Spotlight #13, 2024 Crosstrek & Impreza Recall, Crosstrek Noise

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Here’s what is coming up:

• Adventurer Spotlight #13

• 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza Recall

• Mysterious Crosstrek Noise

• Recommended Picks

• Quick Hit Items in the Wrap-Up

Adventurer Spotlight #13 with @pearl.the.crosstrek

Welcome to the Adventurer Spotlight, an interview series with Adventurers from our newsletter about their life with their Subaru. Here, we find out more about the person behind the wheel and get inspired to embark on new adventures.

Before we get to this month’s feature, I’d like to thank Jonathan / @texas_tiggeru again for being in the previous Spotlight. Now, let’s jump into our lucky 13th edition!

Introduction

My name is Rafael, AKA @pearl.the.crosstrek, and I am a Project Manager for a small architectural and engineering firm. I’m also the host of the Subie & YOU! podcast.

Which Subaru do you own? What do you like most about it?

I own a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, Base model 6 speed manual transmission. I like that it is manual and that it is small and very maneuverable.

Why did you choose a Subaru? How many have you owned?

I chose a Subaru because I liked the Crosstrek. I didn't know much about Subaru, but the Crosstrek was unlike any other car I had ever seen, and it appealed to me. I also wanted a hatchback, and the ability to go off-road, even if I wouldn't be able to often, just having the ability to do so. This is my first Subaru.

Have you made any modifications?

Yes, I have a few. Full set of skidplates, off-road wheels and tires, fog lights, ditch lights, roof rack, custom shift knob, awning, wheel well flares, and decals.

What would you like to add to your setup?

I would love to get an Iron Man 4X4 or equivalent type of lift. A lifted Crosstrek looks so amazing, and for me, where I live, it would be for the look, because there aren't many trails.

Favorite road trip? Or favorite thing to do in your Subaru?

My favorite road trip so far was going out to Colorado with my kids where we met up with Juan @baby_elephant_gx470 (formerly Java Wagon) and Chris @shadow_roo_. They gave me my first off-road experience and also for my kids too. We all had such a great time and I want to make it back out sometime!

Have a favorite picture of your car?

It's hard to pick because there are many I like, but my favorite now is one that shows off my new fender stripes from Accentrek Designs!

Where would you like to travel to next with the Subie?

I would like to go to Arizona. I have been there to visit friends and did some off-roading in his Toyota Landcruiser, but I want to check out some spots with Pearl.

What, if anything, would you do differently, or change, about your Subie?

I would give it more power if that were an option, either to a more powerful NA engine or add a turbo.

Thank you, Rafael! It’s definitely a common request for the Crosstrek to have more power and I feel you on that. Maybe Subaru will hook us up someday. Also, congratulations to you on the podcast crossing 100,000 downloads. That’s a great achievement, and a testimony to your hard work and dedication to the show and the community. Well done!

Be sure to check out the show at https://subieandyoupodcast.com, or in your favorite podcast app. And, check out episode 78 with me!

🚨2024 Crosstrek and Impreza Recall

Subaru is recalling over 35,000 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza models due to a design issue with an instrument panel harness. On affected vehicles, there is insufficient clearance around the harness, which could cause it to contact the steering beam bracket, causing wear/damage to the insulation and possibly leading to a short circuit.

Read the recall report - nhtsa.gov

The company will notify owners in October and will cover the cost of the remedy.

🔎 Mysterious Crosstrek Noise

A popping/tapping noise caught my attention about a month ago in my Crosstrek. After some time, I could determine that the noise only happened when I turned left while accelerating gently from a complete or nearly complete stop. Odd.

As we do, I jumped online and did some Googling, which didn’t turn up much. Neither did YouTube. But when I searched a few Crosstrek groups on Facebook, I found quite a few of us experiencing this noise!

I captured a couple of good videos documenting the noise and shared them on Instagram, and I had several Crosstrek owners reply that they, too, have this noise.

Earlier this month, I had my car in with the dealer for its 6,000-mile/6-month service and asked them to check it. I provided them with the videos for reference. Of course, they could not get it to happen.

Here’s the link to the story posts on IG. Any idea what this might be?

🔗 Recommended Picks

🎁 The Wrap-Up

🥳 We recently hit the 500 subscriber mark for the newsletter! THANK YOU for being here. Any and all feedback is welcome as I really want this to be an enjoyable, and valuable, resource for you.

📅 Reminder: Boxerfest is this weekend (8/20) at York Fairgrounds in York, PA. All the details can be found here.

👕 Pick up a shirt! A fine collection of Subie Adventures T-shirts is available if you'd like to grab one to support the page and newsletter. Thanks!

That’s all for now!

Tom Anderson
Subie Adventures