2016 Subaru Crosstrek: CVT failure

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · IL

The CVT valve body was diagnosed as defective by the Subaru Dealership service department. The car was taken to the dcealership when the A/T OIL EMP, HILL ASSIST, ABS and TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL lights came up. The valve body is still available for inspection. The car was taken to the dealership for a Brake Light Switch recall that has the same simptoms.

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Engine · FL

At 89,000 the transmission was replaced because of a “known issue” and I was having problems. The car would lurch and hesitate coming off traffic stops. This prompted me to go to the dealer who called Subaru who offered to replace transmission, no further questions asked. Less than 20,000 miles later, this new transmission is causing problems again to the tune of $12,000! They refuse to replace it at no charge when they KNOW the CVT transmissions have issues

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Electrical · PA

2016 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 LTD (CVT) When placing vehicle in park, occasionally, will not allow me to remove ignition key when transmission is placed in park position. Safety issue is that I am not able to exit vehicle because if they remains in the car, it will be an easy vehicle to steal. Especially an issue if I am in a parking lot at night or during severe weather conditions. The car dealer and Subaru of America feel that it is my financial responsibility even though there are numerous other Subaru Crosstrek owners that have voiced the same complaint. Subaru has issued several service bulletins acknowledging that there is a defect and that the shifter was redesigned for model year 2019. Subaru Service Bulletin 16-112-18R states "The cause is contamination if the Park-Range switch internal components.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Electrical · 41,000 miles · FL

My key gets stuck in the ignition on the acc position, so I can not leave my car with the key in it because the battery is still on. The vehicle is stationary and in park. I turn the key counter clockwise to turn the car off and remove the key, the key will not go further than the acc position, and no, it is not that I'm not pushing it in enough or the steering wheel lock. I am essentially stuck in my car or at risk of it being stolen. It happens frequently (at least once a day) but not every single time I drive the car. It has made it impossible to drive, and for fear of damaging the transmission or electrical components further I try not to drive it. Subaru is aware of this issue across five other subaru models over five years (2013-2018; legacy, outback, impreza, crosstrek, forester, wrx - until recently their entire lineup!) and issued a service bulletin last year (attached). It is affecting so many other customers, yet they will not fix it. The service bulletin announced a design change to the CVT select lever due to park-range switch internal components. They claim it is "isolated" but a quick search on the internet proves this is not the case.

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Transmission · 384 miles · OR

The lag time on the CVT going from reverse to drive is beyond annoying it is dangerous. It takes 1-2 seconds for the car to move and because of this lapse there is a good chance that the car will lurch. For example, if backing out of a parking space and traffic warrants that you pull back into the space it can lead to a potential out of control situation.