2014 Subaru Forester: CVT failure

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Transmission · CA

When cruising about 25mph the car gave a jolt, stalled, and then would speed back up again. All lights then flashed on. I brought it to the dealer and they did a diagnostic check coming back for CVT transmission. They also confirmed it is a known problem and had extended the warranty to when 100,000 miles or 10 years which is around or prior to when most people confirm the issue. There was no warning signs I was aware of leading up to the failure of the transmission.

Filed Sep 13, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CA

After running 86,000 miles (Plus or minus), we had to bring the car to Livermore Subaru because of the noise o the middle section of the car WITH OUT any warning lights. In turns out, after extensive diagnostics testing, “the noise is coming from the inside of the CVT transmission assembly” with the estimate of $11,784.38 for a new transmission. We requested to extend the transmission warranty as NOTED Service Bulletin Number 16-107-17R dated 06/21/17 and revised on 11/09/17 for our Subaru Forester 2014. Our records show recurring CVT transmission issues, which we have consistently reported: - March 3, 2020: At 58,543 miles, Diablo Subaru noted issues with high RPM and improper shifting. Diagnostic tech notes indicated transmission problems. - November 20, 2020: At 61,023 miles, Diablo Subaru addressed a transmission valve body replacement and identified a fault in the pressure control circuit. - October 5, 2022: At 72,593 miles, Diablo Subaru found transmission fluid seepage . The oil leaks from front timing cover , leading to repairs and reseal costing $2,468.51. - August 22, 2024: At approximately 84,000 miles, Livermore Subaru confirmed the need for a CVT transmission replacement. Given our history of reported issues and diligent maintenance, The initial CVT transmission problems noted on March 3, 2020, should have been addressed under the warranty and extended warranty provisions. We have always adhered to recommended maintenance schedules and promptly addressed any issues. Unfortunately Subaru of America, insisted that because of the age will not extend the warranty for the transmission.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Engine · IN

I've been having issues over the past 4 years with my vehicle overconsuming oil. I took it into the dealer 2 years ago and they performed a consumption test. They said everything fell within the normal range Subaru has established. I have to have an extra thing of oil in my vehicle at all times in case it gets low. Yesterday, my vehicle gave me all sorts of warning lights. I took it in today and am having to replace the CVT Valve Body. It appears this is an issue with Subaru's from 2014. I've spent a lot of money over the past few years trying to figure out why my vehicle is acting up. I only have 67,000 miles on it after owning it for 11 years.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Transmission · IL

2014 Forester @ 150k miles, CVT Failure. Check Engine Lights, AT Oil Temp Warning, Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0700 (Transmission Control Module) & P2764 - (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Low) Sect 11-16 of Owners Manual states: "It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level." But Subaru Warranty & Maintenance guide recommends inspection of CVT fluid @ 30/60/90/120k miles. Mine was never low or bad. There is no owner serviceable parts to the CVT. No dipstick to check fluid level. Page 37 of Warr & Maint guide Notes 4 & 9 state: "4. When the vehicle is frequently operated under severe driving conditions**...CVT fluid replacement should be performed every 24,855 miles." and "9. The ATF filter is a maintenance free part." Under "Examples of severe driving conditions" only item "g. Repeated trailer towing." applies to Note #4. I do not even have a trailer hitch, therefore, no extreme driving conditions. I noticed hesitation, slipping, lull in forward movement, shaking at idle, lurching. Because of this, I requested CVT fluid change at 138k miles even though service technician had previously said fluid was ok. No noticeable improvement after this fluid service. At 150k miles, dashboard warning lights came on for Check Engine, AT Oil Temp, Traction Control Light, Hill Assist, Cruise Control, AntiLock Brake System. Took vehicle to Subaru dealership service immediately. First they recommended CVT fluid change, which I agreed to. Upon completion, all warning lights came back on. They now recommend replacing CVT valve body unit for $2200. SoA has issued a recall (Dec 2019) only on Subaru Ascent vehicles for faulty CVT transmissions, but not for other vehicles with the same problems. CVT failure can lead to safety issues such as vehicle stalling, lurching forward, going in reverse, and shifting unexpectedly while driving. Subaru of America should issue a recall for all vehicles with faulty CVT transmissions.

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · Transmission · ID

CVT transmission has very noticeable whining noise while the car is moving; car stutters and does not drive smoothly. Unsteady drive train motion almost resulted in an accident and has put my family's safety at risk. Car was taken to the Subaru dealer and diagnosed with complete transmission failure. Dealer has stated that the car should not be driven in its current condition. I asked the dealer's service representative if the car was unsafe to drive and he would not answer my question. Car has 131,041 miles. Estimated cost provided by the dealer to replace the transmission is $8,971.63. Subaru provided an extended transmission warranty; however, my car is beyond the 100,000 mile limit.

Filed Dec 28, 2020 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · VA

Failure of the continuous variable transmission (CVT) is a known and dangerous defect for certain models of subarus. Subaru of america issued an extended warranty in 2018 which partially addressed CVT problems, but fell short of a recall, which is what customers deserve and are owed. Additionally, this extended warranty only recognized problems with specific CVT components, but omitted other CVT components that are known to fail. In december 2020, the CVT on my 2014 subaru forester failed in motion and the vehicle became undrivable. The dealership (casey subaru of newport news va) made the necessary repairs, which subaru deemed not covered by warranty, at the cost of $1931.36. The receipt is attached. Subaru of america has demonstrated negligence on this defect, and disregard for its customer's safety and satisfaction. I am asking the federal safety agency to address this problem on behalf of all affected subaru owners by issuing an immediate recall.

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · CT

A few weeks ago the vehicle began to have difficulties shifting/accelerating from a stop it would feel like it was slipping and not responding to the accelerator . It has been evaluated as a transmission failure at a cost of $10,000. I purchased the vehicle new and purchased an extended warranty that would cover the power train up to 100,000 miles. The vehicle has had all scheduled maintenance performed and all of it at the same dealer service center with documentation. This includes a 90,000 mile service where the transmission was included in the preventive maintenance check and indicated as no issues. The vehicle has only been used for normal driving. No hauling or towing and no heavy cargo. The transmission should not fail only 12,000 miles outside of the warranty that I purchased and having been serviced appropriately and inspected within 20,000 of the current issue. Subaru of america is not covering the replacement under warranty for what appears to be a known safety issue that required them to extend this same 100,000 warranty coverage to all vehicles from this model year under what I understand to be a class action lawsuit settlement. The loss of acceleration and slipping in the shifting when powering away from a stop is dangerous if the vehicle stalls or suddenly slows due to loss of power and this is due to a known CVT issue. Subaru should be held accountable for all the vehicles they produced with this defect and not be able to hide behind a a lawsuit settlement that allowed them to leave vehicles like mine on the road as ticking time bombs all because the symptoms of the issue didn't show up before 2018 or a only 12,000 miles outside of their own warranty that they sold.

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · CA

Valve body solenoid inside the CVT transmission failed and fully locked up. Subaru states that their CVT transmission never needs to be serviced but covers the CVT to 100,000 miles. Shorty after a hundred thousand miles, the valve body solenoid failed and subaru of america denied coverage. Had a third party mechanic replace the CVT and upon inspection, the CVT fluid in the old CVT transmission was dark, dirty and thick. Chunky or gooey what describe it. Subaru states the CVT transmission never needs to be maintained, yet no motor oil or transmission oil can go on forever.

Filed Aug 3, 2019 · Transmission · 56,861 miles · NY

Cvt transmission failure of my 2014 subaru forester touring 2.0 turbo model. When I put the car into park and turned off the car after driving, it did not turn off the dashboard lights, the belts were still spinning and I had to remove the battery to shut it off. 1 week later the battery was dead. I jump started and the engine light and other alerts were all lit. When I brought the car to my mechanic, he ran diagnostics and said the transmission will need to be replaced. The car is only 5 years old. Top of the line subaru and I only have 56,860 miles on the car.

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · MA

1) CVT valve kit damaged (3 years old) 2) but main reason for this compliant is rear coils breaking, I do not know but they have been broken for some time causing rear bearings and rear shocks damage. Did some research and found everyone w/ 2014 thru 2015 foresters are having this problem at any mileage. Told dealer and they said subaru knows of this problem but has not issued a recall? The average person will not realize their coils could be broken like me until bearings and shocks fail ..... This sounds like a major issue to me?

Filed Aug 21, 2017 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · KY

Cvt 2.5i 70k mileage. On 8/12/17, while driving on interstate highway nonstop for 310 miles, with cruise on 76 MPH, transmission suddenly and without warning went "out of gear." engine rpms raced to over 5,000 but car was out of gear. No propulsion whatsoever. It felt exactly like when a manual transmission pops out of gear or is shifted into neutral by accident ay speed, but this is an automatic transmission. Shift lever had not been touched. Transmission just felt like it "gave way." I shifted into neutral and coasted to the shoulder and engine died. "check engine," "vehicle dynamics control," and battery charge warning" lights lit ... Maybe others. Engine died. Put in park. Waited a couple of minutes and then restarted engine. It ran rough for a few seconds then smoothed out and we drove 2 miles to fill up gas and proceeded another 100 miles or so without difficulty. 2 dealers never responded to my inquiry. Drove around town for a few days without incident. Then, on 8/20/17 while again driving non-stop for over 300 miles and again with cruise control set on 74, the exact same thing happened again. No warning. Suddenly "out of gear." engine revs spiked. Warning lights came on. Coasted to shoulder. Shut down engine for maybe 20 seconds then restarted engine and proceeded on without incident to refuel and resume trip. Was almost rear-ended by a tailgater this time since he was driving so close to me when I suddenly lost propulsion. Bought car new over 70k miles ago and had never experienced anything like this before 8/12/17 and now it has happened twice within 8 days and under very similar conditions. Very dangerous situation.

Filed Mar 29, 2016 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. While driving at various speeds, the transmission gears were grinding. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced, which had been previously replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 58,000.