2015 Subaru Forester: complete transmission failure

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Transmission · WA

Vehicle: 2015 Subaru Forester Mileage at Failure: 85,000 miles Component: Powertrain – CVT Transmission My 2015 Subaru Forester is experiencing a premature safety‑related CVT transmission failure at approximately 85,000 miles. The vehicle developed a pronounced whining noise that increases with vehicle speed, consistent with internal CVT bearing or pulley failure. This is a known defect pattern in Subaru Forester CVTs and is not related to maintenance or wear. The noise is continually progressing and the risk of sudden catastrophic failure makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. An authorized Subaru dealer and the District Parts & Service Manager (DPSM) both confirmed that the CVT has failed and requires full replacement. This failure occurred well within Subaru’s extended CVT warranty mileage limit of 100,000 miles, and matches the defect pattern Subaru acknowledged when it extended CVT coverage nationwide for this model. However, Subaru is refusing to replace the CVT due to the 10 calendar year extension expiration. Subaru’s maintenance schedule for this vehicle does not require any CVT fluid replacement interval, so there is no missed maintenance that contributed to the failure. A failing CVT creates a safety hazard due to to the risk of sudden loss of power, hesitation, or inability to accelerate. I am filing this complaint so the federal safety agency is aware of this premature CVT failure and the associated safety concerns of SOA's refusal to replace the CVT under their extended warranty.

Filed Jan 4, 2019 · Transmission · 149,500 miles · IA

About 2 weeks ago my car did some bucking and shuddering and the transmission light came on when taking off from a stopped position so I took it into the dealership and they said it needed new transmission that's gonna cost $9000 my vehicle does have a 150000 miles on it but it's never been off road and all the miles on it have been highway miles driving on the interstate not city stop and go

Filed Apr 14, 2018 · Transmission · 18,000 miles · PA

November 28, 2017 ' a subaru transmission warranty extension has been issued for 2010-2015 legacy and outback, 2012-2015 impreza, 2013-2015 crosstrek, 2014-2015 crosstrek hybrid, 2014-2015 forester and 2015 wrx vehicles, all equipped with continuously variable transmissions (cvts) due to consumer complaints. I bought my car used in september 2017. I was never informed that there were potential problems with transmission performance and failures. A transmission failure on a highway could result in injury or death. And yet there has been no recall. I have already started to notice problems with the transmission- jerking while trying to brake and delayed turnover between 2 and 3rd gear. Consumers were not informed of this I found it online. I called the dealer and they verified that there was a warranty extension on the models above and my car is included. When I asked for paperwork the dealer service rep said none was sent to anyone, but the warranty follows the vehicle by VIN #. So, there are potentially thousands of people driving around with transmissions that could fail, but who are unaware. Subaru did this quietly to not drawn attention to the problem. I think there should be an investigation and a recall. Transmission failure on a highway could cause injury or death. Again I feel "jerking" every time I try to break. It's like the car is trying to accelerate instead of coming to a stop. It has stopped so far, but what if it doesn't next time? This problem is constant. I thought it was due to cold but I always warm up my car until the indicator light shows transmission is warm. And the weather has been warm for a few days now and the same thing is happening. I have reported other problems to the dealer that are not safety related and they just blow it off such as the computer is not recording average mpg and average MPH correctly. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 30, 2017 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

Transmission was replaced 5-22-17 under extended warranty. Assured that the vehicle was in working order we drove up to mammoth lakes ca that friday (5-26-17). 2 hours into the drive, just inside the mojave desert, we experienced a abrupt stalling/lunging sensation. Letting off the gas for a moment, I then gave the car a bit more gas and experienced the same sensation again. I pulled over to the shoulder and smelt a chemical/overheating smell. Shut the car off, popped the hood and no smoke. I then turned the vehicle back on and no check engine light or any other light was on. I then put the car into drive and proceeded. The RPM's went to about 4k but the car was not exhilarating. I drove the shoulder of the road for about 1/4 mile into a gas station. At 11pm I had no choice but to pay $600 to have it towed back to ladin subaru of thousand oaks. I am currently awaiting yet another diagnosis. Not sure I feel confident in the vehicle especially if it puts me at risk of being rear ended on a highway. Not to mention the issue occurred just 4 days after it was supposedly fixed! Subaru could potentially be in the hole for $16k as the car is still under its extended warranty. Not sure I even feel confident they can resolve the issue.

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Transmission · 11,350 miles · CA

We were driving approximately 65-70 MPH on the highway on saturday february 20, 2016. The car suddenly began to shake and jerk and we smelled burning rubber. We pulled onto the berm as soon as we could and waited for the tow truck. We knew it was a transmission problem because it was the second transmission placed in the car. We had the car back from the repair shop less than 3 weeks after the transmission and torque converter were completely replaced from the manufacturer's. Subaru has notified us that a new transmission and torque converter plus 4 new tires are being placed in the car now currently back at the dealer in the repair shop. The tires were ruined by the burning tread as they locked up when the transmission stopped working. This will be the third transmission in the car since it was at the manufacturer. This is no longer just a warranty issue it is now a severe safety issue. The car's tires were completely locked when it was being taken off the tow truck. It had to be jacked up and slid off the back of the flat bed ramp.