2018 Subaru Forester: CVT failure

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Brakes · IL

The CVT parking brake switch has failed. The failure leads to the inability to remove the key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in park. This happens repeatedly, with the only temporary solution being to restart the car, and force the shift lever from "park" to "drive" and back again rather violently. Yes, the problem was confirmed by the dealer and by Subaru of America; the latter issued a limited 1-year warranty extension for the issue a couple of years ago, but it has expired without any further extension (before the problem first presented on my car). The vehicle was inspected by a dealer that confirmed the problem and wanted to charge me to repair it. There were no prior messages, warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the problem first happening.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Transmission · CO

The CVT transmission is begining to fail, the car has come near stalling several times and has a very rough/lurching shift while accelerating onto highways and merging. Subaru dealership says it does not qualify for a warranty replacement even though Subaru extended the warranty specifically for this problem.

Filed Jun 14, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · GA

The 2018 Forrester XT was taken to Subaru Dealer (Gwinnett) for a routine 42,000-mile service. There were no issues with the car. Shortly after picking up and driving approximately 30 miles the car stalled twice at traffic lights. The engine was restarted but started to exhibit sluggish and erratic acceleration, especially from 0-45 MPH. The car was taken back to Gwinnett Subaru the next day. They did some data retrieval and found a mass airflow event, cleaned the air filter, test drove the car, and released it to us. The next few days, the same problems were experienced but the car did not stall. At one point, at a traffic light, the car would simply not accelerate even with full pedal pressure which was gradually increased. When it finally did, it was uncontrolled and erratic. Highway driving once speed was reached seemed normal, but any acceleration from a slower speed was problematic. On Monday 6-14-2021 the car was taken back to the dealer due to serious concerns about safety and the possibility of the loss of power when critically needed or when on the highway. The dealer promised to investigate the problem further. That evening, we were informed that it was their assessment that the car would need a brand new CVT transmission. The car has approximately 41,100 miles and we were told that it would be covered by the 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Expected to take 7-10 days for repair.

Filed Apr 14, 2021 · Suspension, Transmission · 2,000 miles · TX

I have AC problems, refrigerant leak, actuator problems, bad compressor. I have serious CVT surging and suspension problems that make vehicle unsafe to drive. The car literally begins to hop like you are stomping the gas and breaks back and forth and can easily make you lose control. It sometimes does nothing when pressing accelerator for way too long making it dangerous pulling into traffic. Windows roll down without pressing button and won't roll back up unless you roll them all the way down first and usually it just rolls right back down again. Aweful trying to drive while fighting with windows that won't stay up. Suspension is so destroyed from the surging and hopping that it cannot be aligned. The vehicle destroys tires rapidly and unevenly. Gas mpg is terrible, especially if you run AC. Steering assist is dangerous and will sometimes jerk wheel away for no reason causing you to scrape curbs and nearly hit a pole once.. Breaking assist is also dangerous as it will slam breaks for no reason. Lane departure beeps a lot for no reason. Wipers are garbage. Windshield glass is too soft and all dust scratches it making visibility poor the trunk often will not open no matter if you push button on key, inside car or on trunk. The door seals fell off, cheap clips fall off that are supposed to hold important things in place, glove box shock broke. I'm sure there are other issues too. Suspension is a big issue however, completely shot from surging. Far too expensive to get whole new suspension. Dealership ignored all complaints and purged all records of visits so I couldn't file lemon law. Subaru is very dishonest. So many things need recall that it is a lemon pure and simple.

Filed Jan 9, 2021 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

A few incidents have happened since the latter half of 2020: while at a stop light that turned green, my car stopped moving for a few seconds despite pressing on the gas pedal and the RPM went up to 6/ loudly revved. I was almost rear ended at this light.the car has also had this lack of movement issue on the freeway while in traffic. My car jerks several times on slight inclines especially after surpassing 40 MPH. Often times, I cannot accelerate past 40 MPH regardless if the drive is on a flat surface or an incline. The RPM will increase, but the gear feels like it will get stuck and the car makes a loud noise. This is the most noticeable going from 40 MPH to 50-55 MPH. These incidents are on city streets. However, power often gets lost going on to freeways for the same reason. I cannot surpass 40 MPH when entering a freeway and was almost sideswiped on the driver's side by an impatient person entering too early where the on-ramp merges with the freeway because of this. While on a freeway, the car will continue to accelerate despite attempting to slow it down by pressing on the brake or coming to a complete stop. This has also happened on city streets and poses a safety issue. The acceleration when this happens is much faster than when I try to manually accelerate the car myself in other contexts, like mentioned above. I believe it is the CVT as this seems to be a common problem with cars of my make, model, and year.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · PA

First, driving on the highway the air conditioner stopped working. Second, the very next day, the vehicle began to make noises (squealing) when driving it anywhere. Streets, turns, hills etc. Then it began race and it felt as if the back tires were racing to catch up to the front tires. There was lurching forward. Shuddering. No dashboard warning lights came on. I called the dealership, then took it to the dealership. It was scary to drive it there. I felt like the transmission was going up. Third, the tailgate, ( in or out) release buttons were not working consistently (repeat complaint). I left the vehicle at the dealership and telephoned subaru of america. This 2018; I had owned for exactly two months. I had only driven the car approx 1200 miles total. Mileage 47,000. The dealer has repaired the AC and CVT transmission. The AC is a known problem and it was the condenser that was leaking and needed replaced. The CVT is also a known problem. The service tech test drove the vehicle and able to duplicate concern. He found the RPM increased and the squealing could be heard. Vehicle would shudder. When he removed the pan he found metal in the oil. Confirming the CVT (transmission) needed replaced. Repairs were made under the extended warranty. Given the information found on the web regarding these problems it was important to report that these problems continue. Safety is concern.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Transmission · NC

On august 23, 2018, I purchased a brand new subaru forester (VIN # (xx)) from southern states automotive in raleigh, nc. On october 30, 2018, I received a notice from subaru of america stating that subaru of america is implementing a warranty extension of 10 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for my vehicle's continuously variable transmission (CVT). On october 31, 2018, at 5:13 pm, I spoke to eric in subaru's customer service division. I asked eric how long subaru had known about problems with their cvts. He stated "two weeks." I stated to eric that I bought a subaru because of its reliability. I asked eric to offer me a lifetime warranty on my CVT. Eric stated there was no way he or anyone in his department could do that. At 7:09 pm on october 31, 2018, I spoke to virgil - a subaru customer service supervisor. I asked virgil to provide me with a lifetime warranty on my CVT. Virgil offered me a $500 service voucher with an expiration date of november 2019. I asked virgil how much it would cost to replace my CVT. He stated "six or seven thousand dollars." he stated there was no one else capable of reviewing my concerns. On november 13, 2018, I spoke to donnie (x) and derrick (x) in the sales department at southern states subaru. Both informed me that they were unable to provide me a lifetime warranty for my CVT. I have paid subaru $11,200 toward the cost of my brand new 2018 forester. I specifically purchased it because of subaru's reputation for reliability. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · 7,650 miles · NV

My 2018 subaru forester xt shut off while driving 2 times on 7/26/18. Nothing happened, no warning lights,it just shut off while driving. And came to a sudden stop in a matter of seconds -I was going 40 MPH. After it shut off the battery light came one, the check engine, and the esp electronic stability light came on. Extreamly heart stopping to have your vehicle shut off/stall, whatever, while on a road, especially a highway. Luckily I was on a street where I could get to the side before it completely stopped. But I had just gotten off the freeway however I commute to work one a freeway. If this happens again today, I pray I'm not on the freeway or anywhere where I can't safely get over on time before I'm hit. It started again no problem, then stalled again in my driveway 10 minutes later. My vehicle is an automatic CVT transmission and shouldn't stall while driving.

Filed May 22, 2018 · Engine · 2,600 miles · TX

2018 subaru forester 2.5i automatic CVT: defective low gear - safety issue. 21 days after purchase took it to durango colorado mountains, put it in low gear before descending and the low gear never kicked in to slow the vehicle down. Stopped multiple times to re-attempt and low gear failed each time. I dared only 40mph on the gravelly switchbacks. Manufacturer & dealer refused to acknowledge defect even though I recorded another instance on texas hills. Mechanic shop in the area said that the car has no low gear failure light so diagnostic machines will never be able to pick up a code that does not exist. The manufacturer refused to fix issue and dealer said diagnostic machine did not find anything. I gave both the video of low gear failure and a japanese & USA article on how low gear works. I offered even exchange for a manual premium. No resolution.

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Transmission · 200 miles · IL

The car will periodically stall for a second or two on occassions when starting out and then accelerate with a jolt. When in traffic this is unacceptable. I understand this may be common with CVT transmissions. If that is the case I question why they are allowed on the road. I wll not purchase another subaru or any other car with a CVT.