2012 Subaru Impreza: complete transmission failure

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Airbags · 88,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that there was a defective gasket on the transfer case and the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. The contact stated that while a relative was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where a code reader determined that there was a defect with the front passenger’s side air bag sensor. A dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Transmission · NY

I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerate. I pulled over and turned the car off as recommended in the owner's manualAfter following the manual's instructions to let the engine cool down, I attempted to turn the car on and put it in gear. It would not move when I put it in reverse or drive. The transmission failed entirely. Previous to my taking the car on this trip, I brought the car to my Subaru Dealership because I smelled the same burning in the cabin along with a strange whirring sound and the transmission light came on then too. At that time, I pulled over and read the owner's manual and did what it recommended. The car started working again after 10 minutes of cooling. This is why I brought the car to the Subaru dealership to have this issue inspected. At the time they recommended that I change the CVT fluid and that the issue would then go away. The issue did not go away. When I informed them that the car was unsafe and dangerous to drive because of the jerking and violent shuddering, they told me that I should trade the car in or pay for a new transmission. They did not tell me that the 2012 version of the car had a history of issues with its CVT, and that some of the repairs were covered under warranty.

Filed Jun 20, 2021 · Transmission · 102,926 miles · MA

Two instances of CVT Transmission failure. First: Occurred at 102,926 miles, car only 8 years old. While driving, suddenly many warning lights came on and the car started shuddering. The lights were Check Engine, Oil Temp, Cruise Control, vehicle dynamics, and ABS. I drove my car to a transmission shop, who read the codes 2764 and and 0700. He replaced the TCC Solenoid and valve body on 11/18/2020. I drove the car for 6 more months to ~106,000 miles successfully, until... The Second Issue: On 6/6/21 while driving my car, it stopped accelerating. I couldn't go above 18 mph! This was a huge safety issue. I had to drive on major roads with a speed limit of 50mph going only 18mph, with my hazard lights on. I'm so fortunate it happened to be at 10pm on a Sunday night, or I could have gotten in an accident. Once I got home, I called AAA and had them tow my car back to my transmission mechanic (because I couldn't get to my mechanic without getting on the highway, which would obviously be unsafe at 18mph). My mechanic said it was an issue with the same solenoid again having shorted out, which means that it's actually a deeper issue with the CVT transmission burning through solenoids. The solenoid is just a symptom, not the root problem. Then, I finally googled Subaru solenoid issues, and I discovered this is a well documented problem, that has already been reported to your office, and yet Subaru has not yet issued a recall. Only an extended warranty, which only goes up to 100,000 miles so it doesn't help me!! My transmission wore out at 102,000 miles. Do you think it's a coincidence that Subaru made their warranty for 100,000? I'm lodging this complaint in hopes that your office sees the CVT transmissions are still a safety issue, and the warranty hasn't solved the problem. Please get Subaru to issue a recall! This is unacceptable behavior from a car manufacturer. Thank you.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Transmission · 146,358 miles · MA

Was driving at 60 MPH normal highway speed and bunch of lights came on the dash while driving. Trouble codes pulled on scan tool were p2764 and p0700, these codes indicated bad solenoid on CVT transmission valve body therefore had to replace the CVT valve body. Car has 146,000 miles however CVT has been properly maintained and CVT fluid replaced every 30,000. Subaru is hiding the issues with the CVT model tr-580 and purposely extending the warranty only up to 100,000. I believe they know the CVT will fail after 100k and don't want to put out the money to issue a proper recall. The options to fix the issue are either CVT valve body replacement or full transmission replacement which are both very costly. Subaru needs to issue a proper recall because I worry that my replacement of valve body could mean I still need to replace the entire CVT transmission if something else fails on the internals in the near future.

Filed Mar 10, 2020 · Engine · 125,000 miles · CO

Bought the car used 90k miles in 2017. It is now at 125,000 and the transmission has completely failed. The car is accelerating and reving even when decelerating. I took it to the mechanic and was told I need a total replacement. I drive less than 20 mi/wk with the occasional roadtrip. This car should have lasted for many years but, this problem is known given that subaru has offered extended warranties in regards to this transmission failure.

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Engine · 120,000 miles · OR

Cvt transmission failure, while vehicle was moving on highway

Filed Aug 2, 2019 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · WA

Subaru CVT - known issue my 2012 subaru's CVT transmission failed without warning while in motion at 60mph driving in the left hand lane of a busy interstate. The car/engine had regular maintenance as directed by the maker, however without warning the transmission failed putting the driver and three passenger's lives at risk. Subaru has acknowledged issues with this specific transmission, however an extension of the warranty is not an appropriate intervention when potentially catastrophic accidents could occur without warning. This was a well maintained vehicle with no identifiable signs that the transmission could fail. Subaru should be held accountable for these failing CVT transmissions.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Transmission · MO

My vehicle transmission has been slipping and the dealership notified me at 103,923 miles that it requires a new transmission. This is 3,923 miles outside of the extended warranty for a known transmission issue. The quote I was given to replace is $8,900 (more than the value of the car). I notified subaru customer service to see what can be done. The said they would only pay $3,500 and I would have to pay for the rest. This seems ridiculous considering there is a known issue. I have a small child and I am terrified to drive in the car with him now.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (curry subaru, 3040 e main street, cortland, ny 10567) where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2018 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to stohlmans subaru (8435 leesburg pike, vienna, virginia) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. In addition, the struts, muffler, and rear brake pads were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 1-35452451016. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · NY

Transaxel/transmission failure