2013 Subaru Impreza: complete transmission failure

Filed Jun 27, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · CO

Was driving on I-70 in Colorado going 60-65 mph uphill when all indicator lights came on and AT (Automatic Transition) Oil Temp light began flashing. Check Engine, Hill Assist, ABS, and Traction Control lights all came on steady on. Had to pull over and had significant power loss during driving. Googled what AT Oil Temp light meant and called a tow truck to take to my mechanic. Mechanic initially indicated it could be valve body problem which in his words is a "known issue with Subaru CVT engines." Code pulled was p2764. They ended up pulling the pan and draining fluid and found excessive metal built up on magnet in pan. This pan and headgasket were repaired less than 6k miles ago (October 2020) and at that time they said everything was in good shape so something drastic happened to CVT in less than a year. Mechanic unable to say what caused the excessive buildup in that time. Safety compromised as left on side of very busy highway waiting for tow - we were also concerned with whether or not car would overheat/catch on fire due to AT oil being over 200 degrees. Problem confirmed by our mechanic and indicated that we need a full transmission replacement. No other warnings prior to this event. Maintenance is current and in 2018 performed recall service indicated by Subaru for valve spring issue.

Filed Jan 3, 2020 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · CA

While going 65 MPH on the highway the continuous variable transmission locked up, gas pedal became unresponsive, and the car had to be towed to the dealership. I am thankful that a car was not tailing behind me and that I was not driving during commute hours. Traction assist, hill assist, and check engine at oil temp light came on. At 97,000 miles on the odometer, the dealership said it was transmission failure. Parts in the transmission were replaced; however, due to the nature of the failure and the potential for bodily harm and harm to property, these transmissions should be recalled and replaced as a unit. For a car that has had regular maintenance and that has not driven in severe conditions, it was surprising that a transmission failure should occur at this mileage. While the extended warranty from subaru shows good faith, it does very little to protect the safety of subaru drivers. It is reckless and abhorrent for subaru to be aware of the safety problem and to do nothing to mitigate it.

Filed Nov 2, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · OR

There have been repeated and reoccurring issues related to oil consumption as well as a faulty CVT transmission. Subaru has issued an extended 100,000 mile warranty, but this information was not provided directly to me. I found out about the extended warranty when I took the car in to a mechanic and they had knowledge of the extended warranty. The mechanic recommended I take it to a subaru service center to try and get it covered under warranty. The car had 94,000 miles at the time I was made aware of this on 6/22/18. Since 6/22/18-11/2/19, I have repeatedly had reoccurring issues with both oil consumption and the CVT transmission. The service department has claimed to have repaired issues, but I have never had resolve of any of them. Instead I feel as though I have been told each item has been repaired. If similar issues have occurred, like the oil light illuminating after the short block replacement, I been given the explanation that it is due to software issues that need updating. These excuses have been given repeatedly until the 12 month warranty of the parts in question has then passed. This same thing has occurred with the slipping CVT transmission that I reported on 6/22/18, and now I am being told the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $8,000 out of pocket. The car is not even valued at $8,000 anymore. I would strongly advise research into these faulty parts and the consumer deceit that has occurred to myself and millions of other subaru owners. Deceiving consumers until extended warranty periods pass, and requiring consumers to pay out of pocket should be illegal. I see now why subaru opted for this extended warranty for both of these issues rather than admitting fault and providing a recall. This allows the deceit and subaru taking financial responsibility of repairs to occur by looping in the service department into this scam. Do not buysubaru

Filed Aug 31, 2017 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · NY

On august 14, 2017, while on the highway driving at 65 miles per hour, the engine began to swiftly shift down and completely seized, causing me to have to pull over on the left shoulder. This was about one week after our original transmission was replaced for free (they extended the warranty but didn't issue a recall - why? They told us that they were having problems with 2010 and 2013 impreza transmissions but we had to ask them about a funny sound, no one notified us). The car is now waiting for another new transmission but it must be a big problem because 2 weeks later the transmissions are still on backorder.

Filed Jun 17, 2015 · Transmission · 73,722 miles · NH

Faint whirring noise noted, no other problems- no change to performance, no warning lights indicating problem but when brought to dealership for a check told transmission needed replacement $ 7902.88 never had any problems with this car previously, had routine oil changes (although one time within the first year oil light came on indicating oil was low but it was only 1500 miles from last oil change- brought in and had that taken care of), this car has never been in an accident either. I am perplexed by the need for a new transmission when it is a 2013 and has no issues other than what was stated here. I still own $9200 on it. It has just under 74,000 miles on it ( highway commute).