2011 Subaru Legacy transmission problems

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CT

An issue has surfaced with my car that it turns off while driving. Obviously this is a serious safety hazard and likely to result in an accident. Now that it has happened, it is continuing and frequently happening. I reached out to Subaru as I saw there was a recall for my car's make and model that is causing the same issue. The issue is listed as the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000, described as "The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. " and affecting many Subarus, including the 2011 legacy. I believe my car is impacted given the behavior it is exhibiting. When I reached out to Subaru, they dismissed it saying it did not apply to my car and they were not willing to investigate. I believe this poses a grave risk to many people given that it will cause an accident and the severity of the defect.

Filed Oct 19, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

The week after purchase: The car shuts off when braking and needs to be put into park to be started again. Also the check engine light came on and I wonder if it has electrical issues.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Transmission · OH

Sometimes as I'm coming to a stop, such as at a red light or a stop sign, just before I stop, the car lurches and then stalls. This is an automatic transmission car, but the best way I can think of to describe what is happening is it is acting as if it is a manual transmission, and when you come to a stop and don't press in the clutch. If this happens at an inopportune time, it could cause an accident. Possibly you're slowing down as you turn through an intersection and it lurches and stalls. You would then be stopped in the middle of the intersection. There are no warning lamps or messages before this happens.

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Transmission · NY

It's a 6mt. Randomly reverse stopped working. Seems like it wants to go in reverse. But when any bit of gas pedal pressed it grinds and pops out of reverse. I have no reverse. 1st thru 6th gear works shifting wise. Shifter has some play though.

Filed Apr 25, 2021 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · NJ

First the vehicle started with a screeching noise and the RPM's would spike. Apparently if the CVT transmission slipping. I took the vehicle in variations occasions to the dealer. Reached out subaru USA. Sent video of the occurrence and they indicated they could not classify the occurrence and found it inconclusive. I notice it would occur in temperatures lower then 45 degrees fahrenheit. Months later the vehicle started flashing various warning lights such as check engine, cruise control, vehicle dynamics control. Took the car to local dealer and was diagnosed as a oxygen sensor. But what started occurring after the repair was startling and dangerous. The vehicle now started stalling out when I pressed on the brakes to stop. On long drives this would not occur. It often happens when driving locally and stopping at intersections. What I learned to and implemented was as the stalling was starting to occur you would get a jittering from the vehicle I would shift the car to neutral and the car would not stall. This is neither the norm or safe, but safer then stalling in an intersection with vehicles coming at you. This issue still continues to occur. I have not bothered with the dealer nor subaru because my last issue with the transmission was never resolved, I'm able to counter the stalling but my wife who has to go out with my 1yr old son and 10 yr daughter is scared to use the vehicle because if it was to stall in an intersection as she is trying to cross in the vehicle a major accident can occur. Please help and investigate this issue that I am sure it is happening to other subaru owners. Thank you

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to properly downshift causing the vehicle to stall. During the failure, the power steering and power brakes also become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power train torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer subaru city of milwaukee located at 4640 s 27th st, milwaukee, wi 53221 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.*dt consumer stated his daughter [xxx] is the owner of the vehicle.

Filed Mar 6, 2021 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · NY

2011 subaru outback with CVT stalls when coming to a abrupt stop. Subaru has a tsb and knows there is an issue with the torque converter. Car is out of the warranty period therefore customer must pay for the fix. This is a major safety issue that should be correct via a recall.

Filed Oct 2, 2020 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · ID

Engine stalling when depressing brakes dash lights all coming on no cruise control no traction control at oil light check engine light. Dangerous in driving this car.subaru will not help fix

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 123,000 miles · CA

Changed out the timing belt as part of recommend service by subaru only to learn that the head gaskets were leaking and it's a known problem with all subarus built before 2013. Subaru is aware of the problem, and has created a conditioner that is added to the cooling system as a "band aid."

Filed Mar 20, 2020 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NH

Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop. It started out being sporadic, didn't happen too often. Then gradually the stalling happened more often until it's to the point where it stalls almost every time it is driven. Found out it is a known problem of the torque converter, which can cause metal shavings to go into the transmission, which could cause that to go as well. With children in the car on a regular basis this is terrifying, what if someone hits the car due to the engine stopping? Subaru says it isn't covered under extended warranty because of the mileage in the car. If it's a known issue shouldn't it receive more concern/checkups to ensure that part isn't failing?