2012 Subaru Legacy: CVT failure

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · WA

My 2012 Subaru Legacy experiences involuntary engine stalling when coming to a quick stop, such as in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden braking at intersections. When the engine shuts off without warning, power steering and braking assist are lost, creating a serious risk of collision. This is a known issue documented by Subaru of America in Technical Service Bulletin 16-90-13R, applicable to 2010–2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles with CVT transmissions. Subaru attributes the condition to excessive thrust washer wear inside the torque converter, which prevents proper release of lock-up clutch pressure. Subaru describes the condition as similar to stopping a manual transmission vehicle without depressing the clutch, which inherently results in engine stalling. Subaru later redesigned the torque converter as a countermeasure beginning in October 2013, indicating prior knowledge of a defect. However, Subaru never issued a recall or notified owners and addressed the issue only through a non-customer-facing service bulletin. I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy to report this safety concern and request assistance with the repair (quoted over $4,000). Subaru acknowledged my concern but declined responsibility, citing the vehicle being out of warranty and stating that TSBs are not customer facing. Subaru did not confirm whether the vehicle is safe to drive with this condition. This issue represents a safety defect, not a warranty dispute. Vehicles that can stall unexpectedly during normal braking events pose a serious safety risk, and many affected vehicles remain on the road today.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Transmission · VA

CVT transmission issues persist beyond the limited warranty extension that has now expired from Subaru. Vehicle RPMs regularly drop from 1000 to 500 when coming to a stop, causing engine to knock as it tries to stall. Vehicle then occasionally hesitates when attempting to move under power. Knocking and near stalling occasionally results in a sensation of vehicle being hit from behind while stopped with vehicle in drive and brakes applied.

Filed Apr 29, 2019 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · MN

115000 miles , sudden stops kills the engine rendering loss of steering control. Cvt transmission torque converter acts as is locks up taking engine RPM down to a stall condition . Happens anytime one has to apply the brakes suddenly. Normal braking car functions ok.

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Transmission · 100,500 miles · UT

Wife was driving car with newborn son when she came to an abrupt stop because someone slammed on the brakes in front of her so she did and the car stalled and stopped on her nearly avoiding being rear ended. On other occasions she would stop on a hill and the car would shudder and come to a stop and die. This is a very dangerous safety concern for any of these vehicles equipped with this CVT transmission. Especially when subaru boasts about how this transmission is completely maintenance free for the life of the car what a joke rectify the problem before somebody dies

Filed Aug 11, 2018 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · IL

I bought this care a few years ago and from day one if ever in traffic or on highway and have to stop really quickly, it will cause the car to stall,, I had no idea what was wrong I loved the car and just avoided stoping abruptly , but as I have learned over the years this is impossible, a car must be able to stop, its life or death serious... To many time to count my 2012 subaru legacy has stalled,,, come to find out subaru is fully aware of this issue and has avoided a recall,,, thing is I am a father so for years I have been driving a car that has this dangerous defect,, very alarming,,, so I contacted subaru directly and because there is not a recall ,, they just gave me the run around,, this problem with the torque converter is widely known,,, this has lead me to filing this report,,, thing is if subaru doesn't want to do a recall at least fix the ones that are brought to your attention, to insure public safety, it is just very unfair and honestly very dangerous,,,, subaru is aware of this problem with the CVT yet has so far dodged a bullet and honestly I have to , just glad I didn't get in a wreck,,,, subaru please make this right

Filed Apr 26, 2018 · Transmission · 98 miles · TX

Car will shudder and almost die or will die when coming to a stop. Was told it was the torque convertor. We have the CVT transmission