Subaru Legacy won't shift problems

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · CO

While traveling approximately 70 mph, my 2016 Subaru Legacy experienced a sudden drivetrain failure. The vehicle made a loud bang, immediately lost acceleration/power, and approximately five seconds later the front drivetrain locked, causing the tires to skid and leaving a long skid mark. The engine remained running. After stopping, the vehicle would not move forward and felt as if it was stuck in Park, but it could roll backward. This occurred without warning and created a dangerous highway situation

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Transmission · MA

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, approximately 48,000 miles. CVT transmission failed suddenly with no prior warning signs. Vehicle was exclusively dealer-serviced for its entire life. While driving, the transmission began shuddering, slipping, and making metallic grinding noises. Vehicle could barely climb a small ramp and was locked in limp mode, making it unsafe to operate in traffic. Diagnostic codes P0841, P0700, and C1431 were stored. Authorized Subaru dealer confirmed the failure. Technician stated the valve body likely failed first — a known defect per Subaru TSB 16-107-17R — which then caused the CVT chain to slip. Dealer quoted $11,000 for a remanufactured CVT replacement. Service representative stated she had never seen a transmission need replacement at such low mileage. No warning lamps or symptoms existed prior to sudden onset. CVT fluid was never changed, consistent with the manufacturer's U.S. maintenance schedule. This vehicle falls under Subaru's CVT Warranty Extension covering 2010-2015 Legacy models due to known defects. Vehicle is well under the 100,000-mile limit but approximately 13 months past the 10-year time limit. I opened a case with Subaru of America Customer Advocacy. My dealer informed me that Subaru Corporate contacted them and communicated a decision regarding my case, but Subaru has never communicated any decision to me directly. Multiple emails, a voicemail, and a request for escalation have gone unanswered over several days. This failure poses a safety risk as the transmission can fail suddenly and without warning while in motion, potentially with passengers including children.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Brakes · MD

Passenger rear brake line corroded and burst causing loss of brake fluid. Due to the loss of brake fluid, I lost 95% of brake pressure making it very difficult to stop. Only reason I say 95% is because the brake system is designed to still function in limp mode, but still terrifying while driving. The problem was discovered by myself as I was a certified technician for over 10 years for this brand. The vehicle hasn’t been looked at by anyone but myself. The brake lamp indicator did come on shortly before the line burst.

Filed Oct 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 162,000 miles · NY

Car loss power and went into limp mode with a solid check engine light and blinking cruise on the dash. The RPM jumped high with out the gas pedal being pushed down. Vehicle was in motion driving at 25 MPH before the aforementioned happened.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 168,565 miles · MT

I had run into a few small problems this winter, like my steering wheel not turning when the car was cold, but I experienced my first major problem while my vehicle was stationary, but had been running. I was going through a drive through, had to put my car in park, then when I went to shift it back into drive, nothing would happen. It was stuck in park. I don't think the problem was temp. Related, it was about 40 degrees outside. After turning the car on/off four or five times I was able to get it going, but my headlights went out, which I thought was strange. While driving home I noticed that the "brake" light was illuminated. The next day, I started my car before work to defrost my windows. The car started just fine (all the electrics worked and the engine was on and running), and I went inside. About 15 minutes later I came back to my car, and the engine had turned off. At first the electrical components worked. My friend came and tested the voltage anyway, because a dead battery is common when it gets cold, and the battery was fine. The warning lights that I noticed were on were the "brake" light, as well as the "ABS" light. After trying to turn it on a couple times, all the electrical components stopped working as well. It will start if I leave it for a few hours, but I am terrified to drive it anywhere to figure out what is going on.

Filed Mar 24, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 12,000 miles · CT

When resumed cruise control, it did not. Instead the steering wheel was uncontrollable and had no direction. Was on interstate 84west in ct. Put on break and then was able to stop the vehicle on side of road. Went to the dealer and told no issue. Also have had gear shifting problems. Was in touch less car wash where the car is in park and when told (flashing sign) to move forward the car would not go into drive. After several attempts, shut car off and then was able to put in drive. On occasions the shifting gear has not remained in park and vehicle has moved forward.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Fuel system · 149,000 miles · NC

Two occurrences so far on wednesday march 23 and tuesday april 5. Vehicle suddenly displays check engine light and the cruise control light flashes and vehicle drops into "limp mode." problem is apparently due to wear on the potentiometers in the drive-by-wire system. This wear causes different readings which makes the motor think something is wrong with the pedal and cuts the vehicle speed to roughly 5 MPH. First occurrence driving along at posted speed of 45 MPH. Second instance trying to leave from a stoplight, got into the intersection and the vehicle speed dropped, was barely able to get vehicle out of intersection. (cel code p 2138 - throttle position sensor)

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle became stuck in park. The failure was recurring. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer, who lubricated the automatic transmission shifter but to no avail. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken back for further diagnosis and it was advised that the part required for the repair was no longer available. The authorized dealer advised the contact to purchase the shift lock module and an authorized dealer would repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 75000. Updated 06/10/14 ma the consumer was informed, the part was no longer available. Updated 07/23/14

Filed Jan 8, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 72,300 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the cruise control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle would not accelerate and engaged into limp mode. The contact shut the engine off and after restarting the vehicle, the contact was able to drive without failure however, the warning lights continued to illuminate. The failure recurred three times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 72,300. Updated 1/30/13 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle didn't immediately go into limp mode, but it did after a period of 2-10 minutes after the hazard lights illuminated. Updated 01/31/13

Filed Mar 19, 2011 · Transmission · 141,225 miles · CA

Automatic transmission problem: hesitates going into gear. Get stuck in neutral. Shift through the gears to see if it will go into gear. Then try revving engine to slip it into gear. It can suddenly catch into gear and then the car surges forward or backwards, causing a dangerous situation. According to complaint sites on the internet, this is a common problem in 5 years of subaru vehicles. This is not acceptable. Repair shop said the seals are "going" and I will likely need a new or rebuilt transmission. Subaru should acknowledge the problem and offer a free fix. The car slipped into gear in a parking lot the other day (finally) and my car surged forward, almost hitting another car. I am no longer driving this vehicle (too dangerous).