2010 Subaru Outback: CVT failure

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Transmission · GA

Outback started jerking forward with an increase in RPMs and noise from engine. Malfunction was very alarming and could result in a traffic accident...especially at higher speeds and in traffic. No warning lamps/messages indicated from vehicle. Took vehicle to Subaru dealership and rode with mechanic. Was told by dealership that a new CVT (transmission) is needed at a quoted cost of $9,000+ (with only 110k miles on the vehicle). Found that a warranty extension was offered by Subaru (2017 CVT Warranty Extension Bulletin Number 16-107-17R) for customer complaints about this issue but not a recall. Contacted Subaru of America. Subaru of America offered minimal assistance and would not honor the extended warranty due to just falling outside of extended warranty period (due to driving fewer-than-average miles per year).

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Transmission · NC

CVT was given a warranty extension. Subaru is aware that this is a KNOWN issue, otherwise they would not have given a warranty extension. A loud squealing occurs and a the RPMs increase when driving. This occurs in slower speed areas as well as on the highway. This is a dangerous problem as the transmission could give out while driving on the highway or interstate. The driver would then be forced to slow to a lower mph and possibly cause an accident. Since this is a known problem with this year, a recall should be given for Subaru to repair this CVT problem in all models. At the very least, if a person calls in to have this problem resolved, they should repair the problem since it's a known issue.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 74,870 miles · NY

11/21/2020 at oil temp light, brake light, and vehicle dynamics control lights come on while driving after around 30 minutes on a major route (not highway) after already being "fixed" by a dealership. At the end of august I brought the car to the dealer because all 3 lights had come on after I had arrived near my place of work. I had driven for 35 minutes on the highway and cruising local streets for a spot when they came on. When I first got back to my vehicle after work (I had parked and was waiting until end of day to deal with it) and turned on my car - no lights. I was nearly home when all 3 came back on (35 mintues of highway driving). Took to dealer that weekend where they replaced engine air filter, cabin air filter, CVT- valve body and brake light switch for $1934.97 on 9/21 the lights came back on after driving for around 20 minutes on a 2 lane route. Dealer had the car for 1 week and all they could find / do was change a brake light bulb.

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Transmission · 197,745 miles · TX

Vehicle dies upon somewhat sudden stops such as traffic light changing to red and needing to stop or someone pulling out in front of us etc. This is a severe traffic safety issue and could cause serious injury or death if large vehicle or 18 wheeler etc is following close on highway and subaru dies upon braking and unable to keep moving after brakes applied. We have e-mailed subaru headquarters and they replied as not their problem. We have had a 50 year professional master mechanic business state that is the torque converter is faulty and not allowing the CVT system to work as should when braking and vehicle will die. There is past tsb on this issue but no recall. Do numerous subaru owners need to needlessly die if not already before someone takes responsibility for this serious vehicle safety issue? This defect happens on city streets and highways.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · MN

Vehicle has 116,567 miles developed a squeaking noise at 40 / 60 MPH. After bringing in to dealer was advised the CVT chain was slipping and only thing that could be done is purchase a new transmission or vehicle. The transmission replacement was at a cost of 7900 dollars and no other option was provided to improve safety in the vehicle. I made numerous attempts to have soa provide details on what maintenance could be done to to protect/extend the life cycle of the failing transmission or if the transmission could be rebuilt to improve safe operation. Soa response continues to be they will discuss a loyalty program for a new lease or car but the only option is to replace the transmission entirely.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Transmission · 149,250 miles · IL

Cvt failed at 149,250 mileage. Even though subaru extended warranty to 100,000 or 10 years this vehicle was beyond 100,000 on the odometer and didn't exhibit issues when the extension was issued. I expect subaru to warranty further as their CVT continues to be a problem with vehicles outside of their original and extended warranty. Cost of repair is $7,335 plus cost of rental car.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Engine · 117,000 miles · CT

The CVT transmission is not operating properly. The car stalls just prior to coming to a stop. This is very dangerous in traffic. This is a know problem by subaru to the point that they issued an extended warranty. The problem is that it is very difficult to find any subaru dealer who will properly diagnose the problem to allow for warranty coverage. This should be a recall given the number of vehicles reporting this problem and the unsafe condition that is created.

Filed Mar 16, 2019 · Engine, Lights · 115,000 miles · WA

My vehicle head lights have burnt out at least once a year since I have owned this car. The engine has began stalling when I come to a full stop. It is equipped with a CVT and it feels like coming to a stop in a manual transmission without depressing the clutch. If I let off the brake quickly it will continue idling but coming to a complete stop kills the engine. I guess subaru has issued an extended warranty but I never recieved the notification and my vehicle is past the mileage for the warranty anyway.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · GA

I have owned by 2010 subaru outback only 9 years and I learned that the CVT (transmission) has failed. Searching articles and forums this seems to be a known problem with these models/years. My vehicle is now useless until I pay over $7000 to replace the whole unit. Given that this is a known issue I do not understand why there was not a recall. The extended warranty that subaru offers is not useful given the age of most of these vehicles.

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Transmission · 143,580 miles · CA

I went to timmons subaru in long beach ca.I told them about the tsb-16-90-13r and that my vehicle is doing exactly what that bulletin is showing. I was informed over and over my vehicle was out of warranty. I knew that a wanted them to do the tsb. They refused because their mechanic said it needed a new CVT transmission and they could not do that work. The outback was shaking and vibrating and have low rpms like it was going to stall. I did not trust timmons mechanic so I took to mckenna subaru in huntington beach . They did the tsb and now it works great. It did not need a new CVT transmission and timmons mechanic lied to me and wanted to upsell a new CVT transmission and wheel bearing in his report. They refused to listen to me regarding the tsb.

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · CO

Cvt transmission shudders & stalls after braking while in motion due to torque converter failure. Upon stopping at stop sign, slowing down to make turn, or starting from a stopped position the vehicle shudders then drifts into intersection and stalls while facing oncoming traffic. Failure of torque converter while at intersections is dangerous and frightening. Subaru refuses to assist in cost of significant repair as it was diagnosed 3 weeks out of warranty despite their pledge to customer satisfaction. This issue should be strongly considered for a recall as a known safety issue to subaru.

Filed Nov 26, 2018 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · TX

When braking to a sudden stop, the car shudders and stalls similar to the feeling of stalling out in a car with a manual transmission. The local subaru dealer/service diagnosed the problem as related to the CVT transmission and estimated $2000 to fix. After some research, there was an extended warranty issued for up to 100k or 10 years through july 30, 2018. However, the issue did not start until august of 2018 and my car was well over 100k at that time. There are serious safety concerns in having a car die repeatedly.