2011 Subaru Outback: CVT failure

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · VA

2010-2018 TR580 Outback Torque Converter Lock-up failure symptoms in TSB 16-90-13R fits my 2011 Subaru Outback. 2.5I Premium, (TSB) Originally issued on 1/6/2014 + later revised on 5/7/2014, Early yrs of the TR580 suffer from TCLUF, which causes stalls + bogs down during stops or idling at traffic lights, premature wear, valve-body/solenoid failure, overheating, breakdown of transmission fluid/coolant + Catastrophic Chain Failure. These issues were exacerbated by Subaru specifying these transmissions have a "lifetime fluid" that never has 2 be replaced. Most Subaru failures were related 2 fluid breakdowns. The Subaru lineartronic CVT, designed in house by Subarun2 integrate w the company's longitudinal boxer engines + AWD system, built by Subaru in Ōizumi, Town in Ora District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. lineartronic launched about 7 yrs after Nissan's 2003 X-Tronic CVT arrived here. Nissan had lots of trouble w early CVT's which led 2 transmission failures. As is the case w most new tech in a specific market sector, especially CVT's, the most Subaru CVT problems occurred in the 1st few model yrs. Each time my family or myself drive we are putting our lives in dire jeopardy, risk + danger of wrecking + even lost of life, too many close calls by peeps that almost rear ended us at a light, because of bogging down or almost stalling. The engine shudders + RPM drops very low as the vehicle stops, feeling as though a man trans car is stopping w/o a clutch being pressed. The problem was never fixed or looked into by 2 different dealerships + even though Subaru issued TSB 16-90-13R, identified wear of internal torque converter thrust washer as that wear can prevent lock up clutch from releasing properly, effectively keeping engine mechanically connected 2 transmission as vehicle stops. Subaru's corrective part used a needle bearing design instead of the earlier solid bushing. [XXX] on test drive about issue + was told nothings wrong, Car got inspected every yr since 16 w INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF

Filed Aug 23, 2025 · Transmission · VA

My CVT Transmission started having problems with the Valve Body inside the transmission. On acceleration from a complete stop my vehicle would start "bucking" hard causing a violent back and forth rocking or "jerking" of the drive train and vehicle. I did not request a inspection of the failed Valve Body when I paid to have it replaced. The life and safety of myself and others are at severe risk of injury or death resulting from a complete failure of the Valve Body component when driving on highways or other roads because without any warning the vehicle will come to a complete stop which would cause a rear end collision possibly at highway speeds. Also I'm concerned about the Torque Converter having a failure because of the intense pressure from the failed Valve Body with the constant "bucking" on acceleration. I took my vehicle to both a independent transmission shop and a Subaru Service Center and the Independent Transmission Shop told me I needed a new transmission and the Subaru Service Department kept telling me they didn't know what was causing my vehicle symptoms. Subaru of America extended the warranty on my vehicle to 100,000 miles because of the problems with their CVT Transmissions but because I bought my vehicle used with over 100,000 miles on it they refused to either pay for 50% or 100% of the replacement cost. No warning Lights came on but when the Valve Body completely fails then the warning lights will illuminate. My Subaru Case Number that was DENIED is (Case# 250820-1801058) for Subaru extended warranty for CVT Transmission.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Transmission · MN

Transmission failed on my 2011 Subaru Outback as I was entering the freeway, putting me in a very dangerous situation and at risk for being hit by other drivers. I didn't know it was transmission failure until I took it to a service center and they told me my transmission had failed and would need to be either rebuilt or replaced. Multiple dash warning lights came on as the car was stalling out. The repair cost me $5,600 to rebuild. The dealer said they would only replace it at a cost of $8,900. Neither dealer or Subaru customer service were helpful. I've taken very good care of the car, done routine maintenance and it only had 119,000 miles on it. The transmission shop said they are seeing a number of failures with the CVT transmission.

Filed May 1, 2022 · WA

My 2011 Subaru Outback with the automatic CVT transmission has recently started stalling and dying entirely when coming to an abrupt stop. Or even coming to a stop in general, regardless of speed. This having started within the last month or so around the begging of March, 2022. My vehicle has just passed the 10 year mark and is still currently under 100k miles, currently at 96k. After much research and a few trips to the mechanic, I have found that this is a common issue regarding the torque converter within many Subaru vehicles. I have also found that this was such a common issue that this should have been labeled as a recall. But have discovered that this was an “extended warranty” concern instead. That being said, I have, on more than one occasion, come to a stop in traffic with my child in the car and my car just dies in the middle of the road. Which is entirely unsafe and in my opinion deserves a recall.

Filed Nov 9, 2021 · Transmission · AL

I have a 2011 Subaru Outback with ~`40k miles. After buying the vehicle in late 2020 I began to notice the vehicle shuttering and shaking when coming to a complete stop or when I begin to reverse and when the vehicle shutters there is a significant RPM drop. The shuttering issue occurs randomly and is concerning but the bigger issue is that the vehicle has also stalled after coming to a hard stop twice in the last year. When braking hard from 60 mph to avoid vehicle the vehicles engine stalled out. When this occurred I had to place the vehicle in park then restart the engine. As of today I have never seen a warning message or anything that would let me know that there was an issue. When researching the topic I found that this is a known issue by Subaru related to a faulty thrust washer in the CVT and a TSB, 16-90-13r was issued but was not directly communicated to the customer. The warranty was extended to 100k miles but the vehicle was purchased at 128k miles and I was told that the repair would not be covered since it fell outside the extended warranty. Thankfully when the car stalled there was not a vehicle behind me and I was visible on the road but this issue poses great risk to safety since one loses power to the vehicle. Also, the symptoms of the failure would leave the average driver to think it was a more common issue ( pad, caliper, tire balance) which would be misdiagnosed.

Filed Jun 6, 2021 · Transmission · CT

2010-15 Legacy/ Outback 2.5L CVT Garavel Subaru dealer expensive fixing and some cars have recalls.

Filed May 5, 2021 · Transmission · CO

The installed CVT transmission has developed a leak at 115,000 miles or less. The only solution offered by subaru as a means to repair the seal leak is to install and entirely new transmission at a cost of $7,000. The transmission is not bad - the seal is. There was a warranty extension specifically due to this issue with this CVT transmission and model year - and we are only just out of the covered period. The CVT was incorrectly designed initially, and the potential for injury or accident due to not addressing the issue is high. Subaru has not offered any solution at this point, and has suggested that we 'buy another model'. Thanks for nothing. A powertrain on a subaru should last - and is reputed to last - upwards of 200,000 miles. We got a lemon.

Filed Mar 30, 2021 · Transmission · WA

My vehicle loses power and stalls in traffic when slowing down on a city street. This is a common issue with the torque converter in subarus made around this year. Subaru is aware of this issue and has even issued a service bulletin regarding this problem. They also extended the warranty on the CVT because of so many complaints regarding this issue but have not issued a recall. This is extremely unsafe and stalling in traffic could cause serious injury and death. There should be a recall on this defective torque converter.

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

2011 subaru outback with CVT transmission stalls when coming to an abrupt stop. Subaru has a tsb and knows there is an issue with the torque converters in these cars. The vehicle stalled coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of an intersection. This is a major safety issue that should be corrected via recall of CVT model 2011 outbacks.

Filed Dec 6, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 95 miles · NJ

Engine stalling. When stopping at red light, engine shut down a few times. Once I lost all electricity and maneuverability of the car. I also had ignition problems. The car won't start sometimes. I brought to dealership 4-5x and my car spent a month at dealer. They cannot find the cause. I read this could be due to CVT transmission. I bought my car from a subaru dealer two and a half years ago and only drove 7k miles. Current mileage is 95k. Subaru extended warranty of my model to 10 years for transmission. But so far they couldn't do anything. I think this should be a recall. When my car stalled, I had to call police as my car blocked the road and cause traffic jam. This is a road hazard. Thank you.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Transmission · IA

I purchased this as a used vehicle as is with 130,000 miles. It was within a couples weeks that I noticed the vehicle would die every time I would brake at an intersection or stop sign/light. Thankfully, I live in a small town, but do occasionally travel to larger cities. As you could imagine, this is quite dangerous at busy intersections!!! I just recently hit 135,000 miles and now have another issue! At highway speed, it will intermittently hesitate, the RPM gauge jumps up and it makes a screeching noise. After researching on line, it appears that several consumers have complained about both issues. They are both caused by a problem with the CVT and that subaru has made no attempt to correct the issue? I am a middle-class consumer and can not afford a brand new vehicle, so when I do purchase a used vehicle, I try to find something that has a history of being reliable and long-lasting. This vehicle is neither!!!

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · MN

The randomly stalls when trying to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. This has happened on numerous occasions, and has left me and my son stalled in the middle of an intersection on a few occasions. On one occassion, we were almost hit by a car entering the intersection. In addition to this, the at oil lights up whenever traveling longer distances. The mechanic has said the car has a failing transmission. I contacted soa due to the the extended warranty they have on the vehicle. The car meets the 10 year time-frame of the extended warranty but they will not honor the extension because of the miles which were 132,000. I just bought the car put maybe $1000 miles on it before the transmission started giving us problems. There is a documented issue with the subaru 2011 CVT that requires a recall, not an extended warranty. Look all of the internet on customers having their CVT transmission fail at just over 100,000 miles and being stuck with $7000 repair bills.