2011 Subaru Outback: complete transmission 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 Sep 24, 2024 · Body, Brakes · FL

Bought vehicle from Carvana, immediately noticed transmission shudder issues when driving near 50 mph. Brought vehicle in to multiple repair facilities. It had warped brakes, bad calipers, needed a new torque converter at least and the repair shop recommended a total transmission replacement. The whole vehicle shakes when driving near that speed or braking.

Filed Sep 24, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · IN

Transmission failure at 55mph my couldn't shift and the motor revved up all the way to the redline mark and wouldn't stop when I tried to stop it the reaction control lights came on the cruise control light was flashing the emergency break light was flashing every light on my dash was flashing there was a terrible vibration in the steering wheel the Transmission was humming really loud and just got worse the car just kept going and not stopping I could have hit someone another person a car I could have hit anything instead I choose the ditch and cornfield the car has been looked at by a repair shop and everything has been duplicated by them the problem hasn't gone away or changed all the codes were cleared and as soon as it starts up they all came back signaling the transmission and torque converter the sounds are still there also upon start up the engine starts fine but the car can't be driven can't get above 15 mph without vibration and loud noises and the motor revving up without notice this is very dangerous you can't control the car

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 Apr 4, 2022 · Transmission · AZ

Vehicle has under 90k miles been regularly maintained and serviced. While driving engine light came on for engine overheating. Stopped driving vehicle. Called local Subaru dealer for diagnostic. Diagnostic revealed several unknown problems including transmission needs to be replaced. Since vehicle has under 100 k miles and is only 11 years old. I could not believe that this problem occurred ( note transmission replacement is over $8000). I took the vehicle in for a second opinion to local AAA shop. They informed me that Subaru issued a technical service bulletin for that year model Outback about the very problem I am having. After an online search of information about this problem I found several owners with the same problem and NO admission or assistance from Subaru. This is an expensive fix for a problem Subaru which Subaru is aware. This is a very dangerous problem because the vehicle will die on the road while in traffic that could cause high risk of an accident with injuries and possibly death. I have written to Subaru North America for assistance. So far no response. I believe this a possible recall because most of the complaints noted the problem occurs around 100K miles. And Subaru has done nothing to mitigate this problem.

Filed Sep 2, 2021 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and then had her brother-in-law continue driving manually to an independent mechanic. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty transmission and torque converters. The mechanic replaced the transmission with a used transmission with lower miles. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · Transmission · UT

Transmission was repaired with a new valve body at 119,000 miles. This was as a result of the TSB 16-90-13R released by subaru. The car now has 137K miles on it, and in researching the issue, the torque converter was not replaced when the work was done. Now the torque converter has fully failed and has damaged the transmission to where it needs replaced. The vehicle cannot be repaired under warranty despite the release;atively recent partial warranty repair. This car was stalling multiple times before it finally failed. We were quoted $6936 to replace transmission, but this is more than the car is worth.

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 Dec 5, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · NM

My vehicle accumulates a lot of highway miles. These are easy and unstrenuous to and from work. Over the past 3 months I had my vehicle misdiagnosed three times when I was complaining of transmission problems. As I have just broken 125,000 miles my vehicle gets diagnosed with needing a new head gasket and a new transmission. Costing easily more than the vehicle is worth. Subaru it not willing to back their vehicles. The vehicle should be lasting well past 125,000 without major mechanical problems like these that could have ended in serious injury. At this point nothing has been done to rectify what could have been an unsafe situation had I not continually prompted them to properly diagnose the problem. At this time my vehicle is unsafe to drive and has been over the past few months due to these issues.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · CA

I purchased my 2011 subaru outback at 75,000 miles from hansel subaru in santa rosa,ca in april of 2017 from a salesman named andre. A couple weeks after purchasing it I took it back to the dealership to get the transmission inspected because it was not driving properly (complaining of hard shifting). After they inspected it they asked me if this was my first CVT and I said yes, they told me that the car needed to learn my driving habits so they did a 're-learn' on the CVT which I had to pay for out of pocket. At this time I had no knowledge of the extended warranty or the CVT transmission the subaru released in 2014. This should have been disclosed when I purchased the car. When I took it in for the inspection they should have replaced the CVT according to they service bulletin with the extended warranty. A couple weeks ago I'm driving home from ventura at night, traveling 70mph in heavy traffic and out of nowhere all the dashboard lights start flashing and the car suddenly looses power, almost causing the vehicle behind me to rear-end me. The vehicle is at 125,000 miles (just outside the 100,000 mile extended warranty) and subaru is refusing to provide any assistance with a new transmission. Now I'm stuck with a repair bill of $8000 on a vehicle I still owe $10,000 on. This should be a recall, the passenger and I could have been injured or killed in a freeway pileup.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Transmission · 146,000 miles · VT

This is a new complaint after subaru agreed to replace the transmission at no cost to us, the original owners. The car was dropped for diagnosis on 7/29-told that it needed a new transmissions, parts ordered, and service scheduled. Subaru had the car for just over two weeks. Picked up on 8/13 and experienced the same issues that we had prior to dropping it off. Hesitation and stalling, etc. See previous complaint. Now they want us to drop it off for service again.