2012 Subaru Outback: CVT failure

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Engine · AZ

Just after 100k mile service, car began to shutter when slowing and then stalls at stops. Eventually after I leave it in neutral for up to 2-20 min it will finally restart. First time it happened it wouldn’t start. I had to push vehicle out of major intersection to avoid being hit then pay to tow it to nearest mechanic. Once there, it restarted and problem couldn’t be replicated nor did it relay any codes. Happened again the next two occasions I drove it so I immediately took it to Subaru dealer using side streets to avoid potential accident. After researching my model/year and symptoms, I found this was a common complaint with 2012 Outback’s and there have been numerous CVT issues. One of these issues is a faulty torque converter that causes stalling and usually appears around 100k mile mark (of course just shy of warranty). In 2017 (prior to owning car) a bulletin was released notifying dealers of issue which led to extension of warranty due to customer complaints. Given this new information, I was not shocked when dealer diagnosed my car as needing a new torque converter. Had I known this was an issue beforehand, I would have requested an inspection when spending thousands for 100k mile maintenance. I even brought vehicle to same Subaru dealer years prior (when it would have still been under warranty) for noise and shaking when accelerating/braking. They said this was normal for box engines and test drove it without any concerns. I can’t believe with the vast complaints on CVT issues that Subaru has not issued a recall. It’s irresponsible, dishonest, and a major safety concern. Consumers have right to be notified if they may be affected or put at risk.

Filed Feb 9, 2024 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated, prompting the contact to quickly exit the roadway, where the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MD

The vehicle stalls completely upon slowing down. This occurs frequently at stop signs, lights and while crossing a major road and waiting halfway across to join the flow of traffic. Subaru dealer says it is a defective torque converter but no longer covered by the CVT warranty extension. This is extremely dangerous and should be fixed at no cost to vehicle owner.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Engine · TN

We were never notified of a extended warranty on the CVT of our outback. We took it to subaru dealerships for maintance and they failed to tell us about the CVT going bad causing damage to the transmission. When we contacted subaru corporate they told us there was nothing they could do. Now we have had the car looked at when it was under the mileage because it was showing signs of the CVT going bad and the dealership was negligent in letting us know of the problem. Now we feel our vehicle is unsafe to drive and subaru is not willing to fix the problem they knew about. When we fill our tank up at the gas station the break, traction, cruise control lights will blink and the cruise control will stop working while the lights are blinking. We took the car to derrel waltrup dealership in nashvillle tennessee, subaru of nashville and subaru of gallitan tn. All three dealerships ageed that the issue with our car is due to the CVT warrenty issue. We are the only owners of this subaru and have taken great care of it. We want subaru to stand behind their product and fix the defect so that we can continue to be safe in our car.

Filed Jun 6, 2020 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · UT

Intermittent dash lights flashing on my subaru 2012 outback, prompted me to take the car in for diagnosis. Subaru is notorious for dash lights flashing when there might be an issue. Brought car in but they could not find issue in about 3 instances.I did the flashing lights reset, but came back on. When lights flash, many other car functions cease, such as cruise control, manual gear function goes inop, etc. Plus flashing lights disguise other issues that may be going on as well (such as brakes), plus very scary in itself. Historically, I am tracking that subaru has had many issues with this and no time or reason of what could cause these problems or even a solution from them. Subaru finally said I have CVT issue with the torque piece it cause this to slow down in the car and concerned that the whole transmission will go out decide to give them a call trying to get the issue resolve but was told I was out of the warranty!. There was a letter send to me that extended from 60k miles to 100k just recently, but subaru said my car just missed the warrant work/recall by 4k miles which I think is quite concerning since it has been identified as an issue (recall). Does the issue stop at 100k?

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · MI

My vehicle has been stalling when coming to a stop, it starts to shudder when slowing then stalls at stop. Safety is becoming an issue when in traffic, or on highway in stop and go. There has not been a recall for torque converter issues or CVT transmissions just extended warranty. Unfortunately there were not issues when this was extended. This is on a 2012 subaru outback, with 130,000 miles

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · VA

2012 subaru outback with approx. 122,000 miles. The CVT transmission began rasping while under acceleration. Randomly, and over a period of several days, the vehicle stalled, particularly when rapidly decelerating under braking conditions. This required the vehicle to be shifted into park or neutral and restarted. Online, I discovered that there is a rather lengthy history of problems with this subaru transmission, and that subaru, apparently to avoid a recall, extended its warranty on the 2012 outback to july 31, 2018 or 100,000 miles, whichever came first. I was never notified of the warranty extension, a fact that subaru USA on july 29, 2019 tacitly acknowledge (they said they had no record that I had been notified), but subaru USA said, despite this, that the warranty date and mileage had now expired and they could do nothing for me. Subaru USA also acknowledged that the estimated repair cost of $9500 was "quite high" and told me that as a "good will" gesture they were prepared to offer me $1500 credit toward the purchase of a new subaru.

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · TN

The CVT transmission failed while traveling at a high speed down the interstate with no warning. After doing further research subaru is very aware of this CVT issues and has taken a very poor and limited approach to stand behind and fix this issue. They told me at the dealership that I was on my own to pay for the repair and it was a 10k fix.

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · IL

My outback stalls when coming to a stop. It would do it randomly but now it does it all the time. Subaru won't do anything for me except tell me how much it will cost to fix the torch converter without even checking it on their computer. I have heard of several issues with the CVT and I want to know for sure.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · 106,000 miles · TN

Cvt transmission / torque converter. My vehicle is just over 100k and subaru won't cover the full repair. My car has stalled in very dangerous situations on the highway and intersections. Local dealer has confirmed that the torque converter / CVT needs repaired. It's terrible to know that the federal safety agency won't issue a formal recall waiting for fatalities to force the decision.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · NJ

While in motion,the CVT transmission suddenly failed without warning. Causing the car to stop forward motion. If this had happened in traffic, it could cause a accident. This is a series safety issue. Cvt transmission is a sealed unit, no serviceable parts. Car is 11k outside warranty. Only repair is 8k replacement.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · 181,000 miles · VA

I have just been told today that will need a new CVT transmission for my 2012 outback. This is a common problem for subaru during this model year. Instead of issuing a recall, they have chosen to give a limited extended warranty on this issue. They have not owned up to the problem and are not helping customers out with this issue. What assurance do I have that a new subaru won't have the same issue? I enjoyed by outback and am very disappointed with this outcome. I have taken it for regular servicing and don't abuse a vehicle and it has been reliable to this point. Please advise as to why won't own up to this issue and issue a recall for this common problem. They currently have in place an extended warranty of 100,000 for this issue. I dare say very few subarus are on the road after nine years with less than 100,000.