2012 Subaru Outback: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · 97,803 miles · CT

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that during rainy weather, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner and retrieved DTC codes: P0420 (Catalytic convertor) and P0057 (Ignition System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were failures with the rear brake pads, rotors, PCV valve, valve cover gasket, engine air filter, catalytic converter heat shield; and a cylinder #4 misfire. The DTC codes P0304, and P0420 (Catalytic convertor) were also retrieved. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced first. The contact stated that several repairs were made prior; however, the failure persisted. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Subaru Service Program Bulletin: WQC-39, WVY-35, WUF-91r, TKC-19R, and the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,803.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to two separate independent mechanics who informed him that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact then called subaru of spokane (423 w 3rd ave, spokane, wa 99201) and rairdon's subaru of auburn (3025 auburn way n, auburn, wa 98002) and was provided estimates for a new transmission. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

: the transmission stared acting up randomly in early february of 2017. The transmission would slam into gear while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear, accompanied with a huge bang while the whole car would rattle for a second or so. A very scary and unsafe scenario because it felt like you were being hit from behind by another car. Afterward, the car would run normally for few days before it repeats. So I took my car to rallysport engineering in costa mesa, ca on april 10 who confirmed my complaint and replaced the valve cover of the transmission. The problem appears to be solved until a month later. Around june, a new transmission shifting problem was appearing and gradually getting worse. When tried to accelerate slowly while coasting between 3rd to 5th gear, the car would shudder noticeably and hesitate for a second or two before got going. This is a very scary and unsafe situation if you need to accelerate to avoid obstacles on highway or surface street. In july, I took the car back to rallysport engineering for repair. It confirmed the shuddering problem but it could not identify the cause so it referred me to subaru orange coast (oc) because it has access to technical support from a dedicated subaru factory 'super-tech'. Subaru oc kept my car for four days before returning to me. It could not identify my car problem, and instead, the mechanic staff told me I have differential and wheel bearing problems. I need to fix these two problems ($1012) before he can zero in on the transmission shuddering problem. I told the mechanic my car symptom is very repeatable and he should be able to duplicate and identify the problem without requiring me spending big money upfront. He was unable to help because there was no stored diagnostic code to guide him! I complained and shared information with subaru of america but no avail.

Filed May 24, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 73,763 miles · DC

Tl* the contact was driving a 2012 subaru outback company vehicle. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fitzgerald subaru (11407 rockville pike, rockville, md 20852, (301) 230-9000) where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side knock sensors and the passenger side brake light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission body and harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired again, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 73,763.

Filed May 29, 2017 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NH

Car is stalling when brakes are applied at stops. Engine hesitates when accelerating from a stop.

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 69,500 miles · VT

Vehicle stalls at red lights or stop signs. It also hesitates on acceleration. This is a very dangerous situation when having to restart the vehicle in heavy traffic.

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · MD

2012 outback 2.5i limited with 93k miles stalls intermittently when coming to a complete stop. When placed in park the vehicle will start right up and runs fine. There is no hesitation or engine missing when in motion, only when coming to a full stop. Yesterday it stalled 3 times during a 6 mile round trip to the post office. I am fearful that it will stall while I'm in an intersection waiting to make a left turn and am vulnerable to cross traffic when the light changes. I'm taking it in to the dealer tomorrow and hoping they will be able to fix it. After searching the internet for similar complaints, I understand that tsb 16-90-13 addresses this type of failure, apparently due to a problem with the torque converter.

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and hesitated to respond without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS master cylinder was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.