2013 Subaru Outback: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I purchased this car may 28th 2025 and had it over the weekend and check engine light came on and took it Monday once shop opened and came back for catalytic converter and o2 sensor I letted the dealership know about it and said its not much that i can fix it but I figured would say that since was a as is car and just had to come up with money... only thing month later it stalled on me and had to take to a shop to see what it is and came back for transmission but that shop told me the car never should have been sold I never try to let them know about that its been sitting since July when that happened I been trying to talk to consumer protection services but Noone willed to help but since last year was so rough I just wanted to try again once year is up

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Transmission · AL

At all speeds vehicle shudders when letting off accelerator then nearly stalls. This is extremely dangerous when entering expressways or crossing oncoming vehicles. Dealer identified transmission as the problem and could reproduce, but not determine reason. Said drive until Check Engine light comes on then bring back. Light has never lit up. Dealer says Subaru stopped using this transmission because of problems, but is not allowed to rebuild or repair transmission. Says it cannot get new or rebuilt transmission from Subaru or anyone else just from totaled car auction. Dealership is offering $2500 trade in. This problem is well documented online regarding 2013 Subaru Outback’s with 2.5L engine.

Filed Jun 28, 2023 · Transmission · TX

Like many other Subaru Outback owners, the torque converter, valve body tied to the transmission has put my Subaru out of commission at only 127k miles. There are many listservs and threads of Subaru owners who were duped by Subarus marketing of Subarus lasting into 200k miles who only reached half that because of these faulty transmissions and like myself have experienced car shuttering, stalling, and having to tow and chunk their allegedly safe cars that died half into their marketed lifespan. These cars are unsafe, have left my stranded and needing a tow and with many costly repairs https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t37876_ds770713

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

Vehicle was at a stop light on a 45mph road at which time the car shook very badly, the engine stalled, and almost every dashboard light illuminated. Vehicle was unable to move putting the passengers at extreme risk of a rear end collision on a major thoroughfare. The situation was safely resolved after shutting down the vehicle for a minutes and restarting it. Following the incident, the vehicle shudders often, and the car shakes very badly again if the transmission approaches 4000RPM. Vehicle will be taken in for service next week and it is suspected that Subaru will be required to replace the transmission under the extended warranty offered to all customers because of high transmission failure rates observed on this make/model of car. the federal safety agency needs to require a recall on all Subaru CVTs due to unreliability and stalling putting passengers and the public at risk.

Filed Sep 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · WA

Thank you the federal safety agency for being my voice. We need and appreciate the life saving work you collectively do to keep my family, myself, and others safe on our roads. I need your action. My 2013 Subaru Continuously Variable Transmission valve body is failing. This is a major safety issue because my Subaru risks stalling out and potentially being harmed in a crash causing bodily injury or death to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. This is a known issue with Subaru and the federal safety agency. Instead of a recall, Subaru of America opted to extend the warranty to 100,000 miles or 10 years for this safety issue. My car is 8 years old and over 100,000 miles. (I have taken amazing care of my beloved car and have already replaced the short block assembly that was a Service Bulletin under warranty for excessive oil consumption.) My goal, with your assistance, is to hold Subaru accountable to fix this known CVT failure at their cost (Approximately $1,829.94) by honoring my 8 year old car that is within the 10 year portion of the warranty extension. Although it is a known problem for cars over 100,000 miles, Subaru is denying my claim. The verbiage of this Continuously Variable Transmission issue being covered under an extended warranty of “100,000 miles OR 10 years, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST’ is a protection of the manufacturer only. I am compelled to ask you for your help and appreciate your time and advocacy. I can help in any capacity on my end. I am at your service!

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also mentioned that on a several other occasions, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle resumed normal operation after the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer autonation subaru spokane valley located at 10000 e. Sprague ave, spokane valley, wa 99206 where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission valve body and solenoid to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however, no assistance was offered. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.*dt subaru contributed $1000 towards repair and dealer service center replaced valve body and solenoid. Afterwards noise from the transmission was worse than before repair and dealer now reports that the entire transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $9,300. Subaru USA offered only $1,500 towards this replacement.*dt*jb*ln

Filed Apr 24, 2020 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shuddered and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to dreyer & reinbold subaru (1301 south, us-31 ste 2, greenwood, in 46143), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Engine · 228,000 miles · WA

Date of event: 01/11/2020 time of event: 14:00 while attempting to merge onto interstate 84 our 2013 subaru outback chugged then completely stalled, requiring an emergency lane shift onto the shoulder to avoid entering the busy freeway with no engine power. Luckily the car started up again (albeit very roughly) and we were able to limp it to the next exit to a location to be towed. This was a very intense and scary situation that thankfully ended in no incident. Upon researching the problem it appears this stalling issue is not uncommon yet subaru does nothing to correct it. This was a near miss that I attribute to a recall that should have already occurred voluntarily by the oem.

Filed Nov 26, 2019 · Transmission · 95,426 miles · UT

Cvt transmission many issues including the transmission overheating and causing the car to completely shut off. Problems perseist and dealership can find nothing wrong initially , but the transmission has been becoming worse and worse sicnce these issues started and the transmission stalls the car.

Filed Nov 15, 2019 · Engine · 81,000 miles · ME

The car looses power to the point where it occasionally stalls when I decelerate and come to a stop or just before the stop. I replaced the battery as it was on its way out anyway and the problem persists. I don't think it has anything to do with the alternator and I haven't brought the car to a dealer or mechanic yet. But want to raise the flag on the issue I'm having because I've seen lots of forums where other folks are experiencing a similar issue.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 93,000 miles · MO

Issue is ongoing for the last 6 months. Vehicle intermittently stalls when at idle and placed in gear. Hesitation when accelerating while driving (acts as if it not getting enough power.) I have taken the vehicle to 3 different dealerships and contacted subaru of america and I am not getting anywhere. Dealerships can't duplicate the problem, so therefore can't diagnose the problem. I have video records of this issue occurring.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · CA

The transmission jerks and stutters and while in traffic the car lost power for approximately 5 seconds and I was almost hit. It happens at low and high speeds. It has happened on city streets and the latest was on the highway. I have also had it stall completely at low speeds. I've had it in the dealership 3 times and they say they can't replicate it. I have had the transmission flushed. It still continues. It feels unsafe to drive.