2014 Subaru Outback: CVT failure

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · 138,858 miles · SC

I was on the highway, after driving a little more than two hours. The dash board lit up with many of the "trouble lights". The brake light began flashing, eye sight was lit, meaning that it was no longer engaged. At oil temp. Check engine transmission. All of the above. I am looking at a picture that I took showing the mileage and the warning lights. The car continued to operate, without any hesitation and I felt that it must "just be an electronic issue". It happened to me once before, about two years ago. I took it to an auto parts store for a quick diagnostic and the guy said it was fine to drive until I could get back home to the dealership. Two days later, the warning lights disappeared! I understand now from various threads on the internet, this is a common problem with the subaru's CVT. It is sad because they apparently have been informed of this issue and their only response is a repair to the CVT ($1500-2000) or a new transmission all together ($5- 8k). I bought this vehicle as new... I have not owned a subaru before but wanted the "security of a reliable car". I did purchase the extended warranty, but this happened after the 100k miles so I have no recourse. Please help all of the subaru owners out there!! It's not just the outback model, but several of their vehicles and it seems that it is something that has been happening over the years but they have not been made to address this design flaw. Safety wise-- I don't know if the vehicle will just quit in the middle of traffic, or what. We tried the "general fixes" .... Unplug the battery for a few hours; we purchased a new gas cap seal; but neither of those did the trick. I wanted to send my case to you but, also, this coming week, I will be dropping it off at the dealership to see what they have to say.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · NC

Car makes excessively loud roaring, whining noise in acceleration; it's response is unpredictable. It doesn't shift and the differential is the likely source of problem. Car has been properly maintained all along.two independent mechanics reported the CVT must be replaced. Subaru service informed me after 120k mile servicing. It can stall without warning anywhere anytime causing accident, injury etc. Though I'm told it's dangerous to drive subaru is unwilling to take responsibility, except paying half of their $8000 charge for a re-manned CVT...no recall! What's it going to take subaru? Your integrity is compromised; your claim of quality is false. You want owners to pay for your technology problem. Though the CVT has a long history of failure, subaru hasn't solved the problem or improved the technology. Instead owners pay $4,000 for a new, faulty CVT and subaru continues to avoid recall. Buyers are the losers.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · CA

Cvt transmission stalled on freeway, then locked up, putting us into skid. Very dangerous situation that could have resulted in serious injury accident. Was able to restart and limp to emergency lane. Speed was 65 MPH zone. Very scary for us. Had previously complained to subaru of problem, but they didn't give it a full diagnostic and said to drive it until it broke. We have opened a case with subaru america.

Filed Dec 7, 2019 · Electrical · 47,434 miles · OR

Battery failing prematurely even new. Leaving drivers and occupants stranded in winter freezing , or summer hot weather. I had total of 4 episodes of battery failure in my 2014 outback bought new on 8/12/2014. Subaru factory battery failed twice when car was less then 20k miles in january 2017, replaced under warranty, then again failed twice again with the replaced battery 11/26/2019 at 47k miles. Subaru dealer refused to replace the battery this time stating warranty had expired. Researched online found similar complaints about subaru batteries below: vehicle 2015 subaru outback 2.5i limited 4dr SUV awd (2.5l 4cyl CVT) review I have had persistent problems with a dead battery. If I don't drive the car for at least one-half hour each day,the ... 3.9/5(196) mileage: 106400 drive train: all wheel drive mpg: 25 combined mpg subaru battery problems? Questions about subaru battery on ... Https://www.justanswer.com/topics-battery subaru battery problems a car or automobile battery is a device which stores and supplies electrical energy. This is supplied to the ignition system, appliances and lights, and to power the starter motor. An automobile battery can be recharged which begins to happen once the engine is started. Battery on my new 2017 subaru forester runs down - car on ... Nov 18, 2017 about 3 weeks ago I had a dead battery that I needed ... Jul 21, 2012 subaru alternator troubleshooting questions answered

Filed Sep 30, 2015 · Acceleration · 6,700 miles · WA

Three times engine has failed to respond to accelerator input. Duration, 3 to 15 seconds. Happens at low speed (<20mph) just after coasting for a few seconds and as engine is heating up. Last incident, 9/27/2015, backed out of parking space, then shifted into forward, did not use accelerator because cold engine speed was high enough to maintain 5mph through very congested parking lot. 20 seconds later attempted to accelerate to 35mph, engine speed never responded for the next 15 seconds, then engine started responding normally. No check engine light. These failures started 4 months ago, and happens when CVT transmission is in auto or manual mode. I checked internet and found several similar reports. Dealers and subaru corp., no help at all. In certain driving situations, loss of engine control could be just as dangerous as loss of brakes.

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Transmission · 50 miles · OH

Same issue as listed in complaint 10715452. While making a left turn on return from vehicle purchase, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection for several seconds with the engine running. I was nearly t-boned while waiting for the drive system to re-engage. To date, 2jul15, this stalling situation has occurred numerous times. I had the dealer inspect the vehicle, but no out of specification conditions were found. I think the problem rests with the CVT transmission trying to shift during acceleration. I recently learned by experimentation that I might be able to minimize the problem by placing the transmission in manual mode and forcing it to remain in 1st during acceleration. I do not believe that one should be forced to manipulate an automatic transmission to avoid a very dangerous stall during acceleration. Someone is going to be seriously injured or killed because of this problem. A vehicle recall is required....updated 09/22/15 *bf updated 10/13/2015

Filed Jun 6, 2015 · Engine · 40 miles · OH

From the time I have had this car, there is a lot of engine hesitation going from reverse to drive. We live on a busy street and it is a safety hazard when we back out of the driveway, switch into drive, and step on the gas pedal - nothing happens for approximately 2 seconds, then the car starts going forward. The dealer has tried to tell me it is the CVT, but I watch the tachometer, and the engine doesn't rev up. I had some of this problem with my previous (non-CVT) 2005 outback, but thought it would be better 10 years later. It isn't - it's worse.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 10,200 miles · CT

When driving a 2014 subaru outback I experience a 2-4 second hesitation upon accelerating. It first happen when turning left, crossing traffic. I stepped on the gas pedal and nothing happened for a few seconds and then suddenly accelerated into oncoming traffic. Fortunately there was no accident just horns beeping from the car I cut off. It happened again when accelerating from a stop onto a highway. That time I applied the brakes as it lunged forward before entering traffic. It happened a few more times at a stop light in the 1 week I drove it. The engine seems to stay at an idle and then after the 2-4 second delay suddenly accelerates according to the level the pedal is depressed. This is my daughter's vehicle and I am concerned about her and her family's safety. There are many complaints on line regarding this problem with subarus, not just outbacks. I actually brought the car in to get this checked out and they told me there are no service notifications regarding hesitations so they can't do anything! They stated that is normal with a CVT transmission. Believe me, that is not normal and is an accident waiting to happen. Please review the on line complaints.

Filed Nov 11, 2014 · Transmission · 500 miles · AZ

Multiple incidents of lag when driving slowly into cross traffic or from a dead stop that sometimes last up to several seconds that has resulted in some very close calls in heavy traffic. The worst times have been while making a left turn across traffic when you are creeping out and try to accelerate and nothing happens! I have called the dealer and taken it into the dealer and they tell me it is a design flaw in their CVT transmission and that there is no fix at present. They did some updates to the cars computer and thought that might help but on a trip in st. George ut a few days later we were almost in an accident merging right into heavy traffic when we were left sitting in the middle of the street for several seconds before the car would move. The service writer said his 20013 legacy does the same thing and this is a common complaint. I have researched this on line and can't find anything about it, why? This is a very dangerous problem, we purchased this car with the eyesight accident prevention system because we wanted all the safety features it has, now were told that it's normal to leave you hanging in traffic waiting for the car to respond?

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Transmission · 1,174 miles · IL

There is a lag of approx. 2 seconds length when shifting out of reverse and into drive. The driver cannot move the car during this lag (in fact, the car will roll backwards if on a hill). I have taken the car to the subaru dealer 3 times, & sent a complaint to subaru of america, and each time the response is "CVT transmission operates as designed". I consider this a safety hazard, and am concerned about driving the car in city traffic, parking, etc. When I shift into drive, I expect the car to move.