2014 Subaru Outback: hesitation when accelerating

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 May 16, 2020 · Fuel system · MI

At approximately 50k miles, a year or so ago, this car developed a serious hesitation when taking off from a standstill or trying to gain speed from anywhere from 20 to 40 MPH. Tried several methods to correct this suggested by our mechanic which included injector cleaner, high octane gas, more cleaner, better quality gas and nothing has worked, we have read that there numerous customers with this same problem but subaru does nothing. There should be a recall ore buy-back. We are concerned we will be in an accident because it won't maneuver properly while in traffic.

Filed Mar 15, 2020 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · IL

Delayed gas pedal response=hesitation to accelerate when gas pedal engaged from a stationary stop. I have experienced this failure to accelerate the vehicle from a stopped position in excess of 25 times over a more than 5 year period. The subaru is not mine but a relatives car. In early february 2019, I was stopped at a light attempting to make a left hand turn. Traffic coming at me was up a hill with a grade of 6% or more which limited the line of sight for someone wanting to make a left hand turn at that intersection. As I stepped on the gas to make the turn there was no response from the car. The car coming up the hill was upon me. I pumped the gas several times and luckily was able to make it through the intersection. My wife and I were inches away from being wacked by the other car. The car approaching has a speed limit of 45 MPH but was most likely traveling in excess of 45 MPH. Once through the intersection, we pulled to the curb to gather ourselves. That's when I said enough is enough and sent two letters to tom doll of subaru. One in february & april 2019. He of course pass it on to cservice. The individual wrote back saying nothing is wrong. I am a professional engineer and have been for many years. I pointed out all engineers including automotive engineers must adhere to a code of ethics & adhere to the ''highest standards of honesty and integrity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety and welfare and must adhere to the highest principles of ethical conduct.'' that meant nothing to subaru. Clearly from my experience there is a problem with the 2014 subaru outback and it's random failure to accelerate due to a delayed gas pedal response.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Transmission · 400 miles · MA

Car hesitates/does not respond, intermittently but often, when accelerator pedal is pushed to the floorboard from a stop. Lag/no response time is about about 1 1/2 seconds. This results in near accidents when pulling out into traffic at an intersection. Car has been taken to dealer twice to have this issue resolved with no success.

Filed Feb 3, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 91,000 miles · NV

3 to 15 second hesitation in throttle response. Last incident nearly resulted in a collision. I stopped waiting for traffic to clear before making an left turn. Made the left turn, gently applied the throttle pedal, no response, pushed it to maximum travel, still no response, car coming toward me in oncoming lane, then my car suddenly accelerated so that a collision was avoided. City 2 lane street, turning left.

Filed Sep 12, 2017 · Engine · 26,000 miles · IL

When at a stop either at a 4 way, traffic light, or waiting to make a turn, sometimes the car hesitates a few seconds before going and then surges forward. I also have had it stall for over 20 minutes and wouldn't start till after 20 minutes. The hesitation is dangerous when making turns across or into traffic because it doesn't go and you can get hit. It does not trip the engine light so the dealer can fix it.

Filed Nov 28, 2015 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · TX

When accelerating after a near stop, the engine hesitates for at least 3 seconds at acceleration which in many instances has been very dangerous upon entering traffic, especially turning left and entering a high traffic street or road.

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 May 20, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 20,000 miles · CA

Vehicle hesitates occasionally on acceleration coming off a stop.

Filed May 9, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 20,400 miles · CA

For the past few days, my vehicle many times hesitates for at least 3-5 seconds when trying to accelerate from a stop/rest at a stop light, almost cause accident when trying to enter into an intersection. It seems to happen around 2000 - 3000/RPM. The car even exhibited slight jerky when at the start of accelerating up a slight sloppy hill. This is serious issue as accident is imminent when the car has no acceleration when trying to get going in traffic. This issue is commonly experienced by other drivers (online forum) : http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/98450-2014-outback-acceleration-hesitation.html

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 Oct 9, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 3,700 miles · VA · crash

There is a hesitation when accelerating, it happens from complete stops by stepping on the gas, and while turning your vehicle. I was on a 35mph. Back road and went to turn left onto a side street, I yielded for 2 cars and then went into the turn and stepped on the gas, it hesitated and then I was hit in the rear side of my vehicle. If it would have responded correctly I would not have gotten into the accident.