2015 Subaru Outback: CVT failure

Filed Dec 14, 2024 · Transmission · OH

A transmission that was replaced in July of 2023 went bad un December of 2024 and dealership won't give reasons why transmission went bad or what caused a almost brand new transmission with less than 50,000 miles on it went bad. They are demanding we pay $5000.00 dollars on a transmission that was replaced under the extended warranty on cvt transmission from subaru. Which also extends to the brand new transmission. They are demanding their loaner car back and refusing to honor extended warranty on new transmission which the gave us which is bad. They will not give us anything other than it is bad. No information what so ever is being given to my husband or I as to why, how or what happened. My car will not move unless it is pushed by someone. They are refusing to honor their recall warranty or provide a loaner while dealing with their corporate offices on this issue. This is after in the past 1 and a half years my car has been in their shop for well over 8 months and I am still making payments on this vehicle. They will not even provide paperwork on the issues with my vehicle.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Transmission · NJ

The continuously variable transmission failed at 114,000 miles. The unexpected lack of proper shifting on the roadway causes impediment to traffic expecting a continual flow of traffic. This causes the vehicle and drivers sharing the rode to have to make sudden braking or lane shifts without sufficient notice. The CVT was inspected by the dealer. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure.

Filed Oct 28, 2020 · Transmission · 150,450 miles · MS

I took the car into paul moak subaru on 10/14. The car was bucking under light acceleration. When pulling thru a stop light, or moving from a stopped position, the car kicks back and forth and I don't know if its going to keep going or stall. No check engine light. Paul moak subaru says " this is due to an internal failure of the CVT transmission and the repair estimate is $9,319.59." this is almost the same as what I owe on the car. I knew of the extended warranty subaru provided for the transmission but I'm outside the mileage portion. I reached out to subaru north america on 10/27/20 but they say they can not help me due to the mileage. I drive approx 750 miles a week on a sales route thus the high mileage. 90 % of the miles are highway and are documented for tax purposes. I love my subaru but cant believe I'm going to have to spend so much money on a 5 year old car. I have a family of 4 and am scared to take them in the car in this condition. I have to drive it in this condition until I can save the money it's going to cost to repair the transmission. Subaru should issue a recall on this transmission.

Filed Sep 13, 2020 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

Continuous variable transmission (CVT). The vehicle stopped while making a left turn suddenly motionless, engine revved up at 3500 RPM but the CVT remained unresponsive. Paced shift gear to park position then to drive gear then the vehicle moved-up very slow then it pulled forward to a normal driveable condition. This issue happened in 2017, 2018, 2019. Took to dealership 2x tested the vehicle but, no problem found and no manufacturer's issue was release. Several subaru owners complaints with the same issue, on 2013 - 2015 outback models.the battery on 2015 outback model like mine, had replaced in 2017 while under warranty up to 3 - years. Lately, the battery died several times, took back to the dealer for test and replacement but, the 3 - years warranty was over from its original purchased. The warranty should be applied on the second battery replacement that runs for the next 36 - months. Another issue is the catalytic converter the vehicle has, took back to the dealer last july 2020, a srvice advisor admitted that there was a problem, the vehicle drove for testing then came back with nothing wrong on the catalytic converter per mechanic assessment. The front exhaust pipe was cracked and it was repaired as part of manufacturer recalls. There are issues on this model referring to the CVT, battery, infotainment got freezed, no data on screen, engine oil consumption to fast. The main issue for me is the "safety issue." which is the transmission. First time it happened was in 2017, 2018, 2019.

Filed Aug 15, 2020 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · WV

Received subaru recall (wuj-95) on aug,3.2020 pertaining to exhaust pipe bellow failure. The recall includes replacement of the exhaust y-pipe that is installed from engine to tale pipe. This exhaust pipe in my understanding was installed under a stress manufacturing process where the pipe and fastener system has to be forced in to install. This puts excess stress on the bellows and caused failure. My question is why did subaru wait five years to notify the consumer and issue a recall. Please return my request for a full explanation of what happened. 2nd. I would like to address the CVT transmission issue. Subaru extended the transmission failure time line to 10yr-100,000 mile. I am having many issues with my CVT transmission and subaru will not issue a recall. With all the complaints and problems with the gen-5 CVT transmission would please take a 2nd look at this issue.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

The car would stall when coasting to a stop light or stop sign a few times and have been back to the dealer and can't replicated the problem. This is a dangerous situation and can cause an unsafe and huge accident with my family. The car would die while in drive and sometimes can't be restarted. It's happening again and afraid to drive the car since the dealer will say nothing is wrong with the car. It looks like it's related to idle being low or the CVT acting up when taking the foot off the gas pedal and try to accelerate from a dead stop or coasting to a stop. This happened a few times during factory warranty window.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · CO

Transmission failure. It is a known issue with models with their original CVT transmission, but rather than issue a recall, they're extending warranties and fixing as they break. This left me with no power on a state highway that had speed limits of 75mph. I managed to make it to the shoulder to be stranded for an hour waiting for a tow truck. This is extremely unsafe and if it's a known issue, I'm not sure why they're not preventing these scenarios. I was going about 70mph in the center lane of a 3 lane highway when suddenly my car jerked and then wouldnt accelerate.

Filed Jul 10, 2018 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · MA

Subject 2015 outback CVT transmission lurches and bogs during acceleration, we have tried working with subaru for repair however, they consider the unit as working to within standard and will not replace unless it fails completely.

Filed Apr 3, 2017 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · FL

Intermittently the car does not respond when the accelerator is depressed. I am told by the dealership that this is a common problem with the CVT transmission. This is a major safety issue as I have almost been hit on several occasions when turning left or merging into traffic. If the accelerator is depressed more and more, the car finally lurches forward (or backward if backing up) and the brakes have to be slammed on.

Filed Nov 27, 2016 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · MT

Extreme engine hesitation (CVT) from idle stop making a turn, ie center turning lane. Driver cannot rely on normal opposing traffic breaks to complete a turn. You must increase that distance by at least 5 times, then you don't know if engine/transmission will kick back in! This is extremely dangerous! Dealer: "that's the way its supposed to work!??? This has happened several times!

Filed Mar 28, 2015 · Transmission · 3,400 miles · CA

.of us as traffic was causing it to speed up and slow down. With no warning, our car suddenly lurched ahead as if I had stepped hard on the gas pedal, throwing us back in our seats. After a few seconds, it hit brakes and threw us forward. It did not completely stop but resumed previous speed. This continued to happen every couple of minutes. I took the first exit that appeared, about two miles ahead. I was very frightened that we might collide with the van in front or swerve into the traffic in the lane next to us, or that it might suddenly stall in our lane. I did not try to stop the car although I had my foot resting on the brake pedal. It badly frightened my wife and I. The car has a CVT transmission. We stopped in a parking lot and then had car towed to closest of two subaru dealers in the area. I had both of them run extensive checks on engine, power train, computer, etc. Neither could identify any issues that would cause the problem. My wife has sworn she will never drive or ride in the car again. I can't blame her. We have to go over a winding, hilly road of about ten miles to go home. There is heavy car and truck traffic off and on throughout the day. To get home, we rented a car as I now fear driving this road in this car at anytime day or night. The dealer where we bought the car has offered to store the car for us until we decide what to do. I've tried calling subaru and will try again. Long wait periods so far. This is our second subaru. First was a 2012 outback which we traded for the current one which we have leased. The irony of this is that we bought the current one for its many safety features! I've owned many cars in my life but have never experienced anything like this!