2015 Subaru Outback: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · OK

January 25th, 2026 13:30 I was coming to a stop at an intersection with my foot on the brake pedal when suddenly my vehicle lurched forward potentially causing rear end collision with the truck in front of me that was stopped at the red light. My vehicle finally came to a stop when I pressed hard on the brake pedal. This problem happened today, so I have not reproduced it. I have not had it checked by a dealer (today is Sunday) I have a Low Tire Pressure light that came on two days ago when the temperatures suddenly dropped here in Tulsa, OK.

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Body, Driver assistance · FL · crash

Tapped the accelerator. The car suddenly lurched backward. I put it in neutral and hit the brakes. Nothing happened.I didnt want to hit there garage or my son in laws car so I swerved to the right. I hit the brakes and again nothing happened. The car hit the neighbor bush and eventually came to rest when it hit the neighbors honda right door. I then put it drive and pulled back onto my daughters driveways and had a difficult time stopping the vehicle. It did approx. $2200 damage to my subaru outback sending it to the collision shop for two weeks.

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 May 25, 2018 · Suspension, Transmission · 24,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 subaru outback. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle's wheels seized and the vehicle jerked violently. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to subaru of las vegas (6455 w roy horn way, las vegas, nv 89118) where it was diagnosed that cv axles and the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

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 Jun 5, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 1,537 miles · PA

Unintended acceleration. When driving at low speeds--what would traditionally be 1st and 2nd gear (the car has a continually variable transmission)--and while keeping constant pressure on the gas pedal, the transmission changes the acceleration of the vehicle on its own in a process that feels like it can't find the right "gear", and it provides a "jerking" feeling (usually only a couple of "jerks"). Yet the transmission is not just finding the right gear for a specific constant speed; as it shifts around, the acceleration changes and has, with constant pressure on the pedal, accelerated faster on its own. I have never felt less control of a vehicle as I have with this one.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Engine · 30 miles · ID

Engine idle is erratic when cold. Backing out of the garage in the morning the engine surges 3-400 RPM making the car jerk faster and slower. This is with only the brake pedal pressed. I have a second identical car that does not have the problem. Temperature is in the 40's. When the engine slows, you have to ease off the brake, them it suddenly speeds up 50% and the car takes off. The cycle repeats for a few minutes in the mornings. The problem is very repeatable -the same thing every morning.

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!