Occasionally the 2.5 L engine with cvt will appear to almost stall upon decelerating and coming to a stop (at a traffic light, stop sign, etc.). the engine will shudder, the rpms will drop below 700 and then quickly return to normal idle (about 800 or so). Have not yet experienced a stall but have come close. Our car has about 87000 miles and is otherwise in good condition. Our mechanic has been unable to diagnose the problem because this is an intermittent issue, it cannot be duplicated and there are no codes. Other similar posts have indicated that the torque convertor may be the culprit. Considering the quantity of posts, an investigation should be undertaken. Stalling can be a safety problem.

- New City, NY, USA

Car stalls on the road when you come to a sudden stop. This problem is concerning the torque converter and this is a hazardous problem and should be considered a recall for these type of model cars.

- Wailuku, HI, USA

Software update required that is not cover by recall. If not updated, the check engine light, brake light, traction control, and cruse light blink.

- Centennial, CO, USA

Car feels like it's going to stall out at a stop. This been occurring now for a year. The problem is getting worse. When to Subaru, and, because it didn't happen when they were driving the car, the didn't do anything. My mechanic says he is seeing this problem a lot with this car, and it's a torque convertor issue. It's scary and potentially dangerous.

- Charleston, WV, USA

Faulty torque converter causing car to stall at intersections and applying the brakes.

- Stratford, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to be repaired at the dealer. The spark plugs were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 04/05/17

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5L cvt automatic 126,000 miles. Car will unexpectedly shudder then engine will quit at low rpms either coming to a stop or upon initial acceleration from a stop. Symptoms mimic a manual transmission clutch slipping/stalling. Engine operating temperature has no effect, nor vehicle turning, or varying electrical loads. This is an extremely dangerous situation as it can happen when pulling out into traffic or in heavy traffic (for example) and it happens repeatedly, unexpectedly and randomly. I urge the NHTSA in the strongest possible terms to issue mandatory recall and repair order as soon as possible to prevent loss of life and serious injury. I am aware of multiple complaints of this problem. Subaru has issued tsb 16-90-13 which addresses faulty part replacement in transmission torque converter with a newly redesigned part. However, to my knowledge, owners are not being notified of this serious safety situation, nor is suburu replacing the part free of charge if the drivetrain warranty has expired.I have been quoted $1200-$ 2000 dollars for repairs by Subaru. It is my concern that since the problem is intermittent and expensive to repair, even if the owners are notified by a voluntary tsb, they may not go to the expense to have it repaired, resulting in potential loss of life and injuries. This needs to be a mandatory recall. As an aside, I am an airline captain and a faa certified maintenance technician with over 40 years of experience in maintenance related safety issues, and it is my opinion that this situation requires urgent action on behalf of NHTSA and Subaru. Thank you

- Cameron Park, CA, USA

Driving and coming to a stop. At stop and engine idling, the engine misfires (stumbles) on occasion. It feels as though the engine will die, but then idles normally. This is intermittent and no engine light or fault code comes up. Dealer unable to correct because this has not happened when the car is taken in for service. I am afraid the car will stall in traffic. This has occurred over the last 3-4 years

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

Over heating maybe head gasket problem

- Rivervale, NJ, USA

Car shudders and sounds like engine will die when coming to complete stop. If this were a manual transmission, feels as if clutch should be pushed in. Problem occurs intermittently. Cold or hot engine. Problem became noticeable around 58,000-60,000 mile.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

We bought our car in 2010 its a Subaru Outback. There has always been an issue with a loss of power. The dealership at the time said it was caused by excessive carbon build up on the pistons. Its now 2016 and the car will stutter and shut off when you are braking at red lights. To try to beat the stutter and stall, I find myself having to ease off the brakes and try to reapply my brakes to see if it won't shut off. I've avoid many accidents but one of these days I won't be so lucky. I feel a rear end accident is coming. This stutter and stall happens any time during the day and in any weather. This morning there was no issue, this afternoon there might be. Usually once the car stutters and stalls the problem goes away for the day. I read some other complaints on nhsta and they are reporting their similar issue as it being a possible torque converter problem. I'm not sure either way since my mileage puts me over the warranty and I don't want an accident to deal with I would like to see what are options to getting this problem taken care since its been doing this since 2010.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

When driving and approaching a traffic light the car will begin to stutter as if there is a clog in the system. Then it will shut off. I contacted Subaru regarding the issue when we first had the car because there was always a loss of power. Our model is the Outback 2010. They inspected and said it was a carbon build up in the pistons that would cause this issue. There hasn't been any recalls or Subaru notices about this. Now while driving and coming to a stop the car just turns off. On your site nhsta some other customers have been saying that it could also be a bad torque converter. Either way this issue could cause serious accident if not dealt with. The stutter and shutting off happens any time of the day and cold or hot weather it doesn't matter. Some days it happens more often the others and usually after a few times of shutting off the problem does stop for remainder of the day.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle's temperature gauge was abnormally high and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the temperature gauge needed to be replaced and more coolant needed to be added. The vehicle was repaired however the vehicle overheated while driving. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the both head gaskets had blown, the radiator was cracked, and the water pump had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

The head gaskets need to be replaced at 85,000. The car was being driven and the overheat light went on. I pulled over and turned off the engine. Took the car into service and was told that the head gaskets need to be replaced, short block replaced and other related engine parts. A head gasket issue should not be happening at 85K miles on any car, but especially a Subaru whose representation is about dependability and ruggedness.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Cvt transmission. The vehicle predictably stalls while in motion approaching a stop on city streets or on the highway. Electric system remains operational during and after stalling indicating that the issue is unrelated to electrical system. Mechanic believes issue to be now-known and widespread faulty torque converter. Vehicle stalling in traffic has become very dangerous and has nearly caused several accidents.

- Mt Juliet, TN, USA

As I was pulling into a parking space with a foot to go, going less than 5 mph, the engine surged and the car suddenly lunged forward, climbed a 6 inch curb and traveled about 4 feet and hit a wooden staircase of a building. The entire time my foot was on the brake. This entire event took less than a second.

- Long Valley, NJ, USA

After decelerating to approximated 5-15 mph and then applying the accelerator there is a 1-2 second delay before the vehicle begins to accelerate. When it does it tends to buck or accelerate faster than intended as the accelerator was depressed further as there was no acceleration. Driving in city traffic that has almost resulted in a accident dozens of times. There have been two tsb's issued for this known problem one for the engine and one for the transmission, neither one of which has addressed the issue. I have taken the vehicle to two different dealers who state that this is a known issue and that there is no known fix. This issue occurs every time the vehicle is driven at the above stated speeds.

- Astoria, NY, USA

Traveling on icy road approx. 20mph or less in 2010 Outback 3.6 ltd. Very accustomed to driving severe mountain winter conditions & 8th Subaru among family members. Seatbelt, shoulder restraint in place on driver. Oncoming driver in mid-size to large truck lost control at high speed, crossed center line and impacted Subaru head-on, offset to left side of Outback & 2010 Outback was totaled. Subaru airbags did not deploy. Impact into front left side, crumpled hood up to windshield, which shattered. His hood was inside Subaru engine compartment, remained under Subaru hood along with other parts of his vehicle after vehicles were towed. Subaru radiator was pushed in at approx 45 degree angle, left wheel bent inwards, left front bumper gone back to tire and much more damage. His airbags deployed and Subaru's did not. Subaru driver hit head, knees, shins on interior parts of Subaru: Black eye, forehead hematoma, indentation & scraped, knees/shins bruised and scraped plus back/neck plus more scrapes/bruises and concussion. Thankful that his truck stopped up against driver side doorpost and didn't encroach into driver compartment but unbelievable that Subaru airbags didn't deploy. 5'6" & approx. 135 pounds. First of our Subaru to be in a crash and had no idea airbags wouldn't deploy.

- Steamboat Springs, CO, USA

Car stalls unexpectedly when stopping/stopped. Random occurrences. Gas tank can be full or low, does not seem to matter. Idle may be a bit rough right before it quits running. Occurs when A/C is on or off. Have taken to dealer for service/evaluation, cannot find anything wrong with it. Car has started immediately after occurrence

- Fowlerville, MI, USA

The engine stalls while at a stop or coming to a stop. The rpms suddenly drop and the engine stops. Car will restart and operate normally for a while but the problem has been persistent and is occurring more frequently. The dealer could not replicate the problem and returned the vehicle to us. The next day, it did the same thing. This is a dangerous situation especially when making a turn and experiencing a stall, loss of power steering, and acceleration.

- Tustin, CA, USA