2010-15 Legacy/ Outback 2.5L CVT Garavel Subaru dealer expensive fixing and some cars have recalls.

- Stamford, CT, USA

The installed cvt transmission has developed a leak at 115,000 miles or less. The only solution offered by Subaru as a means to repair the seal leak is to install and entirely new transmission at a cost of $7,000. The transmission is not bad - the seal is. There was a warranty extension specifically due to this issue with this cvt transmission and model year - and we are only just out of the covered period. The cvt was incorrectly designed initially, and the potential for injury or accident due to not addressing the issue is high. Subaru has not offered any solution at this point, and has suggested that we 'buy another model'. thanks for nothing. A powertrain on a Subaru should last - and is reputed to last - upwards of 200,000 miles. We got a lemon.

- Boulder, CO, USA

Our 2011 Subaru Outback had a radiator leak with no warning signal. The car overheated, the radiator cracked, and we blew the headgasket. Only after the damage was done did a warning light come on. The car only has 100K miles and has been carefully maintained.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

My vehicle loses power and stalls in traffic when slowing down on a city street. This is a common issue with the torque converter in Subaru made around this year. Subaru is aware of this issue and has even issued a service bulletin regarding this problem. They also extended the warranty on the cvt because of so many complaints regarding this issue but have not issued a recall. This is extremely unsafe and stalling in traffic could cause serious injury and death. There should be a recall on this defective torque converter.

- Olympia, WA, USA

Vehicle engine stalls and shuts down when I brake at intersections/lights. I have to put car in P-ark and restart the engine. This started happening within last two months and is increasing in frequency; car now has 121 000 miles. It is a very unnerving experience and raises safety concerns. I have scheduled a service call with local dealership tomorrow but noticed on Subaru's site similar concerns from other drivers.

- Indiana, PA, USA

2011 Subaru Outback with cvt transmission stalls when coming to an abrupt stop. Subaru has a tsb and knows there is an issue with the torque converters in these cars. The vehicle stalled coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of an intersection. This is a major safety issue that should be corrected via recall of cvt model 2011 Outbacks.

- Spencer, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph approaching at a red light, the vehicle stalled and was almost rear-ended by another vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving to her residence. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to bowser automotive - power of bowser (1001 clairton blvd, pleasant hills, pa 15236) and was diagnosed with a torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- West Mifflin, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after coming to a stop, the vehicle would shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer glanzmann Subaru located at 95 old york rd B, jenkintown, pa 19046 who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V326000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

When driving the 2011 Subaru Outback and coming to a stop, the vehicle will shake and/or shudder and will oftentimes stall out. The dealer claims that we need to remove the engine and replace the torque converter. This seems to be a known issue on the 2011 Outback and there has been a technical service bulletin issued for this. This is not safe as this can happen on hills or in winter on snowy/icy roads so should be elevated to a recall. Not too mention the cost of this repair is outside the realm of realism and lands in the zone of cruel and unusual punishment.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

When turning sharply or coming to a quick stop, the car shudders and stalls. Subaru acknowledged the problem once and replaced the torque converter, but the problem is back and they will not pay for any further repairs for this issue, which has been ongoing. It's dangerous to have the car stall suddenly!

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

Vehicle repeatedly stalls abruptly while slowing down or turning. Please see attached documents for further details. The consumer stated the power train had a failed part that should have been recalled.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

Occasionally, perhaps 4 times in the last year, when I put my car into 'drive', the engine engages and lurches forward. It feels as though the car with take off forward at a high speed.

- Portland, OR, USA

Durning hard/quick stops the car will shake just before stopping as if the engine wants to stall. More then half of the time the car will stall. It will start right back up but this is a huge safety issue having your call stall in the middle of the road. Subaru has issued a service bulletin 16-90-13R for this issue. Basically they need to replace the torque converter. They also extended the power train warranty to 100,000mi from 60,000mi. Cars that are outside the extended warranty are out of luck for any no financial assistance from Subaru for a known safety issue. My local sabaru dealer just quoted me $2500 to fix a known safety issue. There should be a recall for the estimated 1.5 million Subaru's that the service bulletin addresses.

- Reno, NV, USA

I purchased this as a used vehicle as is with 130,000 miles. It was within a couples weeks that I noticed the vehicle would die every time I would brake at an intersection or stop sign/light. Thankfully, I live in a small town, but do occasionally travel to larger cities. As you could imagine, this is quite dangerous at busy intersections!!! I just recently hit 135,000 miles and now have another issue! at highway speed, it will intermittently hesitate, the RPM gauge jumps up and it makes a screeching noise. After researching on line, it appears that several consumers have complained about both issues. They are both caused by a problem with the cvt and that Subaru has made no attempt to correct the issue? I am a middle-class consumer and can not afford a brand new vehicle, so when I do purchase a used vehicle, I try to find something that has a history of being reliable and long-lasting. This vehicle is neither!!!

- Blencoe, IA, USA

When stopping the car stalls and dies on streets, highways, etc. I have almost been rear ended and it even died while obstructing oncoming traffic. Subaru issued a technical services bulletin (tsb 16-90-13R) which describes the issue perfectly, however due to milage (40K over 100K) they will not correct the bad part, which is no longer even availaable to purchase through them! part # 31100ab170. The new part 31100ab171 and 31100ab172 should be issued to all 2010-2012 Outback owners as a recall. If they will not even sell the original part anymore because they know it is garbage and then play the feel good best car ever commercials, that is misleading and fraudulent. Help NHTSA, you are our only hope.

- Carson City, NV, USA

While entering an intersection, upon breaking the Subaru unexpectedly stalled out. We were very startled because the car behind us honked the horn for us to move on. We feel very unsafe now with our everyday driving.

- Malden, MA, USA

The randomly stalls when trying to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. This has happened on numerous occasions, and has left me and my son stalled in the middle of an intersection on a few occasions. On one occassion, we were almost hit by a car entering the intersection. In addition to this, the at oil lights up whenever traveling longer distances. The mechanic has said the car has a failing transmission. I contacted soa due to the the extended warranty they have on the vehicle. The car meets the 10 year time-frame of the extended warranty but they will not honor the extension because of the miles which were 132,000. I just bought the car put maybe $1000 miles on it before the transmission started giving us problems. There is a documented issue with the Subaru 2011 cvt that requires a recall, not an extended warranty. Look all of the internet on customers having their cvt transmission fail at just over 100,000 miles and being stuck with $7000 repair bills.

- Mound, MN, USA

When am driving and I need to stop for any emergency and I hit the brakes the engine will stall due a failure torque converter manufacture, it is really dangerous and after a sudden stop I would not be able to drive away and I was about to involve in a major accident because of this stalling issue.

- Houston, TX, USA

November 2019, at 115,000 miles the transmission started slipping requiring a replacement. I was told by Subaru of America corporate that "Subaru doesn't have transmission problems." There is a lot of evidence out there to the contrary. May of 2020 the vehicle started overheating. It was diagnosed by a mechanic that the head gasket was failing and needed to be replaced. This is another known issue with Subaru. A $28,000 2011 auto is only supposed to last 120,000 miles?

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Torque converter assembly repair. When slowing down to a stop, the car shakes, shimmies and shuts off. I have to restart. This is very dangerous. I've spoken to Subaru and they say they won't fix the problem on my car because it has 149K miles on it. They say they will give me 1,000 dollars toward purchase of a new car. I would like my car repaired.

- Cranford, NJ, USA