2011 Subaru Outback transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 10V326000Jul 20, 2010809 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

  Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted.

  Risk: If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of a problem. If the sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.

  Remedy: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on july 28, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 23, 2025VATransmission & Drivetrain

   My CVT Transmission started having problems with the Valve Body inside the transmission. On acceleration from a complete stop my vehicle would start "bucking" hard causing a violent back and forth rocking or "jerking" of the drive train and vehicle. I did not request a inspection of the failed Valve Body when I paid to have it replaced. The life and safety of myself and others are at severe risk of injury or death resulting from a complete failure of the Valve Body component…

   NHTSA complaint #11682581 · source
2. Filed May 8, 2025100,000 miMATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission output shift was bent and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11659784 · source
3. Filed Feb 3, 2025MITransmission & Drivetrain

   Torque converter issue that causes stalling similar to a manual transmission vehicle. The issue should have been a full recall but instead was only a "bulletin." For my own safety, I am stuck paying several thousand dollars for an issue the manufacturer is aware of but refused to cover by full recall. It is not just wear-and-tear, and is a danger to myself and other drivers on the road. And because the previous owner(s) were negligent in making sure the vehicle was repaired…

   NHTSA complaint #11640426 · source
4. Filed Jan 16, 2025OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   When coming to a stop the RPM's drop and the engine will stall, similar to not engaging the clutch on a manual transmission. Luckily there has not been a crash to date but the condition has worsened to the point it is no longer safe to drive and must be repaired. This is a known safety flaw with the torque converter and Subaru denied any responsibility or assistance in the quoted $2,400 repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11636313 · source
5. Filed Dec 31, 2024CO1 injuredElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Coolant leak, steering power fluid leak, break pad leak, gasoline line leak, seat heater, clicking noise after turning off car, leaking seats and rear view mirror also leaking, steering wheel expanding due to possible air bag, heater and ac vents lose and also chemical smell/gas/coolant coming from front and back of car, sunroof not secured. Every wiring wet, charger port in middle compartment wet when plugging something in. Everything auto does not work. Car sounds like…

   NHTSA complaint #11633292 · source
6. Filed Sep 24, 2024FLBody & StructureBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bought vehicle from Carvana, immediately noticed transmission shudder issues when driving near 50 mph. Brought vehicle in to multiple repair facilities. It had warped brakes, bad calipers, needed a new torque converter at least and the repair shop recommended a total transmission replacement. The whole vehicle shakes when driving near that speed or braking.

   NHTSA complaint #11616153 · source
7. Filed Mar 18, 2024WITransmission & Drivetrain

   Seems like a transmission problem on my Subaru Outback. While braking to a stop the car shudders and then the engine stalls creating a hazardous situation. I'm forced to put the car in park and restart the engine. This sounds like a common issue with the tourque converter on these cars. This problem happens on a near daily basis unless you drive with such extreme caution you can sometimes avoid the issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11578081 · source
8. Filed Nov 9, 2023FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car shudders when we come to a stop, sometimes cuts off completely. I am told this is a faulty torque converter. This is my 5th subaru, so I love the car, but, I have a family now, and I am not sure this is a safe vehicle for them to be in, please help me!!

   NHTSA complaint #11554325 · source
9. Filed Sep 24, 2023INDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failure at 55mph my couldn't shift and the motor revved up all the way to the redline mark and wouldn't stop when I tried to stop it the reaction control lights came on the cruise control light was flashing the emergency break light was flashing every light on my dash was flashing there was a terrible vibration in the steering wheel the Transmission was humming really loud and just got worse the car just kept going and not stopping I could have hit someone…

   NHTSA complaint #11546209 · source
10. Filed Aug 28, 2023NYBrakesOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    My mechanic tells me my Outback's K frame/engine cradle is rotting out where the control arms are attached. This is obviously a common problem with this run of vehicles, and leads to catastrophic failure. Further, the rear brake lines have rotted, and the geniuses ran them above the fuel tank, which would have to be dropped in order to repair. I believe this is a common enough problem to warrant investigation.

    NHTSA complaint #11541160 · source
11. Filed Aug 11, 2023MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle engine/transmission/torque converter dies when coming to a stop. This is especially an issue when having to stop suddenly and get going again quickly as the vehicle has to be put in neutral, restarted, and put back in drive. It is a safety issue at traffic lights, traffic signals, and in stop and go traffic that has resulted in a multitude of near-miss rear end collisions that put my life and my families lives in danger. There is a service bulletin from Subaru…

    NHTSA complaint #11537892 · source
12. Filed Aug 7, 2023VTTransmission & Drivetrain

    October 2019 Torque Converter failed, with unexpected stall outs & difficulty re-starting at stops. This was potentially dangerous, as driver could not get out of way of approaching vehicles.

    NHTSA complaint #11536998 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology