2012 Subaru Outback transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 19, 2024CATransmission & Drivetrain

   When coming to a stop, the car shudders and often stalls just like if you didn't press in the clutch on a manual transmission. No warning lights or messages. See details in TSB- 16-90-13R. Subaru knows about this issue and it has been reported in many vehicles. My car was at a Subaru dealership at least half a dozen times during 2017-2018 when this issue came to light and no one notified us to have it checked. Fast forward to now and for the last year my car has been…

   NHTSA complaint #11631701 · source
2. Filed Dec 2, 2024OHEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle stalls when stopping. This is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. Dealership diagnosed a faulty torque converter. This torque converter (it should be part number 31100AB170) issue is widely known in this production series of the Subaru outback. After hundreds of complaints were filed with the NHTSA, Subaru extended the warranty on all their automatic transmissions to avoid a recall around 2017, but closed the extended warranty…

   NHTSA complaint #11628345 · source
3. Filed Oct 15, 2024NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving on the highway, we were forced to brake swiftly. As a result, the known issue of the torque converter in this model of car caused the engine to stall in the middle lane of the highway and almost causing our deaths as multiple tractor-trailers had to swerve to avoid our immobilized vehicle until it could be restarted. This could've led to to the deaths of me, my family and many other road-users. I can't believe this isn't a recall when it's such a wide-spread…

   NHTSA complaint #11620003 · source
4. Filed Feb 9, 2024125,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated, prompting the contact to quickly exit the roadway, where the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11570996 · source
5. Filed Feb 2, 2024NMEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car stalls out at stops. It shutters and them stalls like a 5 speed car. I have almost been rear-ended on a couple occasions. It is now in the shop for a torque converter replacement

   NHTSA complaint #11569490 · source
6. Filed Jan 10, 2024MDTransmission & Drivetrain

   Couple weeks back while driving on the highway my check engine light came on along with different lights and transmission oil warning and car immediately lost power. I was able to pull over without incident. Then I took it to my local mechanic, they changed the transmission fluid and changed some fuses. It seemed fine after the repair and I started to drive home, but again the same warning lights came on and the repair shop advised me to take it to the nearest Subaru dealer…

   NHTSA complaint #11564648 · source
7. Filed Dec 26, 2023VTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   When coming to a quick or hard stop, car will rumble then stall out. To confirm that the issue is transmission based I shift the car into neutral then brake quickly and the issue does not arise.

   NHTSA complaint #11561859 · source
8. Filed Oct 7, 2023TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The torque converter is failing at 113,00. It has happened at red lights, but more recently while on a Texas freeway that I had to come to a hard stop which cause the engine to stall out at 40 mph. My child was in the car and on a fast paced highway my safety was placed in jeopardy. It is going to the shop to be repaired because is this. I will have proof of repair service and faulty part. .

   NHTSA complaint #11548795 · source
9. Filed Sep 26, 2023MNTransmission & Drivetrain

   Concerns of The torque converter - there is very low engine RPM when coming to a stop. Thrust washer wear inside the torque converter causing restriction of the oil passage used to bleed off lock-up clutch application pressure. This has resulted in low engine ROM and stalling of my vehicle on dangerous intersections. My car stalled in an intersection several times due to this issue almost causing sever injuries or death. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an…

   NHTSA complaint #11546629 · source
10. Filed Mar 28, 2023WATransmission & Drivetrain

    When braking hard, the engine shudders and quits. When car is put in park or neutral it can be started. At time the entire dash lights all go on before the engine shudders and quits when braking at stop lights. My mechanis said it is the torque converter. This is a know issue with subaru 2012 models. This could cause my car to be rearended by another car with the sudden engine stop. Subaru will not recall these vehicles but does offer an extended warranty. The problem is…

    NHTSA complaint #11514194 · source
11. Filed Jul 21, 2022ORTransmission & Drivetrain

    I own a 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium. The vehicle has approximately 161k miles. Recently, I have noticed the car beginning to stutter when approaching an abrupt stop. There have since been several instances where the car will stall when coming to a quick stop. This happened to me in the middle of traffic one day and I had my family in the car with me. In my opinion, this issue jeopardized the safety of my family. Stalling in the middle of the road and having to restart…

    NHTSA complaint #11475104 · source
12. Filed Feb 27, 2022OHTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle has always stuttered coming to stops but has began to start stalling. The problem was never diagnosed previously. Now that it is have found to be the torque converter I actually know what is happening. I don’t think being unable to rely on you vehicle to continue running in an emergency stop or break pump is a safety issue Subaru should take lightly. I have been faced with two Subaru known problem repairs recently that I didn’t know of at the time of purchase. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11454349 · 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