10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,439 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Subaru Outback drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 6 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #103

Feb 132019

Outback

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Automobile @ 125,000 mile attempts to stall at low rpms and stops. Jerking motions happen when attempting to accelerate the automobile from a stop. Dealer reports valve body needs repair. I understand a recall without admitting any fault by Subaru, yet the recall had an expiration date. This date need to be extended for those who are experiencing the problem since the recall expiration date.

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #102

Jan 302019

Outback

  • miles
My car is stalling very dangerously due to a faulty transmission that subary acknowledged is defective in its public release from 1/6/2014 subject-"design change to lock up type torque converter." While it extended the warranty for this problem, I no longer qualify because my mileage was exceeded by a few thousands. I can not afford the repair which is estimated at around $4400 and this is my only vehicle I own and need it for work. Driving the car is very dangerous because it stalls in unpredictable situations. I was almost rear ended a few days ago and I am very concerned about my safety. The Subaru dealer is refusing to make the repair even though the problem is widespread, widely reported and conceded by the company. I have no where to turn and I ask you for help to get Subaru agree to fix my car under the terms of the extended warranty. Thank you very much

- East Jewett, NY, USA

problem #101

Dec 012018

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
The car stalls after coming to a stop. There's even a service bulletin # 16-90-13R covering this problem. They want $1500 to fix this problem. Subaru has known about this problem for a long time.

- Moodus, CT, USA

problem #100

Dec 052018

Outback

  • 186,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stalls when stopped

- Blacklick, OH, USA

problem #99

Dec 222018

Outback

  • 113,000 miles
All of the lights started flashing on my dash. The car has 114,000 miles. It is a faulty valve body and the transmission is shot. There are metal shavings in the transmission fluid. Subaru quoted me $7000 to fix it. The cars not even worth $5000. I am out of warranty and there's nothing they can do. I am done with Subaru.

- Barre, VT, USA

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problem #98

Jan 022015

Outback

  • 40,000 miles
At about 40K miles, my dealer maintained 2011 Outback began to have an engine shudder immediately after making a full stop in gear, e.g. at a red light. It happens very infrequently and cannot be replicated on command. The near-stall is similar to not depressing a clutch with a manual transmission. The shudder is very brief. Sometimes dash lights flash, but the engine has never completely stalled. The only consistency is that it only occurs at a full stop in gear. It is very unsafe when the near-stall occurs at the same time I'm trying to pull out into traffic. The hesitation is long enough to make my action dangerous. Subaru has had my vehicle multiple times, sometimes for weeks, but has been unable to diagnose and repair. The transmission tested good. Torque converter was replaced, and is a common issue for many owners, but it did nothing for me. The engine shudder has been occurring for 45K miles. Though the issue started while under full power train warranty, Subaru will not perform any services at their cost. This is a common issue with 2010-12 Outback owners. A quick search online supports that, including a related technical service bulletin issued by Subaru. I do not know what is occurring, nor does Subaru. It is frustrating to have a common issue with no resolution.

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #97

Nov 112018

Outback

  • 149,090 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My dash lights came on suddenly.. after researching states type torque converter for transmission needs to be replaced.. Subaru wants me to purchase whole new transmission, loss of power and gas mileage. The car was running when these lights came on.

- Vermilion, OH, USA

problem #96

Oct 252018

Outback 4-cyl

  • 211,000 miles
Recently while braking hard, my car shudders and stalls. It has happened on the highway and on side streets. It can also happen with regular to light braking especially if it is cold. After diagnosing my issue, my mechanic produced the technical service bulletin 16-90-13R which details the problem occurring. He and Subaru confirmed the repair is at least $6100. When I called Subaru customer service they told me that letters went out to all owners last year, but I never received the letter, and of course I am past the July 31, 2018 deadline, so they say I am out of warranty. I have spoken to customer service several times and am now consulting with my dealer to see what they can do for me. I feel this is a safety issue that should have been a recall and not a technical service bulletin to dealers and a notice to owners. I am also mailing a certified letter to thomas J. doll, president and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc. Detailing my situation and my concerns. I am attaching a copy of the notice to owners and the technical service bulletin my mechanic printed for me.

- East Greenwich, RI, USA

problem #95

Oct 222018

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, excessive force had to be applied to the brake pedal, in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred. The cruise control, overheat, brake and check engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when at a stop sign if the brake pedal was not steadily being depressed the brake would disengage and the vehicle would accelerate independently. The contact also stated that the electronic emergency brake failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called Continental Subaru dealer (907) 562-2722, 4900 old seward hwy, anchorage, ak 99503) where it was recommended to replace the transmission and to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Willow, AK, USA

problem #94

Oct 252018

Outback

  • 117,000 miles
Bulletin number 16-90-13R. Subaru is aware that 2010-2012 Outback and legacy models have a faulty torque converter which causes the car to shut down/stall whenever you are braking. I found this out the hard way when braking on a major highway and the car shut off while in stop and go traffic. I was braking and the car shuttered and then turned off completely. I almost got rear ended. I also found through research that it could ruin my cvt transmission. When contacting Subaru they stated that because the part is not a recall part there is nothing that can be done and I will have to pay for the part out of pocket. This is a dangerous problem as the part was known to be faulty and to cause the car to shut off. Had I gotten hit whose fault would it have been.....

- Rockland, DE, USA

problem #93

Dec 172017

Outback

  • 131,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle has had transmission related issues since I purchased it. I have taken it to the dealer numerous times to have it addressed and was always told it was nothing. In Dec. 2017 my car broke down while on vacation in fl, it had 131,500 miles at the time. After having it towed it was diagnosed as a valve body failure. 10 months and 7K miles later it is now stalling and shutting down when I brake and I have been told that I need a new torque converter. I never received the letter about the cvt transmission issues and extended warranty, nor was this covered when I had the valve body replaced. The car stalling when braking is a huge safety issue and should be a recall. I luckily have not had to brake to the point of the car shutting down when driving on a road with higher speed limits, it has only happened in town when approaching stop lights or stop signs.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #92

Sep 012018

Outback

  • 115,000 miles
Cvt failure. While driving..car shuddered, dash lights came on and stalled out. Mileage: 115.000...just over extended warranty. Cost of repairs $9,597.70 plus tax. Contacted Subaru....they will not help.

- Portland, TN, USA

problem #91

Sep 212018

Outback

  • 156,000 miles
My vehicle was covered under the 'extended warranty' Subaru offered after my oem transmission was failing and overheating with 154,000 miles on the odometer. 13 months, and 28,000 miles later, my second transmission is failing. I have an offer from Subaru of America for a $2000 credit to trade in my car on a new Subaru. The dealership that performed the warranty work also offered me %50 coverage since it was close to the 12 month warranty they offer on work. I do not want a new car, I want my car to be able to last. 18,000 miles on a transmission is not good enough and a consumer should be able to expect at least 75,000 miles or 3 years. These cvts are flawed, and Subaru customers need to be treated better than this, at least from corporate. Subaru deserves to recall this part and take care of the issue. At the very least the consecutive transmissions should be warrantied as a new part and not considered part of the current vehicle power train mileage warranty. I've been a loyal Subaru owner for 12 years, driving 3 different cars. I have no choice but to accept my local dealerships offer to replace the part, and I'm disgusted by Subaru of America's offer to buy another one of their shoddy vehicles for a small discount. I hope that this comment persuades the NHTSA to mandate a recall, and the company to change its practices, I also hope that readers will reconsider their Subaru's, and get out of their unsafe cars as long as they can do so. This company is not worth it, don't be fooled by their marketing campaigns. Choose a Toyota SUV or truck.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #90

Sep 282018

Outback

  • 115,000 miles
Today I took in my Subaru Outback 3.6R for an oil change while coming home I had experienced something like someone had hit me from behind. What had happen was when I come to a stop or slow traffic and begin to accelerate I get a maybe a late/or a delay in shifting causing the car to jerk or a bang. This really concern me so I'm taking it in today.

- Pomona, CA, USA

problem #89

Sep 282018

Outback

  • 158,600 miles
My 2011 Subaru Outback is experiencing shuddering and stalls when going downhill or uphill, coming to a stop at city street intersections, resulting in the engine shutting off. It occurs randomly and I nearly got in accidents with drivers behind me having to react to the sudden, full stops. In one week, it has happened 3 times. I fear driving in the car alone and certainly with my family in the car! upon notifying my Subaru dealership of this experience, they stated it was an update I need. I never received any notice from Subaru of said update. I have been diligent with service and any update/repair suggested by Subaru dealership. I feel this is an emergent safety concern and notification to Subaru owners!

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #88

Sep 242018

Outback

  • 144,000 miles
2011 Subaru Outback stalled on a hill on a highway while the care while accelerating and emergency codes came on. Took it to a mechanic and found out that there are major issues with the cvt transmission. Found out that Subaru has known about this stalling issue for some time now and instead of doing a recall; has just extended the warranty for some time. When I visited the Subaru dealership in the past; no one alerted me to think possible issue. Thankfully, no one was hurt when it occurred to me but stalling on a highway can definitely lead to injuries.

- Hernando, FL, USA

problem #87

Aug 112018

Outback

  • 182,000 miles
The car started shaking violently on the highway and all warning lights came on flashing, prompting us to pull over immediately with our two small children in back. We had to get the car towed and our mechanic noted the computer codes were for the transmission issue that Subaru was extending the warranty for. We took it to 2 Subaru dealers to confirm, which the 2nd one did after the 1st one refused to look at the car. Unfortunately, since it happened 11 days after their warranty expired they won't fix it unless we pay $4000+ or trade it in for a brand new car which we can't afford. If they knew this was an issue to provide a warranty on it then they should repair it for free as the car is unsafe to drive as-is. There should be a recall.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

problem #86

Aug 282018

Outback

  • 114,000 miles
My husband and I were driving from Maryland to New York city late at night. All of a sudden, we heard a grinding noise and within 30 minutes our car completely broke down. No warning lights ever came on in the car indicating there was a serious issue. We had just gotten off the verrazano bridge. Had the car stopped on the bridge, we could have been seriously injured, if not killed. We came to find out that it was a full transmission failure. The Subaru dealer in New York indicated that there was no transmission fluid left in the front differential, but they could not find any signs of a leak. The valve body was repaired in September 2017 and at that time it was covered under Subaru's extended cvt warranty. At the time of that repair work, the Subaru service center who did the work confirmed that they had added some transmission fluid to the car. We contacted Subaru of America to see if they would help us with the cost of a new transmission, since the extended warranty had only just expired on July 31, 2018 (our car broke down on August 28) and because we had already had transmission work done less than a year ago. Subaru of american very rudely informed us that they have "zero financial obligation to us" and would not be helping us with the cost of repairs ($7000 to repair). We are beside ourselves with how this happened to our car. How can we have a full transmission failure less than a year after transmission work was done on the car and have no warning lights come on in the car indicating there was an issue" how did all of the transmission fluid leak out of our car without us knowing, and how is it that Subaru is unable to find the cause of the leak" and what kind of company does not stand by and help a customer with an issue that they clearly knew was occurring (hence extended the cvt warranty to begin with)? Subaru should have issued a recall on this vehicle.

- Catonsville, MD, USA

problem #85

Aug 212018

Outback

  • 118,036 miles
Car recently began to almost stall while driving after coming to a stop or while traveling at low speeds. Check engine light then came on and the error code indicates a problem with the transmission. Took the car to dealership for repairs and they said that the car needs a new transmission. Car was dealer serviced for the recommended 100,000 mile service in August '17; no mention of the known transmission issues was made. Now 3 weeks after the "extended warranty" period has expired the transmission appears to have failed. Was charged over $200 for the dealer service department to reset the check engine light and the light came back on on the way home from the dealer service department. Currently waiting to see if Subaru corporate will stand behind their product; in any event the problem appears to be widespread and posses a hazard to motorists since the affected vehicles can stop, stall, or loose power while on the road with little to no warning.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #84

Jul 132018

Outback

  • 135,000 miles
Transmission failure after 135000 M replace with use one for $3800 new one is $8000 + labor = $10000 is to expensive

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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