2013 Subaru Outback Power Train Problems
- 42
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- warning light · 5 records
- transmission failed · 5 records
- failure mileage · 5 records
- nothing wrong · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 13 |
| 1–30k mi | 13 |
| 60–100k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
I was driving home from work and a warning light came on. The warning light indicated that the transmission fluid was overheating. I noticed steam was coming from under the hood. The car ceased forward momentum and came to a halt in the middle of the road (curvy and hilly country road). Inspection showed transmission fluid gushing out of the transmission. A large puddle joined what i later discovered to be nearly…
ODI 11278129
Power Train
Having maintained my subaru outback at a subaru dealer since purchase, i expected few major problems. Over the last few months, a small buzzing sound from the transmission has grown to a loud sound. The subaru tech said my transmission was done. 133000 miles and subaru offered $1000 toward a new car or new $8000 transmission. The car is now worthless.
ODI 11258542
Engine · Power Train
116,700 miles and need to replace valve body. Concern raised at 83,000 miles but was advised to flush transmission. Automatic transmission temperature warning light comes on every summer, and concern raised but was only advised to pull over and let it cool. Also having problem with low engine oil warning and need to add 1 - 2 quarts between 6000 mile oil change. This is a known issue and the short block may need to…
ODI 11234456
Power Train
While driving on i 10 at 70 mph, 30 mile's east of tallahassee. Fl, the transmission failed. Luckily, i coasted to the shoulder. It easily could have ended in a fatality. In february, 2019, the at oil temp light came on. At that time fitzgerald subaru in clearwater fl (my hometown) checked out my car and said nothing is wrong. So, i was driving the car for my vacation in michigan and the at oil temp came on again…
ODI 11219097
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Issue is ongoing for the last 6 months. Vehicle intermittently stalls when at idle and placed in gear. Hesitation when accelerating while driving (acts as if it not getting enough power.) i have taken the vehicle to 3 different dealerships and contacted subaru of america and i am not getting anywhere. Dealerships can't duplicate the problem, so therefore can't diagnose the problem. I have video records of this issue…
ODI 11189965
Power Train
At 107k miles my transmission failed. Only certain vin #'s are recalled. Mine not being one of them. Although there is a known transmission problem with 2013 subaru outbacks. I have to replace the transmission.
ODI 11184010
Electronic Stability Control · Power Train
Loud noise when making a sharp turn down hill to the right. Also traction control/cvt fails on wet surface or snow.
ODI 11186953
Power Train
The transmission jerks and stutters and while in traffic the car lost power for approximately 5 seconds and i was almost hit. It happens at low and high speeds. It has happened on city streets and the latest was on the highway. I have also had it stall completely at low speeds. I've had it in the dealership 3 times and they say they can't replicate it. I have had the transmission flushed. It still continues. It…
ODI 11180162
Power Train
I was driving early in the morning when the car, a 2013 subaru outback, started to act unpredictably;revving and jumpy. I was scared to continue driving it in that state and pulled into a parking lot. It seemed clear it would not make it up the 8 % grade hill that was 1/4 mile or so further down the road. I had to be towed out of the lot to the local subaru dealer. I understand such total failure transmission events…
ODI 11170612
Power Train
Grinding coming from transmission. The vehicle stalls or delays in the transmission when taking off from stops. In one particular instance, the car had such a delay in heavy traffic that we could have had an serious accident if husband had not pulled over to get out of the way. Another time it delayed for over 20 seconds at a stop light and someone nearly rear ended us. 2 separate technicians from two separate…
ODI 11165666
Power Train
Takata recall the transmission started failing at around 105k. It turns out this is a known problem by subaru and after talking to customer service, they refused to fix the issue owing to the fact that it was over 100k miles. They gave extended warranties for vehicles but only up to 100k. I think that this should have been an actual recall and not an extended warranty. Its a major safety concern that subaru is aware…
ODI 11222789
Power Train
I am the original owner of this vehicle. The transmission failed at around 71,000 miles with a 60,000 mile warranty. Subaru offered to assist with the cost of the repair in the amount of $3,600. Much later subaru reimbursed the full amount of the repair. I believe this action was to avoid a recall. The vehicle is now at around 131,000 miles and the transmission has failed again. Subaru has offered a $1,000 credit on…
ODI 11139373
Power Train
While driving the transmission light starts flashing along with the brake lights many warning lights and i drove it right to the dealer just a couple miles away they tested it said the transmission is no longer functioning properly the car was making a low pitched rumbling sound for a few weeks before that and for a long time there was a delay while putting the shifter in to park before that for over year and a half…
ODI 11131759
Power Train
This 2013 subaru outback was purchased in dec. 2013. The original warranty was for 60,000 miles. At some point, due to issues with this make and models transmission, the warranty of these vehicles was extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles. This car now is 5 years old and has 130,000 miles and the subaru dealership is saying that the transmission needs to be replaced at a price tag of $10,000. Subaru usa is offering…
ODI 11128595
Power Train
We have owned the vehicle for about a year. A few weeks ago the transmission started making a horrendous noise and the car is now a very expensive lawn ornament. I have heard from a mechanic friend that the subaru cvt transmissions are known to have issues. My husband had just picked up our kids from daycare and when he went to leave the car didn't want to go in gear and made a grinding noise that it continued to…
ODI 11120735
Power Train
For several months, subaru of america was made aware of our vehicle's dangerous performance. Stalling while coming to a stop, turning as well as a noticeable whining noise from the cvt. The vehicle was taken into gillman subaru sw due to these issues in july, 2018, before the end of the "extended warranty". The vehicle was misdiagnosed as having bad wheel bearings and possibly bad spark plugs. Both ended up turning…
ODI 11154875
Power Train
Cvt transmission many issues including the transmission overheating and causing the car to completely shut off. Problems perseist and dealership can find nothing wrong initially , but the transmission has been becoming worse and worse sicnce these issues started and the transmission stalls the car.
ODI 11282567
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle would downshift to a lower gear without warning. The failure intermittently recurred. The vehicle was taken to capitol subaru (located at 920 capitol expressway auto mall, san jose, ca 95136, [redacted]) where diagnostic testing was completed; however, a failure code could not be found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
ODI 11131607
Power Train · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. While driving 60 mph, the brakes seized without warning. Last week, the transmission seized while in traffic on the golden gate bridge. On both occasions, the contact had to pull the vehicle over to prevent a crash. The transmission warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was towed three times to marin subaru ([redacted] e, san rafael, ca 94901, [redacted]) where it…
ODI 11187060
Power Train
My car has been consuming oil to the point where it has a d minus according to the dealership but has not fixed the problem and it keeps happening. The first time they said it was almost an f. I have about 3000 miles on it when it needs oil .
ODI 11187125
Power Train
Noise coming from underneath vehicle when accelerating that i noticed in feb 2017. Took the car in to subaru dealer and all they did was replace the differential fluid and said "noise will go away with time." like any car issue, it did not go away on its own. Oct 2018 took the car in to local mechanic and they said it needed a new cvt transmission. Also said that my car could stall at any time so i did not drive it.…
ODI 11155205
Power Train
While driving at very low speeds between 10-20 mph, usually in front of a school in session, the speed surges from the current speed to a lower speed back to the same speed. It is not consistent but it occurs at least 3-5 times per week. This has been going on for almost a year but overtime it is taken in to the subaru dealer, they are unable to duplicate the issue and always state that they have found nothing…
ODI 11032593
Power Train
Vehicle was in motion at at a consistent speed of around 15 mph, the vehicle stalled and suddenly stopped. The gas pedal was unresponsive and the vehicle would not move. Had to stop, put the transmission back in park, restart the vehicle, at which point the vehicle began to move again.
ODI 11020393
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. While driving various speeds, the transmission failed. The contact stated that all four wheels seized intermittently and the vehicle made a loud grinding noise prior to the failure. Sendell subaru (5085 us-30, greensburg, pennsylvania 15601, [redacted]) replaced the transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: sr#:…
ODI 11140316
Power Train
Sabaru has a problem with their automatic transmissions in 2010 tho 2015 vehicles. I have 2013. It has been determined that my transmission needs to be replace. I've been waiting for over a month now and parts ( a new transmission} are still not available. I'm complaining so it is noted that sabaru is dragging their feet on getting this problem resolved. The least sabaru could do is inform the customer as to a date…
ODI 11030391