COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Subaru Outback transmission problems

141 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

141 reports
1999 model year · 100,000 miles · Feb 20, 2003
Power Train

WE HAVE AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE, AND WE HAVE SEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM ON 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THESE CARS DEVELOP A "TWEETY" CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING. WHEN WE GO IN TO REPLACE THE BEARING, WE HAVE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO CLIPS FOR THE BEARING IS ALWAYS MISSING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE BEARIN…

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WE HAVE AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE, AND WE HAVE SEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM ON 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THESE CARS DEVELOP A "TWEETY" CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING. WHEN WE GO IN TO REPLACE THE BEARING, WE HAVE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO CLIPS FOR THE BEARING IS ALWAYS MISSING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE BEARING TO GO BAD PREMATURELY. EACH TIME WE FIND THE SAME THING. ONE OF THE CLIPS ON THE CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING HAD BROKEN, CAUSING THE BEARING TO SIT CROOKED. THIS THEN ALLOWED THE CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING TO WEAR A GROOVE ON THE SNOUT THAT THE BEARING RIDES ON. THE BEARING WAS THEN GETTING CAUGHT IN THE GROOVE, PREVENTING IT FROM RELEASING FULLY. WE THEN NOT ONLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE BEARING AND THE CLIPS BUT ALSO THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HOUSING BECAUSE THE SNOUT IS CAST INTO THE HOUSING. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR SUCH AN INEXPENSIVE CLIP. WE FEEL THAT THESE CLIPS NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER TO FIND A STRONGER ONE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10007850

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2003
Power Train

NHTSA#02-V-282-000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006708

2000 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10003203

1999 model year · 43,000 miles · Jan 7, 2003
Power Train

JAN 6, 2003 (YOUR WEB SITE WON'T LET ME SELECT THE CURRENT YEAR, SO I SELECTED 2002, THE LAST AVAILABLE DATE THAT CAN BE SELECTED, BELOW) I OWN A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 MILES ON IT. THE CLUTCH MECHANISM HAS FAILED TWICE, ONCE AT 18,651 AND ONCE AT 42,500. BOTH TIMES THE THROW-OUT BEARING…

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JAN 6, 2003 (YOUR WEB SITE WON'T LET ME SELECT THE CURRENT YEAR, SO I SELECTED 2002, THE LAST AVAILABLE DATE THAT CAN BE SELECTED, BELOW) I OWN A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 MILES ON IT. THE CLUTCH MECHANISM HAS FAILED TWICE, ONCE AT 18,651 AND ONCE AT 42,500. BOTH TIMES THE THROW-OUT BEARING FAILED. I'VE OWNED 8 CARS AND DRIVEN THEM IN 10 STATES AND THREE PROVINCES. I'VE DRIVEN IN THE DESERT, THE MOUNTAINS AND BY THE OCEAN WITH MOST OF THESE CARS. IN ALL CASES, I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH BELOW 75,000 MILES! I'VE DRIVEN STANDARD/STICK MY WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER, EVER SEEN CLUTCH FAILURE LIKE THIS SUBARU. I DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH, I ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE IT PROPERLY, ETC. AND YET THE THROW-OUT BEARING KEEPS FAILING PREMATURELY.

NHTSA ODI #10000758

2000 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST GEAR OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT REPEATEDLY CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES, SUCH AS IN A PARKING GARAGE. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE CAR EMITTED A VERY STRONG SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE DEALER SAI…

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SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST GEAR OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT REPEATEDLY CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES, SUCH AS IN A PARKING GARAGE. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE CAR EMITTED A VERY STRONG SMELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE DEALER SAID THE SEALS ON THE TRANSMISSION WERE LEAKING AND REPLACED. IT IS APPARENT THAT A PETROLEUM PRODUCT IS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNING AND THE SMELL ENTERS THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO KEEP A/C ON AND THE RECYCLE AIR BUTTON PUSHED. ISSUES UNRESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763883

1998 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2002
Power Train

WHEN MAKING A TURN ON ROAD THERE IS SLIGHT VIBRATION. TRANSFER CASE HAD FAILED, CAUSING LOUD NOISE WHILE TURNING.DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013220

2000 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2002
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FROM FIFTH SPEED DUE TO A LOST BOLT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011848

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002
Power Train

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHILE DESCENDING STEEP HILL IN 1ST GEAR USING ENGINE AS BRAKE

NHTSA ODI #9006771

2000 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE IS SLIPPAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, AND WILL HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON TOGETHER AND THEN THE POWER GOES OUT, THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN STOPPING AND MOVING , THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. …

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THERE IS SLIPPAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING, IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, AND WILL HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON TOGETHER AND THEN THE POWER GOES OUT, THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN STOPPING AND MOVING , THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SHOWS THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THEY CAN?T IDENTIFY THE CAUSE UNLESS IT HAPPENS IN THEIR PRESENCE. *YD

NHTSA ODI #8007675

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2002
Power Train

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE SKIPS OR SHUDDERS IN 1ST GEAR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PULL FORWARD OR INTO TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS WITHOUT STALLING THE CAR. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REV THE ENGINE HIGHER THAN NORMALLY TO INSURE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT WHICH THEN CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO BURN. SOMETIMES EVEN THIS DOESN'T WORK. IT HAP…

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THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE SKIPS OR SHUDDERS IN 1ST GEAR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PULL FORWARD OR INTO TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS WITHOUT STALLING THE CAR. THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REV THE ENGINE HIGHER THAN NORMALLY TO INSURE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT WHICH THEN CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO BURN. SOMETIMES EVEN THIS DOESN'T WORK. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. DEALER SAID IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED SO IT MUST BE OUR DRIVING, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUALS FOR 20 YEARS AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY CAR TO PULL OUT INTO HEAVY OR FAST MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #758617

Related Official recalls

8

23V755000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Nov 9, 2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

22V485000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Jul 8, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.

21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Dec 9, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

15V502000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 10, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

13V336000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Aug 1, 2013

Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.

10V326000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Jul 20, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 30, 2002

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.