Clutch Pedal/linkage problems of the 2011 Subaru Outback

I have experienced a driver safety concern that can easily cause a collision to occur. When coming to a stop the automatic transmission does not go to neutral and the engine halts. I have to restart the car. This is dangerous as it may cause a rear end collision and has almost done so on numerous occasions. This is related to bulletin number 16-90-13r that has already been opened with Subaru on 01/06/2014. The remedy is to replace torque converter thrust washer from a solid bushing-type to a needle bearing type. I strongly believe this should be a recall issue and not be passed onto to the customer. This can easily escalate to a class action law suit if a serious collision were to happen. Here is the complaint presented to Subaru bulletin number 16-90-13r; date: 01/06/14 revised: 05/07/14 applicability: 2010-12 my legacy and Outback models equipped with cvt transmission subject: design change to lock-up type torque converter introduction this bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine rpm when coming to a stop. The condition is similar to coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle without depressing the clutch pedal. Thrust washer wear inside the torque converter can cause restriction of the oil passage used to bleed off lock-up clutch application pressure. The result is either a delayed (momentary low engine rpm) or no lock-up pressure release. The thrust washer has been changed from a solid bushing-type to a needle bearing type.

My car stalls regularly when braking quickly, like when someone stops suddenly in front of me. It also stalls while applying the brake to stop at a light on a hill. This fault has placed me in several hazardous situations, including stalling on railroad tracks, and in busy intersections. When I first complained about it two years ago, Subaru told me that it was an oxygen/fuel mixture issue and wanted to charge me $1200 to fix it. But when I searched on line, other Subaru owners were complaining of the same issue and the oxygen/fuel fix didn't work for them after spending all the money to fix it. After living with this fault for nearly two years, I went to another repair shop who told me about this TSB: date: 01/06/14 revised: 05/07/14 applicability: 2010-12 my legacy and Outback models equipped with cvt transmission subject: design change to lock-up type torque converter introduction this bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine rpm when coming to a stop. The condition is similar to coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle without depressing the clutch pedal. Thrust washer wear inside the torque converter can cause restriction of the oil passage used to bleed off lock-up clutch application pressure. The result is either a delayed (momentary low engine rpm) or no lock-up pressure release. The thrust washer has been changed from a solid bushing-type to a needle bearing type. Subaru wants $1500 for this torque converter assembly to be replaced. If you search on line, you'll discover that this is a common issue. This needs to be upgraded to a vehicle recall, not just a TSB. This is a fault in Subaru's cvt transmission design that is a danger to everyone driving one. Please help us in enforcing this recall. Thank you.

I would like to report an abnormal behavior in my car on January 13, 2014 as this is a safety matter. The road condition was dry and the outside temperature was about 40 degrees. First I backed out of my garage onto the road, then shifted to the d position and drove about half a mile forward. I noticed that the car did not slow down as usual when I applied the brakes as I was approaching the first intersection. I had to press the brake pedal much further than usual. I did not slow down to a complete stop, made a right turn and continued to drive. I decided to pay closer attention to the behavior of the car during the next braking period. I drove another quarter mile and I had to apply the brakes again as I was approaching a stop sign. The car did not slow down as usual again, so I had to press the brake pedal to the floor to make a complete stop. When the car finally stopped moving I heard a loud squeaking noise and the tachometer arrow was moving back and forth between 2000 and 5000 rpm. It seemed as though the clutch was still engaged even though the brakes were applied and the car was not moving. This continued for 5-10 seconds until I shifted into the n position as I continued to hold my foot on the brake pedal. The squeaking sound disappeared and the tachometer arrow went down immediately. I shifted back into the d position again with my foot still on the brake and the car behaved normally. This problem has not appeared since that time. I have taken the car to a Subaru service dealer at norwood, MA 02062 on Jan. 27, 2014, but they did not find anything wrong (customer #69754, invoice sucs290648, miles 31340). I would like to get to the bottom of the problem since this could be a serious safety issue. I have filed a complaint to Subaru website on January 28, 2014 but did not hear a word from them since that.