Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2012 Subaru Outback

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 that, in most cases, the issues happens with more than 100,00 miles on the dodmeter. This seems like it could be a safety issue.

The vehicle stalled a few times in 2017 and 2018 while shifting from reverse to drive; and while coming from a stop, on steep hill, and releasing brake to get moving in traffic. It also shuddered randomly while transitioning gears from park to reverse/drive or reverse to dive and vice versa. I took it to the dealer who we purchased it from and they identified it as a transmission issue that can be resolved via an extended warranty. At the time the vehicle had about 70k miles. They replaced the torque converter, valve body and strainer in 2018. The car randomly shudders slightly between shifts from reverse to drive and vice versa, but the dealer who replaced the parts could not identify it. I took vehicle to another dealer who could also not replicate the issue. There was one time where it shook noticeable after exiting the freeway and coming to a stop but the car did not stall. In 2021, with the car approaching 97. 5k in miles, stalled when I shifted from reverse to drive getting out of a parking spot on a busy street. It restarted after I put into park and was able to change gears and get out safely. I noticed it shudders when the engine is warm. Sometimes it feels unsafe when I am trying to get out of a parking spot on a busy street or on a hill. I took it back to dealer who made the warranty repair. They could not replicate the issue. They cleaned the throttle body and found no codes on the ecu. They said they felt a slight shudder but that this is normal. They said I could take it for a second opinion but I did that already at another dealer previously. I spent hundreds of dollar to try to get a diagnosis but to no avail. I have properly maintained the car as recommended. It feels very strange that this continues to happen but the dealer cannot replicate and identify. Sometimes we feel unsafe or worried that it will stall at the wrong time.

Vehicle has been stalling/shuddering while pressing on the brakes coming to a stop, engine has shut off twice during this. No pattern has been recognized, appears to be "random". Will slow down at a stop light and right before the complete stop, the engine shudders then completely dies with no warning. All the lights pop up on the dashboard, brake/gas pedal quits working unless I put the car in park and restart the vehicle. Very dangerous as it is random and without warning. . . Dealership states torque converter needs to be replaced. This should be recalled and paid for by Subaru.

Vehicle stalled out several times while driving. Once when braking hard after a car cut in front of me and the second when stopping quickly at a stop light. The car also shutters a little when idling. The dealer says it is the torque converter. I had a $3k transmission repair last year. They said the torque converter would be $1700. The car has 178,000 miles and has regular maintenance. The dealer said it was time to make a decision about a new car. What?! I know in the past these cars would easily make it to 300k miles. This should be a recall.

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. While driving approximately 45 mph and reducing the speed to 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The vehicle was taken to Subaru of glendale (1308 s. Brand blvd, glendale, CA) where it was diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 162,000.

My vehicle has been stalling when coming to a stop, it starts to shudder when slowing then stalls at stop. Safety is becoming an issue when in traffic, or on highway in stop and go. There has not been a recall for torque converter issues or cvt transmissions just extended warranty. Unfortunately there were not issues when this was extended. This is on a 2012 Subaru Outback, with 130,000 miles.

Accelerating from a stopped position, or from a low speed as when making a turn or merging, the vehicle jerks and bucks, comes to a near stall at least once each time, more often 2 or 3 times in quick succession, until the vehicle gains more speed, approximately 10 mph, and the symptoms subside. Vehicle was driven out of necessity a maximum 20 miles on a few days since symptoms began, consistently bucking and near stalling in those conditions, causing traffic disturbances and endangering my family, myself, and other drives on the road. 4 days later the dash lights came on while driving-check engine, flashing emergency brake, traction control, flashing at temp oil-I immediately pulled off the road, bucking and near stalling all the way. Car was towed. Odb-ii codes were-transmission control malfunction, and torque converter clutch pressure control solenoid central circuit. Mechanic says can't drive the car. Background checking shows that instead of a recall, a warranty was put in place then due to the extent of the complaints on this, warranty was extended, and Subaru refuses to take appropriate action to resolve this unsafe, expensive, and known issue. There is additionally a sulev emissions warranty which covers this, but it only goes to 150,000 miles and is not a safety issue.

My 2012 Subaru Outback engine will shut off when coming to a complete stop when exiting a freeway, coming to a stop on a side street. Speed does not play a factor in this. This happens intermittently and clearly, is a safety issue! I never received a notification on this matter from Subaru that there is a known defect with the torque converter in the transmission. This is something that should have been and still should be a recall. Fatalities could be a result of this! Subaru needs to be held accountable and not just by extending the warranty. Again this is a huge safety isuue!.

Tl- the contact stated their wife owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. When attempting to come to a stop the vehicle would shut off completely. The contact would have to place the vehicle in park and restart in order for the vehicle to operate correctly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership (miller hill Subarulocated at4710 miller trunk hwy, duluth, mn 55811 phone number (218) 722-5337) who diagnosed that the torque converter in the transmission failed and needed to replace. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Gl.

Vehicle stalls intermittently when coming to a stop or attempting to accelerate from a stop. This is an extremely urgent safety concern. This also seems to have caused inconsistent starting issues. I have replaced the starter and still have issues. Seems to be a torque converter problem. This issue has been reported by many owners and has not been adequately addressed by Subaru with an available fix in a recall.

Vehicle occasionally stalls while stopped at a street light. Dealer says it is probably torque converter lockup. Has happened 3 times while waiting to make a left hand turn. Vehicle has 135k miles on it. Seems like a legitimate safety issue to me.

Vehicle shudders when coming to a stop and will stall when going from stopped to motion. Subaru replaced the torque converter 2 years ago and told us this would fix the issue and it did for a little while. The vehicle is now doing the exact same thing--stalling out is a safety issue. Subaru determined that it was once again a faulty/bad torque converter--so this seems like an issue with Subaru torque converters. The first time, they admitted their mistake and paid for the repair. I asked them again to cover it and was even told on the phone by a Subaru representative that the torque converter in a vehicle should not have gone bad the first time, much less the second time. . . But since my mileage is over their "goodwill" limit for the warranty extension, they will not fully cover the repar/replacement of the torque converter a second time (after having the new one for 2 years, only 45,000 miles. ) I know that we are not the only consumers that this is happening too and as it is a known problem with their torque converters and a definite safety issue, my hope is that this will prompt a recall or in some way, have Subaru fix their mistakes and not put it off on the consumer, as if we just happened to purchase a lemon or something.

The vehicle has experienced a shuddering feeling intermittently when coming to a stop. The issue has been ongoing and my vehicle currently has 87,000 miles, although the issue has occurred since around 50,000 miles. I have taken the vehicle in to a Subaru dealer in 2017 and the issue was recreated however was not fixed since the problem is still occurring. It is my understanding that Subaru issued a technical service bulletin covering more than 1. 5 million vehicles for what appears to be known issue with the torque converter in the cvt transmission. However, the problem is sporadic and intermittent and every time the vehicle goes in to re-check the problem, the technicians cannot replicate it. This is very much a safety issue that should be elevated from a TSB to a recall if the issue is known. The feeling of a shuddering almost to a vehicle stall is not safe. Why Subaru has not issued a full on a recall is a little concerning, especially with the several Subaru forums indicating from many other owners of the same problem. I have talked to Subaru of America and they were not very accommodating of the issue and said if they cant recreate the problem, then they wont fix it. Apparently the word of thousands of Subaru owners is not sufficient enough.

The vehicle began stalling following a hard stop and now has accelerated to the point of stalling out even with a soft braking. Very dangerous as the vehicle shuts off when traveling in traffic. Have been notified by my repair shop that the torque converter needs replaced. There are 124k on vehicle now. Subaru apparently covered this repair up to 100k miles or by June 2018 with unlimited miles. Why won't Subaru cover this now? I am responsible now for a large repair that is a known safety concern by Subaru that they will not take care of as there is 24k over their warranty replacement mileage. I am disappointed.

While slowing down the vehicle has pulled (feeling like it is not shifting down , for years, thought it was the nature of the beast) so had to brake harder. Since the summer of 2018 the car pulls and sometimes stalls or almost stalls when decelerating fast. This happens on highway and also city (between streetlights). I looked online and see that Subaru has had a bulletin since 2014 knowing about a thrust washer wear problem inside the torque converter . 1-27-2019 I took the Outback in for service and the diagnosis was torque converter replacement. Estimated cost for repairs $1715. 00. My wife and I not only had the standard Subaru warrantee but paid extra for the extended warrantee,. All service was done at the Subaru dealership ( stanley Subaru ) and the last service before warrantee expired in 2017 I specifically asked for the car to be gone though with a fine tooth comb (at that time we was concerned with noisy wheel bearings. No mention of the bulletin on the torque converter was mentioned.

Engine stalls while pressing break pedal rapidly. Was told by the dealer that torque converter is a problem and extended warranty is available to fix this issue. My car has salvage title related to minor flooding and is not covered by this warranty. Manufacturer faulty design should result I recall so all the cars are covered( like faulty air bags). Thyis is potentially more danger problem then faulty air bags and I guess Subaru is waiting for causalities as result of this negligible approach.

As many other owners have reported, I have been told that the torque converter on my 2012 Subaru Outback has to be replaced (at a cost of nearly $1800). This is because of the shuddering and/or stalling of the car when coming to a stop. This issue is, and has been, very inconsistent which is why I never brought it to the attention of the service department before the end of the revised warranty option provided by Subaru (100,000 miles or 7/31/2018 cutoff date). My car currently has 110,000 miles on it. The problem with the way this whole matter has been dealt with by Subaru is that, despite the fact I brought the vehicle in for regular service prior to the mileage/date deadlines, I was never asked if I was experiencing any of the problems related to the torque converter. Had the issue been explained to me, I would have said that I was indeed having issues and would have had the part replaced under the warranty. This sort of behavior clearly demonstrates that Subaru is not "dedicated to customer satisfaction. " Subaru should be more proactive than reactive to dealing with the torque converter problem. In fact, Subaru should replace the torque converter whenever it becomes a problem. It is absolutely shameful that Subaru and the NHTSA has not done more to address the matter. I guess it is going to take someone getting injured or killed before the problem gets escalated to a point that there will be a recall or Subaru voluntarily replaces the torque converter regardless of time or mileage.

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle loss power at 10 mph,there was an abnormal clunking noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Subaru of san bernardino 645 auto center dr s, san bernardino, CA 92408 (909) 571-5480 where informed the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was taken to Subaru of ontario 1195 auto center dr, ontario, CA 91761 1195 (909) 487-8325 where diagnosed the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted where informed they would assist with half of repairs fees. The failure mileage was 87,000. Ap.

My car would stall with a hard stop at an intersection or going uphill Subaru reported that it was a bad torque converte, a bulletin notice was done for this by Subaru. I feel this is a big safety issue any recalls should be done, due to a the car stalling with a drop in rpm and a potential accident could occur while trying to restart the car. This occurred numerous times between the months of March and may when I brought it to the dealership. I had vacuum hoses checked I have had engine spark plugs cleaned out and it was at this point generate 112,000 mile tuneup that they informed me the prom was the tour converter and they knew this was an issue.

Subaru Outback 2012 has been stalling out when coming to a stop, especially when on an incline or at a fast stop, does not do it every time vehicle stops but does it enough to be a safety hazard. Dealership said it is due to a faulty torque converter and also told me I have to have the valve body replaced due to metal shards falling into it from the torque converter.

Torque converter needing replaced after engine stall and/or dying at stop.

Engine shudders and occasionally stalls when coming to a hard stop. Problem has been diagnosed as a faulty torque converter, and is identified in Subaru technical bulletin number 16-90-13r. This is a significant potential safety issue, and should be addressed by the manufacturer.

Purchased a used 2012 Subaru Outback and about one year into owning it, it started to stutter when coming to a stop - as if it were a manual transmission and you did not push the clutch in. It will stutter and then completely die and you have to put the car back in park or neutral to start again. If braking quick or hard, it will always die. Gradual stops are better, but in the event you needed to stop fast and get out of the way - you cannot. Seems to be an extreme safety hazard to me and my family or anyone that would hit me because my car stalled, however, when contacting Subaru, they do not feel it is an issue and want me to pay over $8000 to replace the entire transmission. The car has approximately 80,000 miles on it. I researched online and many, many people have the same issue with the 2010-2012 models and Subaru issued a service bulletin #16-90-13 design change to lock-up type torque convertor - so they know there is an issue but did not make it a recall - though they also state they changed the assembly after 2012 because of the issues with the cvt transmissions. Also when researching, many other affected owners state only the torque converter was replaced and were charged anywhere from $1300 to $1800 to only replace that - and some stated Subaru paid for it entirely, other say they refused to pay - the customer service person I spoke with at Subaru stated they would only do a 'good will gesture of $2500 towards the entire transmission replacement. I owe $15,000 on the car, it's not worth that on bluebook and I do not have $5500 to pay for something I feel they should fix as a recall.

2012 Outback 2. 5i limited with 93k miles stalls intermittently when coming to a complete stop. When placed in park the vehicle will start right up and runs fine. There is no hesitation or engine missing when in motion, only when coming to a full stop. Yesterday it stalled 3 times during a 6 mile round trip to the post office. I am fearful that it will stall while I'm in an intersection waiting to make a left turn and am vulnerable to cross traffic when the light changes. I'm taking it in to the dealer tomorrow and hoping they will be able to fix it. After searching the internet for similar complaints, I understand that TSB 16-90-13 addresses this type of failure, apparently due to a problem with the torque converter.

Failure of the torque converter caused transmission failure and required a complete overhaul at 82511. I was not informed by the dealership there was a service bulletin by the dealership.

Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact states that the vehicle stalled at every stop, without any warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. Fe.