Automatic Transmission Control Module Problems of Subaru Outback

I was driving on a highway when my car started to suddenly stutter, hesitate, and jerk after about an hour on the road. I pulled over on the shoulder immediately and tried to better position the car further off the highway with the same vehicle behavior. Initially I thought a tire had blown so sudden was the impact but after exterior inspection I realized the tires were fine and the problem was probably under the hood. The cvt transmission and tcm malfunctioned, and electric parking brake engaged creating a noise. My ability to steer the vehicle in a predictable direction was gone creating a safety hazard on the highway or any road. The car had to be long-distance towed back to where I live; it could not be safely driven. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by two independent service centers, one a general service center and the other a foreign car expert service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else. There were dashboard warning lights that came on at the time the vehicle started to shake. The lights were the vehicle dynamics control warning light and the check engine warning light. A " boat load" of transmission codes that lead to the vehicle being assessed at the foreign car service center. I am asking for Subaru’s assistance in resolving this matter. I purchased a Subaru based on recommendations from other family members and their experience of having multiple Subaru vehicles some of which lasted 300,00 miles. If this is a manufacturing problem I believe that Subaru has a responsibility to notify their owners of the potential problem (which didn’t happen in my case) and a responsibility to resolve the problem when it occurs. I took my vehicle into my nearest Subaru dealership for a warranty repair that I was notified of approx. Three years ago. No one notified me of the potential cvt transmission problem at that time. My vehicle cannot be driven in its current state and it is dangerous to drive because of this problem.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that he received a recall letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a software update. The contact reported that the recall letter advised that the vehicle has no remedy for it yet for the cvt chain. The contact said that the vehicle will be unsafe to operate and the dealer nor the manufacturer have offered any remedy. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission was binding and making an abnormal grinding sound while driving at slow speeds and making turns. The dealer performed the tcm software update and replaced the transmission clutch kit under NHTSA campaign number: 21v955000 (power train); however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the recall repair had failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the transmission clutch pack was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, schumacher Subaru (3021 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, FL 33409), where the transmission clutch pack was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer, where the transmission clutch pack was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was temporarily repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,869.

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle inadvertently started shuddering and jerking. The contact also stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed. Then, the vehicle was taken to the dealer who test drove the vehicle and diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would replace the transmission, but she would be responsible for the cost of the labor. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Transmission failure. Dealer has replaced the transmission three times so far. None of the repairs have lasted more than a day or two. Vehicle works fine, then starts slipping out gear. This has been going on now for two months. Manufacturer silent on guidance. Suspect transmission and/or transmission control module failure or incompatibility. The transmission/control module is a split model year build.

See all problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback 🔎.

On 2 lane hwy, had to brake sharply ( 60 to 10) for deer. Semi behind me, not close. Deer crossed. Floored accelerator, engine sat at redline 3 sec before transmission engaged. Semi jacknifed behind us, but did not hit us. This action is repeatable. I suspect it's related to the cruise control downhill failure (un-coupling the torque converter???).

See all problems of the 2007 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The latest incident date is shown below, the first time of the incident was in Feb 07. There have been four occurrences. In each event the automobile was in heavy traffic and had been decelerating for a period of time prior to an immediate need to accelerate to avoid a rapidly approaching vehicle while either making an evasive maneuver due to road obstacles or while merging in congested high speed traffic. Upon depressing the accelerator, the engine speeds up to near "red line" with no accompanying acceleration or engagement of the transmission. After a period of time in excess of one full second to an estimated three seconds the transmission engages and the vehicle begins to accelerate. In each instance, there was a great deal of concern on the part of the drivers (three different ones) that a "near accident" occurred. When the service department was first notified at the dealership, an explanation of the latest "drive by wire" transmissions with "fuzzy logic", anticipating computer programming was offered. Though plausible, it did not seem a very likely "normal" expectation. The manufacturer was contacted and declared that only the local service department should be trouble shooting the systems. I was assured that they had the ability to work through the manufacturing technical departments, and I had no need to contact them. The service department thoroughly tested the systems, drove it at length, and again assured me that this was a known condition and we should be careful to avoid any situation where any unanticipated rapid changes from deceleration to acceleration would be needed.

"fuzzy logic" transmission controller is dangerously slow, inconsistent, and unpredictable. Scanning 19 inputs is excessive over-kill and removes much of driver's control and peace of mind.

See all problems of the 2000 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Transmission computer failed, causing vehicle to lose control and jolt onto the oncoming lane, luckily there was no oncoming traffic and no accident.