Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Problems of Subaru Outback - part 1

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.

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The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. The VIN was not available.

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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.

My vehicle loses power and stalls in traffic when slowing down on a city street. This is a common issue with the torque converter in Subarus made around this year. Subaru is aware of this issue and has even issued a service bulletin regarding this problem. They also extended the warranty on the cvt because of so many complaints regarding this issue but have not issued a recall. This is extremely unsafe and stalling in traffic could cause serious injury and death. There should be a recall on this defective torque converter.

2011 Subaru Outback with cvt transmission stalls when coming to an abrupt stop. Subaru has a TSB and knows there is an issue with the torque converters in these cars. The vehicle stalled coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of an intersection. This is a major safety issue that should be corrected via recall of cvt model 2011 Outbacks.

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph approaching at a red light, the vehicle stalled and was almost rear-ended by another vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving to her residence. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to bowser automotive - power of bowser (1001 clairton blvd, pleasant hills, PA 15236) and was diagnosed with a torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

When driving the 2011 Subaru Outback and coming to a stop, the vehicle will shake and/or shudder and will oftentimes stall out. The dealer claims that we need to remove the engine and replace the torque converter. This seems to be a known issue on the 2011 Outback and there has been a technical service bulletin issued for this. This is not safe as this can happen on hills or in winter on snowy/icy roads so should be elevated to a recall. Not too mention the cost of this repair is outside the realm of realism and lands in the zone of cruel and unusual punishment.

When turning sharply or coming to a quick stop, the car shudders and stalls. Subaru acknowledged the problem once and replaced the torque converter, but the problem is back and they will not pay for any further repairs for this issue, which has been ongoing. It's dangerous to have the car stall suddenly!.

Durning hard/quick stops the car will shake just before stopping as if the engine wants to stall. More then half of the time the car will stall. It will start right back up but this is a huge safety issue having your call stall in the middle of the road. Subaru has issued a service bulletin 16-90-13r for this issue. Basically they need to replace the torque converter. They also extended the power train warranty to 100,000mi from 60,000mi. Cars that are outside the extended warranty are out of luck for any no financial assistance from Subaru for a known safety issue. My local sabaru dealer just quoted me $2500 to fix a known safety issue. There should be a recall for the estimated 1. 5 million Subaru's that the service bulletin addresses.

The Outback is shuddering and stalling at intersections and stops frequently. The engine shuts off and the car stops abruptly. The car must be put back in park and turned back on every time it stalls. I have almost been rear ended multiple times because of the abrupt stopping caused by the faulty torque converter.

See all problems of the 2010 Subaru Outback 🔎.

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 dies upon somewhat sudden stops such as traffic light changing to red and needing to stop or someone pulling out in front of us etc. This is a severe traffic safety issue and could cause serious injury or death if large vehicle or 18 wheeler etc is following close on highway and Subaru dies upon braking and unable to keep moving after brakes applied. We have e-mailed Subaru headquarters and they replied as not their problem. We have had a 50 year professional master mechanic business state that is the torque converter is faulty and not allowing the cvt system to work as should when braking and vehicle will die. There is past TSB on this issue but no recall. Do numerous Subaru owners need to needlessly die if not already before someone takes responsibility for this serious vehicle safety issue? this defect happens on city streets and highways.

When am driving and I need to stop for any emergency and I hit the brakes the engine will stall due a failure torque converter manufacture, it is really dangerous and after a sudden stop I would not be able to drive away and I was about to involve in a major accident because of this stalling issue.

6 speed manual transmission - when coming to stop quickly from high speed, clutch is fully depressed (and even sometimes in neutral), the engine rpms drop very low causing the engine to shudder. This has been occurring consistently for over 1 year but dealership has claimed they are unable to replicate the problem. This is very concerning due to the fact the engine could stall causing loss of control. This seems very similar to the symptoms of a bad torque converter as recalled on the automatic transmission, however, obviously this can't be the case for a mt.

Torque converter assembly repair. When slowing down to a stop, the car shakes, shimmies and shuts off. I have to restart. This is very dangerous. I've spoken to Subaru and they say they won't fix the problem on my car because it has 149k miles on it. They say they will give me 1,000 dollars toward purchase of a new car. I would like my car repaired.

Subaru of America's corporate call center and two separate dealerships (prime Subaru manchester nh, clay Subaru norwood MA) provided wrong information on numerous occasions that conflicted with their TSB 11-104-11. They affirmatively said that there was never an update for the transmission control module available for the vehicle after it left the factory. This is completely incorrect and thus I spent 2 years troubleshooting a known issue, hundreds of dollars on diagnostic fees, and I even replaced the torque converter as it was afflicted with the squeal described in TSB 16-101-16r and we couldn't rule out that issue. The symptom is an erratic shifting pattern, especially when slowing down for a red light then speeding up when it turns green. I did my own research to discover this TSB via online posts and download it from the NHTSA website. Kristen weaver was the associate I spoke to at Subaru of America on 5/29/2020. She denied that the TSB applies to my car even though it clearly says on the TSB that all my11 Outback 3. 6r are effected. Prime Subaru in manchester nh performed the torque converter replacement and should have updated the tcm at the time, but they said there was no update available. Clay Subaru in norwood MA also said affirmatively that there was never a tcm update available. Milford Subaru in milford nh finally applied the update at my specific request and confirmed that prime Subaru should have done so when they did the torque converter update, and that they did not.

The vehicle has a faulty torque converter. This will cause the engine to stall during emergency braking. Thus increasing the likelihood of a serious accident. Subaru is aware of the problem and issued a TSB 16-90-13r.

Vehicle stalls during hard braking causing an extremely unsafe condition when happening on the road. Obviously once the car stalls the operator can no control and must put the car in park to restart. Diagnosed by dealer as bad torque converter.

2011 Subaru Outback engine occasionally shudders and is slow to start up, particularly in extreme cold. Starting today, 2/8/2020,when driving and coming to a stop, running engine stalled and shut down on multiple occasions. First when driving on a busy street; turned ignition off and restarted engine, driving slowly home. Second when braking to a stop at an intersection on drive ti berman Subaru of chicago dealership for inspection. Berman's inspection said no codes were stored, provided this service recommendation: "give owner option of either a new trans or a torque converter. If converter is replaced there may be internal trans issues. Recommendation: replace torque converter and o ring. Approved: $ 154. 95 - declined: $ 2,457. 53".

I have read other owners having problems with their torque converters causing the car to stall out and die. Now I am having this problem in my car. This will cause dangerous situation and Subaru will be sued because they did not perform a recall.

TSB was issued for this defective torque converter. Original warranty was extended, but vehicle is now out of warranty extension. Subaru denied my request to fix their design flaw as documented in service bulletin # 16-90-13r. The car engine shuts off when applying the brakes - thus creating a major safety issue.

The car jumps and jerks, similar to a manual transmission stalling. This has occurred during acceleration from a stop at a red light, to deceleration in highway traffic!! upon taking it in for service at the Subaru schumacher in west palm beach, FL. The service manager informed me it's a common problem. Subaru is well aware of it, yet there is no recall. Sudden stalling of the vehicle is a serious safety issue! apparently someone must die for action to be taken! the dealer says to replace the valve body at a cost of $2345 + tax. Then mentions they will test drive the car, and if not resolved, they must replace the torque converter at $3500 +tax!!! any online search will tell you this car with 114,000 miles is not worth that! Subaru knows about this serious problem, and continues to place these faulty cvt transmissions in service. Problem persists up to 2017 models, simply because 2018/19 models haven't reached the mileage yet for failure. This statement came from the service manager himself. Thank you arnaud for being honest. Goodbye forever Subaru, you've lost a customer and hopefully you don't get anyone killed over this!.

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. When the contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, it suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 112,000.

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.

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle would suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine the vehicle would operate as normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 112,000. Jft.

Automobile stalling completely after braking to complete stop at stop light and stop signs on 3 separate occasions. Shuddering and shaking or automobile observed. Torque converter replaced in order to solve problem. Not known whether or not problem is completely fixed.

My 2011 Subaru Outback started to stall out when coming to a slow stop. It would intermittently feel like it was going to die when slowing down and waiting in the middle of intersections which was very terrifying especially in heavy, on-coming traffic. Sometimes it would completely stall and the engine would stop which I would then have to quickly restart. It was taken to a Subaru dealer for assessment and it was determined the torque converter was failing. After googling this issue, I found out that is such a common problem that Subaru has admitted to it and offered an extended warranty (up to 100,000 miles) on some 1. 5 million of their cars. Well, my car was just over the 100k mile mark so I was told I was out of luck. Of course this is a $4,000+ repair done at the dealer. And if the torque converter caused damage to the cvt transmission then you have to have the entire cvt replaced at a cost of $8,000! the drain the transmission to see if any metal flakes are in the fluid. If there are then you'll need to get a new cvt transmission. We will never buy another Subaru again after all their issues and significant recalls. This is clearly a safety issue and I don't understand why it's not a serious recall!.

As others have reported - when deaccelerating rapidly vehicle shakes and completely stalls. Took to specialty shop and reported failed torque converter. Repairs totaled $2200. Car only with 80,000 miles.

My 2011 Subaru Outback sometimes shudders while slowing down and has started stalling out at stops. I feel this is quite unsafe. I took it to my local Subaru dealer and they told me it needs a torque converter. They quoted $1459. 45 for the repair. The man at Subaru told me it is unsafe to drive, as it may fail while driving and cause an accident.

Cvt torque converter failed. 2018 Subaru Outback, 47,000 miles. Car only 18 months old. Wife and kids in the car it was very scary moment. The car stared to shuttered accelerating form a stop. Then at 40 to 50 mph, the rpms became erratic shifting up down, to maintain speed. It like it was confused, which gear to be in. Then came to a stopped for a red light. When the light turned green, car shuttered and loud bang, no gears. Car would not go shift into any gear. Automatic transmission would not engage. Multiple complaints, Subaru need to fix this, it dangerous defect and expensive to repair.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback 🔎.

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.

Car has been exhibiting intermittent low idling while parked or while stopped at red light and stop signs. About 3 days ago, on three separate trips my Outback shuddered and shaked quite violently when stopping for oncoming traffic as I was attempting to turn. When I depressed the gas pedal to make the turn, the car continued to shudder and stalled amidst the three lane oncoming traffic. I restarted the car and gently depressed the gas pedal to hobble my way into a parking lot. I made my way back home fully aware of how the car behaved to avoid incident, but also leaving me afraid for my family's safety. I immediately scheduled a service appt at the Subaru dealership. The car didn't exhibit any of the previous issues on my drive to the dealership. After agreeing to pay for the diagnosis fee, the service rep explained to me that I needed to replace the torque converter, which would cost me over $2000. I felt like I had no choice but to authorize the repair, so I did. After leaving my car at the shop to return home I had the opportunity to conduct some quick research about the torque converter as it pertains to my model year car. There have been numerous complaints filed to NHTSA and Subaru of America about this issue. I recently purchased my Outback used (second owner) at 145,000 miles in late may 2019. Extended warranty expired 8 months prior to my purchase. I took the car to the dealership to check for any outstanding recalls upon my purchase. But since the extended warranty (as a result of technical bulletin 16-90-13r) isn't an actual recall, nothing was flagged. There was absolutely no way for me to be aware of this until the problem revealed itself, now leaving me with a potentially hazardous (if not deadly) situation if not adequately remedied by the dealership. I'm currently working with Subaru of America to see if they'll cover the expense.

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.

I was 40 miles from home after coming down a steep curvy mountain road in manual when Subaru began shifting with big jerks and shudders in early sept 2019, had trouble shifting from one gear to next. Hanlee's Subaru evaluated, replaced valve body and serpentine belt. A few days later in rush hour traffic at a rr crossing it shuddered to a stop and died during which there was a loud clanking sound under and behind me. I started it up again but was terrified of causing an accident. Returned to hanlee's where they had it for a week and could not reproduce the symptoms. Since I picked it up it still has a "bump" when I slow down. Then 0n 11/4/19 it did the same shuddering stop when I braked in traffic(going 35 mph) five miles from my house, dying completely. I restarted it and took it to Subaru. They say it might be a torque converter. I'm worried for my safety. I also see that both the cvt and torque converter had extended warranties issued for these reasons. When these problems began the car had 110k miles. This is my third Subaru and have never experienced such poor , dangerous performance on a car that should run well for at least 200k miles with good service. I am waiting to hear from hanlee's on the second day they have had my car.