Coolant leak, steering power fluid leak, break pad leak, gasoline line leak, seat heater, clicking noise after turning off car, leaking seats and rear view mirror also leaking, steering wheel expanding due to possible air bag, heater and ac vents lose and also chemical smell/gas/coolant coming from front and back of car, sunroof not secured. Every wiring wet, charger port in middle compartment wet…
2011 subaru Outback powertrain problems
moderate 208 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
208
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
TL* 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 …
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN BRAKING HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP.
AT ABOUT 40K MILES, MY DEALER MAINTAINED 2011 OUTBACK BEGAN TO HAVE AN ENGINE SHUDDER IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAKING A FULL STOP IN GEAR, E.G. AT A RED LIGHT. IT HAPPENS VERY INFREQUENTLY AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMMAND. THE NEAR-STALL IS SIMILAR TO NOT DEPRESSING A CLUTCH WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE SHUDDER IS VERY BRIEF. SOMETIMES DASH LIGHTS FLASH, BUT THE ENGINE HAS NEVER COMPLETELY STALLED.…
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 S…
CAR IS STALLING WHEN IN MOTION, AND COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT STEADY BRAKE PRESSURE. IT SHUTTERS THEN STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE FALL 2016. "NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10080367- AVAILABILITY OF COUNTERMEASURE TORQUE CONVERTER ASSEMBLY" -DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS. LACK OF RECALL/ACTION ON A 2011 MODEL IS ALARMING! DOES THIS MALFUNCTION NEED TO HARM/KILL VICTIMS BEFORE ACTION IS…
WHEN HAVING TO COME TO A HARD STOP THE ENGINE WILL DIE. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. OUR SHOP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 208 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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