Noise coming from underneath vehicle when accelerating that I noticed in feb 2017. Took the car in to Subaru dealer and all they did was replace the differential fluid and said "noise will go away with time." like any car issue, it did not go away on its own. Oct 2018 took the car in to local mechanic and they said it needed a new CVT transmission. Also said that my car could stall at any time so…
2013 Subaru Outback powertrain problems
moderate 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 56 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 56 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Powertrain accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2013 Subaru Outbacks with CVT transmissions are reported to experience severe, unpredictable failures—often without warning—starting around 100,000 miles but sometimes much earlier, leaving owners stranded and facing $8,000–$10,000 replacement costs. Subaru extended the factory warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles due to widespread failures, but denies coverage beyond those limits despite acknowledging the defect, leaving many owners responsible for repairs on a vehicle that should last 200,000+ miles.
The 2013 Subaru Outback's CVT transmission is the focus of 56 complaints detailing failures ranging from sudden loss of drive at highway speeds to stalling at traffic lights. Owners report complete transmission failure as early as 71,000 miles and as late as 250,000 miles, with a cluster of failures between 100,000 and 130,000 miles. Failure modes include sudden shuddering and stalling (sometimes multiple times before total loss of function), loud grinding or clunking noises, all four wheels locking up while driving, and transmission fluid overheating to the point of seal failure.
Many owners note warning signs weeks or months before total failure—rumbling noises, hesitation on acceleration, or transmission fluid overheating alerts—yet dealerships repeatedly misdiagnose these as normal CVT behavior or unrelated issues like wheel bearings. Once failure occurs, repair costs of $8,000–$10,000 hit owners hard; Subaru's extended warranty (10 years/100,000 miles) covers some but denies most claims once mileage exceeds 100,000 miles. Several owners report replacing the same transmission multiple times. Separately, excessive oil consumption (one quart per 1,000 miles or more) and shift lever locking also appear in narratives. Owners consistently state these are known defects that should trigger a full recall, not a limited warranty extension.
Same Subaru Outback powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Complete Failure / Loss of Drive
Transmission loses ability to propel vehicle or seizes suddenly during driving, often accompanied by loud noises, grinding, shuddering, or clunking. Vehicle may become immobile on highway or city street, requiring towing. Multiple owners report sudden failures with no warning or only minor precursors.
When: Reported across wide mileage range: 17,000–250,000 miles, with clusters around 100,000–130,000 miles; failures occur both while driving at highway speeds and at stop signs/low speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of forward drive or inability to accelerate beyond 60 mph; Loud grinding, clunking, or clanging noises from transmission; Vehicle shuddering or jerking during acceleration or while braking; All four wheels locking up (wheel seizure) in at least two reports; Vehicle stalling without warning, sometimes mid-turn or mid-acceleration; Check Engine and transmission warning lights illuminating; Vehicle dynamics control warning light; AT Oil Temp warning light (indicating overheating); Transmission unresponsive or delayed in engaging after restart
Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System fault), Multiple transmission-specific codes (owners report 'boat load' of codes but specific codes not listed in most narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement, ranging $8,000–$10,000; one owner reports fourth transmission failure; one owner replaced transmission three times within vehicle lifespan; labor and parts prohibitively expensive for owners; Subaru dealerships confirm need for full transmission replacement; some independent shops confirm diagnosis but cannot source parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty program (10 years/100,000 miles) offered to avoid recall; partial reimbursement ($1,000–$3,600) for some owners; most claims denied after extended warranty expires; Subaru Corporate denies defect despite acknowledged warranty extension; one owner received $1,500 credit toward new vehicle instead of transmission repair
Intermittent Stalling at Stop or Low Speed
Engine stalls when vehicle is stopped, placed in gear, or accelerating from idle, often intermittently. Stalling creates serious safety risk in traffic, particularly when at traffic lights or stop signs where vehicle may be rear-ended. Condition can recur after restart.
When: Reported at 7,500–130,000+ miles; typically starts appearing earlier in vehicle lifespan (7,500–50,000 miles) and becomes more frequent over time
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when depressing brake pedal at stop; Stalling when vehicle placed in gear from park or at idle; Stalling when accelerating from complete stop or slow roll; Stalling when vehicle slows to idle or comes to traffic light; Vehicle hesitates to accelerate after stalling; Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate during stall events; Vehicle resumes normal operation after restart
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (malfunction indicator light), Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Valve body and solenoid replacement attempted in at least one case ($9,300 for full transmission replacement after initial repair failed); transmission fluid analysis showed severe overheating and viscosity breakdown in one case; independent mechanics and dealership technicians unable to replicate or diagnose intermittent stalling; dealers often dismiss concern as 'normal CVT behavior'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers misdiagnose (e.g., bad wheel bearings, spark plugs, loose panels); Subaru dealership in one case instructed owner to 'just drive slower' and did not offer repair; extended warranty covers some cases but denials common after mileage or time limits exceeded; no TSBs or recalls issued for this symptom pattern in narratives
Transmission Overheating / Fluid Degradation
Transmission fluid overheats, causing loss of proper lubrication viscosity and vehicle shutdown or loss of power. One owner reports 10-mile transmission fluid trail after leak, indicating severe thermal failure and seal breakdown. AT Oil Temp warning light frequently precedes failure.
When: AT Oil Temp light reported starting around 100,000+ miles; failures on highway and during towing; one case of fluid leak trail at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: AT Oil Temp warning light illuminates; Steam visible under hood; Transmission fluid leaking or gushing from transmission; Loss of forward momentum and vehicle halt mid-road; Vehicle overheats during towing or driving uphill in warm weather; Acceleration limitation (vehicle would not exceed 60 mph under load)
Codes mentioned: AT Oil Temp warning (not a traditional OBD-II code but vehicle indicator)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports transmission fluid analysis by independent lab showed severe overheating and viscosity breakdown; Subaru dealership initially blamed 'contaminated fluid' but lab disproved this; full transmission replacement needed; one owner replaced transmission four times, with fourth failure including fluid leak trail of nearly 10 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealer misdiagnosed initial failure as contamination; Subaru Corporate denied warranty claim despite lab evidence; no TSBs or recalls for thermal management issues noted in narratives
Harsh Shuddering / Jerking During Acceleration or Deceleration
Vehicle shudders, jerks, or stutters when accelerating, decelerating, or shifting gears. Condition is often described as severe and creates safety hazard, especially when vehicle nearly stalls during acceleration or when merging onto expressways.
When: Reported throughout vehicle lifespan, from early ownership (1–12 months) through 100,000+ miles; worsens over time in many cases
Symptoms owners cite: Severe shuddering or jerking during initial acceleration from stop; Vehicle nearly stalls when accelerating from low speed; Shuddering when letting off accelerator or braking; Hesitation or delay in transmission response when accelerating; Jerking or stuttering at various speeds (low and high); Shudder felt around 25 mph during test drive by technicians; Vehicle revs up but does not accelerate proportionally; Unpredictable behavior described as 'jumpy' and 'acting erratically'
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light may or may not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Technicians recommend transmission replacement in cases where shuddering is persistent; dealers often unable to replicate during service visits; transmission fluid flushes attempted but ineffective; valve body and solenoid replacement ineffective in improving condition
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers consistently unable to diagnose or replicate issue during test drives; told owners condition is 'normal CVT behavior' or due to electronic accelerator pedal integration; no recalls or TSBs issued for this symptom in narratives
Delayed or No Response to Accelerator (Cold Start)
Transmission fails to downshift smoothly or delays engagement when accelerating from full stop, particularly after cold start. Vehicle behaves as if shifting from 1st to 4th gear directly, preventing safe acceleration and creating risk of rear-end collision at traffic lights or stop signs.
When: Cold start condition; occurs within first minute or 10–15 seconds after engine start in morning or after extended idle; resolves once engine warms
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs increase but vehicle does not accelerate (engine noise with minimal car movement); Delayed or skipped gear engagement on cold start from full stop; Vehicle maintains slow speed despite elevated RPMs; Dangerous safety situation at stop signs where faster traffic may overtake; Condition clears once engine reaches operating temperature
Codes mentioned: None reported; condition does not always trigger Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs noted in narratives; owners describe living with condition or reducing acceleration demand
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response; dealer did not address concern or offered no solution
Unintended Acceleration / Loss of Brake Control
Vehicle accelerates on its own or brakes fail to slow vehicle despite pedal pressure. In at least one case, vehicle went down embankment; in another, car lunged forward from complete stop without driver input. Extremely dangerous and occurs multiple times for same owner.
When: Reported at 23,767 miles (new vehicle); recurrence mentioned for same owner on separate occasion
Symptoms owners cite: Car lurches or lunges forward from complete stop without accelerator input; Brakes insufficient to stop vehicle (one owner unable to stop while applying brakes); Vehicle accelerates and increases speed when driver intends to slow; Brake pedal unresponsive
Codes mentioned: No codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; one owner successfully applied brakes both times to avoid collision; one owner put transmission in Park to stop vehicle after embankment descent
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented in narratives
Transmission Noise (Clicking, Grinding, Whining, Rumbling)
Various abnormal noises emanating from transmission area: clicking during acceleration, grinding or clunking when engaging or under load, low-pitched rumbling, or whining. Noises often precede or accompany transmission failure and are dismissed by dealers as 'normal CVT behavior.'
When: Clicking reported at speeds above 38 mph; rumbling reported for weeks before transmission failure; noises reported across 100,000+ mile range
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent or continuous clicking during acceleration and when lifting off accelerator; Clicking ranges from low to loud volume; Grinding noise when transmission engages or under load; Loud clunking or clanging during failure events; Low-pitched rumbling from underneath vehicle; Whining noise from CVT; Horrendous noise from transmission growing louder over time
Codes mentioned: None reported; noises do not always trigger Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer initially attributed clicking to loose panel behind glove compartment; dealer misattributed rumbling to wheel bearings; one owner recorded noise for dealer evidence; independent mechanics identified as transmission failure indicator
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismiss noises as 'normal CVT behavior'; corporate technician via dealer advised clicking is normal; misdiagnosis as wheel bearing or other component delays proper diagnosis
Transmission Slipping / Failure to Downshift
Transmission fails to downshift when accelerating or maintains incorrect gear ratio, causing engine to over-rev without proportional acceleration. Vehicle feels like transmission is 'failing' and loses power or responsiveness.
When: Reported at 121,000+ miles; one case at 17,000 miles with sudden loss of power
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not kick down when accelerating from highway speeds; Engine RPMs increase without corresponding vehicle acceleration; Vehicle loses power suddenly and cannot be brought back to proper speed without delay; Downshift lag of 5+ seconds after accelerating; Vehicle cannot accelerate beyond certain speed (e.g., 60 mph) under load
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes reported in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Independent repair shop confirmed transmission is 'indeed failing'; metal filings found in differential fluid during 120,000-mile service, indicating internal transmission wear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealer test drive did not reveal issue; no TSB or recall issued
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at abnormally high rate, requiring frequent top-ups between scheduled oil changes. One owner reports quart every 1,000 miles; another reports adding 1–2 quarts between 6,000-mile changes; newest vehicle (23,767 miles) required 1.3 quarts within one week of oil change.
When: Reported from very early ownership (23,767 miles) through 116,700+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low engine oil warning light illuminating frequently; Requirement to add 1–2 quarts between 6,000-mile oil changes; Consumption rate of approximately one quart per 1,000 miles; For newest vehicle: 1.3 quarts needed one week after oil change
Codes mentioned: Low oil warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner spent nearly $100 for multiple oil top-ups over one month on new vehicle; short block replacement may be needed to resolve; owners note this is a 'known issue' but dealers not addressing root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge 'known issue' per owner report; no TSBs or recalls issued for oil consumption in narratives; owners state short block may require replacement but Subaru has not initiated recall or mandatory service campaign
Shift Lever Lock / Transmission Interlock Malfunction
Shift lever locks in Park position, preventing driver from shifting into Reverse or Drive and preventing engine start. Requires jiggling shift lever and pulling on steering wheel repeatedly to disengage lock. Creates situation where vehicle is immobilized and driver stranded.
When: Occurs randomly and intermittently; no clear pattern or triggering event identified by owner
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever locks and cannot be moved out of Park; Key will not turn to start position while shift lever is locked; Requires manual jiggling of shift lever and pulling steering wheel to unlock
Codes mentioned: None reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owner describes workaround of pulling steering wheel and jiggling lever
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented in narratives
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
For several months, Subaru of america was made aware of our vehicle's dangerous performance. Stalling while coming to a stop, turning as well as a noticeable whining noise from the CVT. The vehicle was taken into gillman Subaru sw due to these issues in july, 2018, before the end of the "extended warranty". The vehicle was misdiagnosed as having bad wheel bearings and possibly bad spark plugs.…
At all speeds vehicle shudders when letting off accelerator then nearly stalls. This is extremely dangerous when entering expressways or crossing oncoming vehicles. Dealer identified transmission as the problem and could reproduce, but not determine reason. Said drive until Check Engine light comes on then bring back. Light has never lit up. Dealer says Subaru stopped using this transmission…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 56 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?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 56,000 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 104,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 122,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/Outback.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.