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
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
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 becau…
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?
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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