Subaru Outback Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 778 of the 7,987 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Subaru Outback (9.7%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Transmission complaints
778
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
9.7%
of 7,987 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Subaru Outback transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 12 | 5.2% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2009 | 10 | 9% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2010WORST | 94 | 26.2% | 2 | 10V326000 | 58 |
| 2011WORST | 216 | 33.3% | 5 | 10V326000 | 60 |
| 2012WORST | 107 | 36.9% | 5 | — | 56 |
| 2013 | 58 | 19.7% | 0 | — | 42 |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% | 4 | 13V336000 | 41 |
| 2015 | 37 | 7.3% | 1 | 15V502000 | 44 |
| 2016 | 45 | 7.1% | 3 | 15V79400015V502000 | 43 |
| 2017 | 47 | 5.1% | 2 | — | 39 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1.7% | 1 | — | 44 |
| 2019 | 16 | 1.5% | 3 | — | 38 |
| 2020 | 51 | 5.6% | 2 | — | 73 |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% | 1 | — | 60 |
| 2022 | 18 | 3.9% | 1 | — | 43 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5.6% | 1 | — | 39 |
| 2024 | 6 | 5.9% | 0 | — | 20 |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% | 1 | — | 9 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Subaru Outback transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 778 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Subaru Outback years to avoid for the transmission
2011 Subaru Outback
216 transmission complaints (33.3% of the year's 649). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 10V326000.
2012 Subaru Outback
107 transmission complaints (36.9% of the year's 290). Most often described: shudder or vibration.
2010 Subaru Outback
94 transmission complaints (26.2% of the year's 359). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 10V326000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Subaru Outback years to avoid.
Subaru Outback transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Subaru Outback model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 15V794000 · 2015-11-24 · 2016 models
Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
- 15V502000 · 2015-08-10 · 2015–2016 models
Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
- 13V336000 · 2013-08-01 · 2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
- 10V326000 · 2010-07-20 · 2010–2011 models
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.
Which transmission does the Subaru Outback use?
- Subaru CVT — 2010–2020 (extension years)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 216 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Subaru Outback, 33.3% of all 649 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (46 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V326000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 107 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Outback, 36.9% of all 290 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (21 complaints). 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2010 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 94 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Subaru Outback, 26.2% of all 359 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (19 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V326000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Subaru Outback years have the most transmission complaints?
2011 (216), 2012 (107) and 2010 (94), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Subaru Outback transmission problems?
In the 778 transmission complaints, owners most often describe transmission repaired or replaced (15.3%), shudder or vibration (13.5%) and jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (9.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Subaru Outback model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration