Subaru Lineartronic CVT: years, specs & known problems
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Lineartronic is Subaru's chain-type continuously variable transmission. It debuted in the 2010 Legacy and Outback, and Subaru calls it the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT for AWD production vehicles. It is now in nearly every automatic Subaru. Its key recalls are 21V955 and 22V485, a TCU fix for drive-chain slip.
Subaru chose a chain instead of a belt for the Lineartronic, with smaller pulley cores for a compact unit. A quieter, more compact second generation arrived with the 2012 Impreza and the 2013 Legacy and Outback. Turbo models use a high-torque version: the 2014 Forester 2.0XT with 6- and 8-speed manual modes, then the Ascent, Outback XT and Legacy XT with an 8-speed manual mode. For the 2020 Legacy, Subaru switched to a lower-viscosity CVT oil that it says cuts horsepower loss by 32 percent. The WRX's automatic, called the Sport Lineartronic from 2015 and the Subaru Performance Transmission from 2022, is a CVT with an 8-speed manual mode.
Subaru doesn't publish a torque-capacity figure for any Lineartronic version. NHTSA records show recalls for a cooler hose (2010), a pressure sensor and drive-chain slip (2019–2021 Ascent, Outback and Legacy) and a select-lever cable nut (2021). Each has a free dealer remedy, so for any 2019–2021 Ascent, Outback or Legacy, check the VIN for open campaigns.
Lineartronic CVT at a glance
| Version | Model years | Documented problems | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-generation Lineartronic (2010–2012) | 2010–2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Second-generation and high-torque Lineartronic (2012–present) | 2012–present | 0 | 5 |
CarWhere lists 0 documented problems and 6 NHTSA recalls for the Lineartronic CVT, each with a source.
First-generation Lineartronic (2010–2012)
Introduced on the 2010 Legacy and Outback 2.5i as a chain-type CVT with a six-step manual mode via paddles.
First-generation Lineartronic (2010–2012) specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Chain-type CVT, longitudinally mounted[1] |
| First application | 2010 Legacy and Outback 2.5i[1] |
| Manual mode | Six preset steps, steering-wheel paddles[1] |
| AWD coupling | Electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch[1] |
| Torque capacity | Not published by Subaru |
Which vehicles have the First-generation Lineartronic (2010–2012)?
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy 2.5i | 2010–2012 | |
| Outback 2.5i | 2010–2012 |
First-generation Lineartronic (2010–2012) recalls
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Vehicles | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V196 | 2010-05-07 | 2010 Outback and Legacy built July 31–Dec. 1, 200929,443 vehicles | The CVT fluid cooler hose can crack or split and leak; if all the fluid is lost while driving, the car will come to a stop. Dealers replace affected hoses free of charge. |
Second-generation and high-torque Lineartronic (2012–present)
Quieter and more compact, starting with the 2012 Impreza and the 2013 Legacy and Outback. High-torque versions back the FA20 and FA24 turbos.
Second-generation and high-torque Lineartronic (2012–present) specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Second generation | Quieter and more compact; debuted on the 2012 Impreza[2] |
| 2013 XV Crosstrek | Second-generation Lineartronic optional (5-speed manual standard)[3] |
| 2013 Legacy | Second-generation Lineartronic, more responsive and quieter[4] |
| High-torque version | 2014 Forester 2.0XT, with 6- and 8-speed manual modes[5] |
| Turbo SUV application | High-torque Lineartronic with 8-speed manual mode (Ascent)[6] |
| Fluid | Lower-viscosity oil from 2020 Legacy; Subaru cites 32 percent less horsepower loss[7] |
| Performance version | Sport Lineartronic (2015 WRX); Subaru Performance Transmission (2022 WRX)[8] |
| Torque capacity | Not published by Subaru |
Which vehicles have the Second-generation and high-torque Lineartronic (2012–present)?
| Model | Model years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Impreza | 2012–present | |
| Legacy | 2013–2025 | |
| Outback | 2013–present | |
| Forester | 2014–present | |
| XV Crosstrek / Crosstrek | 2013–present | Manual also offered on some trims |
| Ascent | 2019–present | High-torque version |
| WRX | 2015–present | Sport Lineartronic, then Subaru Performance Transmission |
Second-generation and high-torque Lineartronic (2012–present) recalls
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Vehicles | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V502 | 2015-08-10 | 2015–2016 Legacy and Outback built July 3–27, 20152,893 vehicles | Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller-shaft yoke and could reach the exhaust. Dealers replace the propeller shaft free of charge. |
| 19V855 | 2019-12-02 | 2019 Ascent76,842 vehicles | The transmission hydraulic sensor may read pressure higher than actual, so the CVT drive chain may lack tension and the vehicle lose drive power. Dealers reprogram the TCU, replace the sensor harness when certain codes are stored and replace transmissions with confirmed low chain tension. |
| 21V955 | 2021-12-09 | 2019–2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback198,255 vehicles | A TCU programming error may let the clutch engage before the drive chain is fully clamped, so the chain may slip and break. Dealers reprogram the TCU, check its data for chain slip, inspect the chain guide and replace the transmission if damage is found. Includes all vehicles from 19V855. |
| 22V485 | 2022-07-08 | 2020–2021 Outback and Legacy182 vehicles | Expansion of 21V955 to more cars with the same TCU programming error and chain-slip risk; same inspection and remedy. |
| 21V024 | 2021-01-26 | 2021 Outback and Impreza383 vehicles | The CVT select-lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, so the gear selector may not work correctly. Dealers inspect and tighten the nut free of charge. |
Lineartronic CVT issues by model
The same transmission shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.
- Subaru Outback: CVT cooler hose may crack and leak fluid (recall 10V196) (2010)
- Subaru Outback: CVT clutch may engage before the drive chain is clamped (recall 21V955) (2020)
- Subaru Ascent: CVT hydraulic pressure sensor may read high (recall 19V855) (2019)
- Subaru Ascent: CVT clutch may engage before the drive chain is clamped (recall 21V955) (2019–2020)
- Subaru Legacy: CVT clutch may engage before the drive chain is clamped (recall 21V955) (2020)
Related Subaru research
Confirm a car really has the Lineartronic CVT.
The transmission a Subaru left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Subaru build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
Frequently asked questions
Does Subaru use a belt or chain CVT?
A chain. Subaru describes the Lineartronic as a chain-type CVT with smaller pulley cores, introduced on the 2010 Legacy and Outback, and calls it the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT for AWD production vehicles.
What are the Subaru CVT recalls?
The main ones are 21V955 (2019–2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback) and its 22V485 expansion, which reprogram the TCU so the drive chain cannot slip, and 19V855 for the 2019 Ascent pressure sensor. Smaller campaigns covered a 2010 cooler hose (10V196) and a 2021 select-lever cable nut (21V024).
Which Subarus have a CVT?
Nearly every automatic Subaru since the 2010 Legacy and Outback: Impreza, Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Legacy, Ascent and the automatic WRX. The BRZ uses a conventional six-speed automatic, not a CVT.
What is the high-torque Lineartronic?
It is the version Subaru pairs with its turbo engines, first in the 2014 Forester 2.0XT and then in the Ascent, Outback XT and Legacy XT, with an 8-speed manual mode. Subaru does not publish its torque rating.
Sources
Ratings are Subaru-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
- Subaru to Introduce All-New 2010 Legacy at New York International Auto Show (Mar. 30, 2009) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Debuts All-New 36-MPG 2012 Impreza at New York International Auto Show (Apr. 19, 2011) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Introduces 2013 XV Crosstrek (Aug. 1, 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- 2013 Subaru Legacy Debuts New Powertrain, EyeSight and Revised Styling (Aug. 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Reveals All-New 2014 Forester Crossover SUV (Oct. 30, 2012) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru of America, Inc. Presents All-New 2019 Ascent 3-Row SUV — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- Subaru Storms Into Windy City with All-New Seventh-Generation 2020 Legacy (Feb. 7, 2019) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
- 2015 Subaru WRX Debuts New Level of Performance (Dec. 17, 2013) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
More Subaru tools
- Subaru research hub
- Subaru trim levels explained
- Subaru known issues by model
- Subaru history
- Free Subaru VIN decoder
- Subaru specs by model
- Subaru reliability
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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America, Inc. or Subaru Corporation. Subaru and the model names are trademarks of their owners.