Subaru CVT reliability: years to avoid, problems & recalls

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Subaru extended the CVT portion of its powertrain warranty from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles on nearly every Lineartronic-equipped 2010–2020 model, saying the move was not in response to any specific condition. The most serious documented defect is a control-unit programming error that could let the drive chain slip on 2019–2020 Ascents and 2020–2021 Outbacks and Legacys (recalls 19V855, 21V955 and 22V485).

Subaru CVT at a glance

Subaru Lineartronic CVT (chain-type continuously variable transmission): key facts
FactDetail
TypeContinuously variable (CVT)
Used bySubaru
Years in use2010–present (US)
Also known asLineartronic, TR580, TR690
Transmission-related NHTSA recalls listed7
Warranty extensions / special coverage listed5
Court settlements listed1

What the Subaru CVT is

Lineartronic is Subaru's continuously variable transmission. Subaru introduced it on the 2010 Legacy 2.5i as a chain-type CVT and called it the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT for all-wheel-drive production vehicles. A drive chain runs between two variable-diameter pulleys.

The Lineartronic spread to almost every automatic Subaru: Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, Forester, WRX and Ascent. Subaru's 2025 retailer notice names two versions: the TR580, paired with the 2.0L and 2.5L non-turbo engines, and the TR690, paired with the 2.4L turbo in the Ascent and 2020 Legacy and Outback. Subaru's service bulletins on NHTSA's site document the warranty extensions model by model.

Which vehicles use the Subaru CVT?

Makes, models and model years equipped with the Subaru CVT
MakeModelModel yearsNotes
SubaruLegacy2010–2020 (extension years)2.5L from 2010; 3.6L with CVT from 2015; 2.4L turbo (TR690) for 2020[1][2][3]
SubaruOutback2010–2020 (extension years)2.5L from 2010; 3.6L with CVT from 2015; 2.4L turbo (TR690) for 2020[2][4][5][3]
SubaruImpreza2012–2020 (extension years)2.0L (TR580 for 2019–2020)[2][4][5][3]
SubaruCrosstrek / XV Crosstrek2013–2019 (extension years)2.0L; 2014–2016 Crosstrek Hybrid also covered; 2019 Hybrid excluded[2][4][5][6]
SubaruForester2014–2020 (extension years)2.5L; the 2.0L turbo with CVT is listed in the 2014–2018 bulletins[2][4][5][3]
SubaruWRX2015–2018 (extension years)2.0L turbo with CVT[2][4][5]
SubaruAscent2019–2020 (extension years)2.4L turbo with the TR690[3][7]

Subaru CVT years to avoid vs. safer years

“Years to avoid” here means the model years with the most documented action — recalls, manufacturer warranty extensions or court settlements — not a prediction about any single vehicle. A car from these years with completed repairs and good records can be a sound buy; one without them deserves a closer look.

Model years with the most documented problems

  • 2019–2020 Subaru Ascent — Subject to recalls 19V855 and 21V955 for a drive chain that could lose tension or slip, plus a follow-on chain-slip warranty extension.[8][7][10]
  • 2020–2021 Subaru Outback and Legacy — Covered by recalls 21V955 and 22V485 for a control-unit programming error that could let the CVT drive chain slip and break.[7][9]

Known Subaru CVT problems

Drive chain may slip because of a control-unit programming error (2019–2021 Ascent, Outback, Legacy) (2019–2021)

NHTSA recall 21V955 says a programming error in the transmission control unit on 2019–2020 Ascents and 2020 Legacys and Outbacks may let the clutch engage before the drive chain is fully clamped, so the chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power. Dealers reprogram the TCU, check its data for chain slip and replace the transmission if damage is found. The recall absorbed earlier recall 19V855, and 22V485 added 2020–2021 Outbacks and Legacys.[7][8][9]

Reported symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive power
  • Transmission warning light

Hydraulic pressure sensor may read high (2019 Ascent, recall 19V855) (2019)

Recall 19V855 covers 76,842 2019 Ascents whose transmission hydraulic sensor may read pressure higher than actual. The system then lowers pressure, the drive chain may lose tension, and the vehicle can lose drive power. Dealers reprogram the TCU, replace the sensor harness when certain codes are stored and replace transmissions confirmed to have had low chain tension.[8]

Reported symptoms

  • Loss of drive power
  • Transmission warning light

Chain-slip warranty extension after recall WRK-21 (2019–2020)

Subaru service bulletin 16-139-22 says that on 2019–2020 Ascents and 2020 turbo Legacys and Outbacks covered by recall WRK-21 (21V955), once the recall work is done Subaru extends CVT coverage for chain-slip failure to 10 years/100,000 miles from the original warranty start date. It covers one CVT replacement for chain slip during that period.[10][7]

Reported symptoms

  • Loss of drive power after the recall repair

CVT cooler hose may crack (early 2010 Outback and Legacy, recall 10V196) (2010)

Recall 10V196 covers 29,443 2010 Outbacks and Legacys built July 31 to December 1, 2009, whose CVT cooler hose can crack or split and leak fluid. Dealers replace affected hoses free of charge.[11]

Reported symptoms

  • Fluid leak under the front of the car
  • Loss of drive

Factory CVT warranty extension to 10 years/100,000 miles (2010–2020 models) (2010–2020)

In a series of service bulletins from 2017 to 2025, Subaru of America extended the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty for the CVT from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles on most 2010–2020 CVT models. The bulletins state the change was not in response to any specific condition but to give owners added assurance about the CVT.[2][4][5][3][6]

Subaru CVT recalls

Transmission-related NHTSA safety recalls (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
10V1962010-05-072010 Subaru Outback and Legacy built July 31–Dec. 1, 200929,443 vehiclesThe CVT cooler hose can crack or split and leak fluid. Dealers replace affected hoses free of charge.[11]
15V5022015-08-102015–2016 Subaru Legacy and Outback built July 3–27, 20152,893 vehiclesTransmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller-shaft yoke. Dealers replace the propeller shaft free of charge.[12]
19V8552019-12-022019 Subaru Ascent76,842 vehiclesThe transmission hydraulic sensor may read pressure higher than actual, so the drive chain may lose tension and the vehicle lose drive power. Dealers reprogram the TCU, replace the sensor harness where codes are stored and replace transmissions with confirmed low chain tension.[8]
21V0242021-01-262021 Subaru Outback and Impreza383 vehiclesThe CVT select-lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly and can loosen. Dealers inspect and tighten the nut free of charge.[13]
21V9552021-12-092019–2020 Subaru Ascent; 2020 Legacy and Outback198,255 vehiclesA 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, inspect for chain slip and replace the transmission if damage is found. Includes all vehicles from 19V855.[7]
22V4852022-07-082020–2021 Subaru Outback and Legacy182 vehiclesExpansion covering more cars with the same TCU programming error and chain-slip risk; same inspection and remedy.[9]
23V7552023-11-092021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021–2023 Legacy and Outback95,830 vehiclesAn insufficient weld may let water into the transmission inhibitor switch, which can stop the reverse lights and rearview camera image from working. Dealers replace the switch free of charge.[14]

Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of age or owner. Check a specific car by its 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the CarWhere recall check.

Subaru CVT extended warranty coverage

Manufacturer warranty extensions and special coverage for the Subaru CVT
ProgramVehiclesCoverageNotes
CVT warranty extension, bulletin 16-107-17R[2]2010–2015 Legacy/Outback 2.5L; 2015 Legacy/Outback 3.6L; 2012–2015 Impreza; 2013–2015 Crosstrek; 2014–2015 Crosstrek Hybrid; 2014–2015 Forester 2.5L and 2.0L turbo; 2015 WRX10 years / 100,000 miles (from 5 years / 60,000 miles)Owners beyond 10 years or 100,000 miles when notified got one year of extra coverage from the letter date; measured from the original warranty start date.
CVT warranty extension, bulletin 16-115-18[4]2016–2017 Legacy/Outback 2.5L and 3.6L; Impreza; Crosstrek; 2016 Crosstrek Hybrid; Forester 2.5L and 2.0L turbo; WRX10 years / 100,000 milesApplies only to the original CVT or a genuine Subaru replacement.
CVT warranty extension, bulletin 16-117-18[5]2018 Legacy/Outback 2.5L and 3.6L; Impreza; Crosstrek; Forester 2.5L and 2.0L turbo; WRX10 years / 100,000 milesApplies only to the original CVT or a genuine Subaru replacement.
CVT warranty extension, 2019–2020 models (bulletin 16-155-25R)[3][6]2019 Legacy/Outback 2.5L; 2020 Legacy/Outback 2.4L turbo; 2019–2020 Impreza; 2019 Crosstrek (not Hybrid); 2019–2020 Forester; 2019–2020 Ascent10 years / 100,000 milesAnnounced June 30, 2025, with a one-year coverage window for all listed vehicles regardless of mileage from the notification date.
Chain-slip warranty extension after recall WRK-21 (bulletin 16-139-22)[10]2019–2020 Ascent; 2020 Legacy and Outback turbo models that received the 21V955 recall repair10 years / 100,000 miles for CVT chain-slip failureOne CVT replacement for chain slip during the extension; starts once the recall repair is completed.

Extended coverage is tied to the VIN and usually measured from the original in-service date and mileage. A franchised dealer can confirm whether it still applies to a specific vehicle.

Class-action settlements involving the Subaru CVT

  • Hickman et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. et al. (No. 1:21-cv-02100)[15]

    U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

    Vehicles: Subaru Ascent with the TR690 CVT

    On October 19, 2022, the court granted in part and denied in part Subaru's motions to dismiss the amended complaint.

Summaries describe the public settlement record only; settlements are not findings of fault.

NHTSA owner complaints: the power-train signal

Owners file complaints with NHTSA and tag each with the components involved. The tables below count, for each model year, how many complaints include NHTSA’s “power train” component (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Raw counts are not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age, so compare the power-train share across years of the same model rather than across models.

Subaru Outback

In the model years that used the Subaru CVT (highlighted), 643 of 4,663 NHTSA owner complaints (13.8%) list the power train as a component, versus 6.5% across the other Subaru Outback model years in the same snapshot. The highest count is the 2011 model year, with 216 power-train complaints.

Subaru Outback: NHTSA owner complaints by model year, all components vs. power train
Model yearAll complaintsPower-train complaintsPower-train share
2008230125.2%
2009111109%
2010Subaru CVT3599426.2%
2011Subaru CVT64921633.3%
2012Subaru CVT29010736.9%
2013Subaru CVT2955819.7%
2014Subaru CVT2082512%
2015Subaru CVT504377.3%
2016Subaru CVT638457.1%
2017Subaru CVT917475.1%
2018Subaru CVT803141.7%

Subaru Legacy

In the model years that used the Subaru CVT (highlighted), 190 of 1,307 NHTSA owner complaints (14.5%) list the power train as a component, versus 4.6% across the other Subaru Legacy model years in the same snapshot. The highest count is the 2010 model year, with 50 power-train complaints.

Subaru Legacy: NHTSA owner complaints by model year, all components vs. power train
Model yearAll complaintsPower-train complaintsPower-train share
20086569.2%
20096523.1%
2010Subaru CVT1505033.3%
2011Subaru CVT1674728.1%
2012Subaru CVT903437.8%
2013Subaru CVT661218.2%
2014Subaru CVT53611.3%
2015Subaru CVT159159.4%
2016Subaru CVT145139%
2017Subaru CVT11843.4%
2018Subaru CVT11610.9%
2019Subaru CVT12210.8%
2020Subaru CVT12175.8%
20213126.5%
20223200%
20231000%
20241500%

Subaru Forester

In the model years that used the Subaru CVT (highlighted), 318 of 3,906 NHTSA owner complaints (8.1%) list the power train as a component, versus 5.4% across the other Subaru Forester model years in the same snapshot. The highest count is the 2015 model year, with 94 power-train complaints.

Subaru Forester: NHTSA owner complaints by model year, all components vs. power train
Model yearAll complaintsPower-train complaintsPower-train share
20085024%
2009178179.6%
201026272.7%
201114785.4%
201210554.8%
20137767.8%
2014Subaru CVT4034110.2%
2015Subaru CVT6119415.4%
2016Subaru CVT4054811.9%
2017Subaru CVT578447.6%
2018Subaru CVT487234.7%
2019Subaru CVT831384.6%
2020Subaru CVT591305.1%
2021207146.8%
20229444.3%
20236934.3%
20242800%
20257845.1%

Subaru Impreza

In the model years that used the Subaru CVT (highlighted), 96 of 1,302 NHTSA owner complaints (7.4%) list the power train as a component, versus 24.3% across the other Subaru Impreza model years in the same snapshot. The highest count is the 2012 model year, with 26 power-train complaints.

Subaru Impreza: NHTSA owner complaints by model year, all components vs. power train
Model yearAll complaintsPower-train complaintsPower-train share
20082097033.5%
20091123026.8%
201045511.1%
201157610.5%
2012Subaru CVT2422610.7%
2013Subaru CVT248239.3%
2014Subaru CVT10898.3%
2015Subaru CVT791215.2%
2016Subaru CVT751317.3%
2017Subaru CVT12554%
2018Subaru CVT14942.7%
2019Subaru CVT19142.1%
2020Subaru CVT8500%
20211417.1%
202212325%
2023400%
20242926.9%
20254125%

Subaru Crosstrek

In the model years that used the Subaru CVT (highlighted), 80 of 794 NHTSA owner complaints (10.1%) list the power train as a component, versus 5.4% across the other Subaru Crosstrek model years in the same snapshot. The highest count is the 2019 model year, with 23 power-train complaints.

Subaru Crosstrek: NHTSA owner complaints by model year, all components vs. power train
Model yearAll complaintsPower-train complaintsPower-train share
2012200%
2013Subaru CVT25312%
2016Subaru CVT1311813.7%
2017Subaru CVT971313.4%
2018Subaru CVT194147.2%
2019Subaru CVT279238.2%
2020Subaru CVT68913.2%
20211081211.1%
20222813.6%
20233200%
202410432.9%
20254112.4%

Source: NHTSA owner-complaint records (api.nhtsa.gov complaintsByVehicle), snapshot as of 2026-07-14. Complaints are unverified owner reports; one complaint can list several components.

Buying a used car with the Subaru CVT: what to check

  1. Run the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; on a 2019–2021 Ascent, Outback or Legacy confirm 19V855, 21V955 or 22V485 shows as repaired.
  2. Ask a Subaru retailer to run a Vehicle Coverage Inquiry on the VIN to see whether a CVT warranty extension is still active and when it expires.
  3. Check the original warranty start date and mileage; most extensions end at 10 years or 100,000 miles from that date.
  4. Ask for records of any CVT replacement; Subaru's extensions cover only the original CVT or a genuine Subaru replacement unit.
  5. On a test drive, note any shudder, hesitation, loss of drive power or transmission warning light.

Related research

Year-by-year verdicts for models with the Subaru CVT

Engines and model known-issues pages

Compare other transmissions

All transmissions: reliability and years to avoid

Frequently asked questions

Did Subaru extend the CVT warranty?

Yes. Through service bulletins issued from 2017 to 2025, Subaru extended the CVT portion of its powertrain warranty from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles on most CVT-equipped 2010–2020 Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, Forester and WRX models and the 2019–2020 Ascent.

Why did Subaru extend the CVT warranty?

Subaru's bulletins say the extensions were not in response to any specific condition but were meant to give customers added assurance about the CVT's function and performance. Separately, a recall-linked extension covers chain-slip failure on 2019–2020 Ascents and 2020 turbo Legacys and Outbacks.

What are the Subaru CVT recalls?

The main ones are 19V855 (2019 Ascent pressure sensor), 21V955 (2019–2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback chain slip) and 22V485, which added more 2020–2021 Outbacks and Legacys. Smaller recalls covered a 2010 cooler hose (10V196), a 2021 select-lever cable nut (21V024) and an inhibitor switch (23V755).

Does the Subaru Lineartronic use a belt or a chain?

A chain. Subaru's announcement of the 2010 Legacy describes the Lineartronic as a chain-type CVT, in which a drive chain runs between two variable-diameter pulleys, and calls it the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT for all-wheel-drive production vehicles.

What is the difference between the TR580 and TR690?

Subaru's 2025 retailer notice lists the TR580 with the 2.0L and 2.5L non-turbo engines in 2019–2020 Impreza, Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy and Outback models, and the TR690 with the 2.4L turbo in the 2019–2020 Ascent and 2020 Legacy and Outback.

How CarWhere compiled this page

Every problem, recall, warranty extension and settlement above is CarWhere’s own summary of a primary record — NHTSA recall campaigns, manufacturer service bulletins and warranty-extension notices filed with NHTSA, manufacturer press material, and court or settlement-administrator records — and is numbered to its source below. We list a model year under “years to avoid” only when a manufacturer, regulator or court record ties it to the transmission. Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public owner-complaint data, counted once per complaint. We do not estimate failure rates or repair costs. See also the years-to-avoid methodology.

Sources

Descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the records below. Recall details are as reported to NHTSA by the manufacturer.

  1. Subaru to Introduce All-New 2010 Legacy at New York International Auto Show (Mar. 30, 2009) — Subaru of America, Inc.
  2. Service Bulletin 16-107-17R: CVT Warranty Extension (2010–2015 models), revised Nov. 9, 2017 — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  3. CVT Warranty Extension – certain 2019–2020 MY vehicles (retailer notice, June 30, 2025) — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  4. Service Bulletin 16-115-18: CVT Warranty Extension (2016–2017 models), Sept. 6, 2018 — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  5. Service Bulletin 16-117-18: CVT Warranty Extension (2018 models), Oct. 9, 2018 — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  6. Service Bulletin 16-155-25R: CVT Warranty Extension (2019–2020 models), revised Apr. 24, 2026 — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  7. NHTSA recall 21V955 — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA recall 19V855 — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recall 22V485 — NHTSA
  10. Service Bulletin 16-139-22: CVT Assembly (WRK-21) Warranty Extension, July 8, 2022 — Subaru of America, Inc. (filed with NHTSA)
  11. NHTSA recall 10V196 — NHTSA
  12. NHTSA recall 15V502 — NHTSA
  13. NHTSA recall 21V024 — NHTSA
  14. NHTSA recall 23V755 — NHTSA
  15. Hickman et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. et al., Opinion (Oct. 19, 2022) — U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (via govinfo.gov)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer or transmission supplier. Product and model names are trademarks of their owners.