My new 2014 2.5 Outback with CVT has less than 2000 miles. Almost immediately after I bought it, when I made turns and then press the accelerator, nothing happens for 2 to 10 seconds, then the engine revs up and surges forward. I have had to pull off the road because of oncoming traffic. This has also happened when I stop for traffic, and press accelerator to go forward. Very intermittent. Has happened about 20 times in the last 6 weeks. Does not seem related to temperature or gas. Local dealer drove it 2 miles and said they couldn't replicate the problem. Bought this for safety. Not safe! Don't know what to do....
I have an indash cam, picked it up for 20$ on amazon. Works great and i use it to show my other mechanic friends when somethings off. When it happens i explain whats happing at the time. Also its nice to have incase you get into an accident.
Couple of things to keep in mind the gas pedal is connected to a computer which then decides how much throttle the engine gets. If your pressing the gas pedal and getting no throttle response engine is not revving etc - its possible you have a loose connection or faulty pedal position sender to the Engine Control module. First time I drove my Toyota on a rough road I had the same experience on tight up hill turns the engine would drop to idle and I could pump the gas pedal a couple of times before I got any engine response. Turned out it was the ESC it stability control system being overly active and when the rear tires hopped over the rough road surface it would cut the throttle till the truck nearly came to a stop then return throttle control to me.
However with the OB and on pavement that very same experience could be related to a loose connection some place, faulty sensor in the throttle sending unit or even possibly something causing the Stability Control system to jump in and cut power.
If the engine does rev up but your not getting any power to the wheels then that would worry me that the CVT is some how having issues and could have a faulty part or problem causing it to fail at sending power to the wheels.
Any chance this happens only when turning in one direction under a certain type of condition like say a right turn onto a highway on ramp and the car is already moving given you were turning from say a 35mph surface street to the highway ramp? Or maybe at slower speeds your turning like say in a parking lot? Or it does it after your stopped and then accelerate to make a Left turn?
The reason I ask is if the engine revs but your not getting power to the wheels in a specific turn rare possibility you have a faulty CV joint which is causing some power delivery issues to the wheels and possibly mixing up the CVT.
So more details as to when and under what conditions you seem to have this happen might help some folks think through possible causes. Of course the electronic short or issue cutting power would be hard to sort out till a mechanic actually sees it happen.
Video of the car doing this can be a big help showing the dealer what the car is doing.
I have a similar problem with my 2013 Subaru Outback with 6-speed automatic transmission. I'll be at a stop sign or stop light, and when I depress the accelerator to pull away, the engine stays at idle, and the car barely creeps forward.
The problem occurs apparently at random and only when I've come to a stop and then try to accelerate. Needles to say, this can be quite dangerous if I am attempting to pull out into traffic.
The only remedy I have found is to shut off the car and re-start it. So far, this has solved the problem every time.
When I brought the car to the dealer, the technician could not replicate the problem and so did nothing to fix the problem. I even drove around for 15 minutes with the technician in the passenger seat, but the problem did not happen.
Now, two weeks later, it's happening again. I'll be returning to the dealer, but I'm wondering if anyone has found a solution.
I just purchased a 2014 Outback 3.6. It still has less then 1000 kms on it and the hesitation problem described above is exactly what has happened to me several times now. When I slow down for an intersection or to make a turn in a parking lot at the mall I suddenly get no response from depressing the gas pedal. After 2 to 10 seconds the engine will suddenly respond to the depressed gas pedal and surge forward. From my experiences this is a potentially dangerous situation and if not fixed is an accident waiting to happen. My dealer is 200 plus kms away so I can't just drop in and out and furthermore he says he can only deal with it if he can personally experience the problem.
I, too, have experienced an acceleration hesitation on my 2014 CVT 2.5 Limited Outback. This has occurs after stopping, then turning and attempting to accelerate from the stop. The accelerator pedal appears useless for 2-5 seconds, then finally after pumping the accelerator a couple of times, normal reaction, the engine begins to accelerate and act normally. Has happened after a right hand turn and is very intermittent.
Think of it as fly-by-wire, if you are a pilot; one has to get used to it....however, what you are describing may have to be checked by the dealer. There may be some problems with throttle electronic feedback to the engine control module, or some mechanical issue with the linkage, as subiesailor described above. Also, remember (I know you are aware of this) that CVT handles differently than a conventional transmission.
I started this thread 3 months and 3000 miles ago. I thought maybe the computer would "learn me" as a driver. For awhile the hesitation seemed to happen less. I went to a fairgrounds parking lot and tried to replicate the problem by making a lot of turns after starting up after a stop. Couldn't replicate. Tried different gas- no change. Hesitates 1-2 seconds several times most days now when I am starting up in town traffic. Not above 15 mph or on highway. This weekend the car hesitated longer as I was turning left into oncoming traffic. I pumped the accelerator- no effect. Finally hit the brake pedal briefly and then the accelerator and the car surged forward. Several times I have found hitting the brake pedal briefly seems to "wake up" the frozen accelerator. If I take the car to the dealer and they drive it briefly the problem does not show up. I am tired of so much undependability and danger entering traffic. I don't know what to do next. Thinking of returning the car for good.
I have a hesitation problem with my 2014 Outback CVT. I purchased in August 2013, and now have 13000 miles on it. Most every time I drive it I get the hesitation with the accelerator pedal. This has made for several UNSAFE situations in parking garages and pedestrian crowded city streets. My car is at dealership now, with me in a loaner. Hopefully the problem will get identified and fixed.
UPDATE: My Austin Subaru dealership kept my car for a couple days... their CORRECTION was: Performed T.C.M. relearn and clearing memory 1 and 2, and also cleared E.C.M. .memory and test drove 4 times. (they also noted during their initial drive with me that I was using my left foot to brake... which they said could cause a problem if I was pushing the brake while also pushing the accelerator. Well, I, of course, wouldn't do that on purpose... and the loaner vehicle they gave me was a 2014 Forester, also with CVT and for a couple days I drove it, always using my left foot to brake, and noticed no hesitation ever in the Forester. SO, I thihk that left foot stuff is wrong. But, I have tried to not use the ole left foot since then.) NOW, my Outback is running the way it should have been from the very start. I'm glad. Thanks to Austin Subaru for fixing my problem and being really nice about every part of the service.
I have a hesitation problem with my 2014 Outback CVT. I purchased in August 2013, and now have 13000 miles on it. Most every time I drive it I get the hesitation with the accelerator pedal. This has made for several UNSAFE situations in parking garages and pedestrian crowded city streets. My car is at dealership now, with me in a loaner. Hopefully the problem will get identified and fixed.
UPDATE: My Austin Subaru dealership kept my car for a couple days... their CORRECTION was: Performed T.C.M. relearn and clearing memory 1 and 2, and also cleared E.C.M. .memory and test drove 4 times. (they also noted during their initial drive with me that I was using my left foot to brake... which they said could cause a problem if I was pushing the brake while also pushing the accelerator. Well, I, of course, wouldn't do that on purpose... and the loaner vehicle they gave me was a 2014 Forester, also with CVT and for a couple days I drove it, always using my left foot to brake, and noticed no hesitation ever in the Forester. SO, I thihk that left foot stuff is wrong. But, I have tried to not use the ole left foot since then.) NOW, my Outback is running the way it should have been from the very start. I'm glad. Thanks to Austin Subaru for fixing my problem and being really nice about every part of the service.
Umm Ok so a two foot driver situation is actually a pretty serious issue today given just about EVERY auto maker has a throttle cut feature built into the system when the brake is applied the throttle is cut.
We have a grand parent who drove like this for years he has since changed his ways but he had all sorts of issues with various cars not to mention it was a miserable experience riding as a passenger with him driving with two feet.
My money is on the two foot driver causing issues with the various aspects of the electronic throttle vs brake sensors getting mixed messages by two feet.
To me it sounds like what happens when the battery gets disconnected. Did you try the reset procedure?
Do not touch the throttle pedal at all with the engine stone COLD and make sure ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE TURNED OFF.....NO RADIO...NO BLOWER...NO LIGHTS....NO AC NO NOTHING IS ON
disconnect the battery.....leave it off for 10 minutes and pump the brake pedal a few times
reconnect the battery...make sure the terminals are CLEAN and tight
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT ALL
get in car
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT ALL
turn the key to the last position before the starter engages and WAIT 10 seconds
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT ALL
turn the key to start the car
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT ALL
leave the car to run until the radiator fans come on.......this may take 20-25 minutes
DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT ALL
turn the engine OFF and take the key OUT of the ignition switch and wait at least 10 seconds
put the key back in the ignition and start the car and drive normally for a bit and see what happens
I bought our 2014 Outback Limited on December 31 in Spokane, WA and immediately set out on a two-month vacation to California. Almost immediately I noticed the hesitation, not as severe as a 1-2 second no response on depressing the gas pedal that some report, but a more subtle, and very annoying, buck, jerk and bounce. I took it to Kearny-Mesa in San Diego (along with another problem: brake pedal to the floor on hard breaking) and guess what? They couldn't replicated it either! It's still happening; left the car parked here in San Francisco for three days and it was very pronounced yesterday as we went out and about. Does not seem pegged to a right hand or any kind of turn, but seems more prone to this if I'm accelerating from a stop up a very slight grade. (The hill braking feature is very much appreciated driving around SF and there is no buck noticed upon acceleration on top of a hill with the braking feature activated.)
Montana, if the battery is fairly new looking and you experience this when you come to a complete stop. Then I would run through that procedure just to rule it out. It is not going to hurt.
I have the same problem and experience and two dealers could not find it at. 2000 and 3500 miles. Both say it is characteristic of the new 2014 CVT transmission. Contact with Subaru customer service have not been helpful they defer to the dealers who cannot duplicate this intermittent problem in a few mile test. Someone else noted it ma y be a problem with throttle electronic feedback. This is the 10 Subaru we haved owned or leased in 20 years and nevr experienced such a safety hazard and lack of concern or attention from Suvaru.
Fed govt needs to be informed and step in to order a fix and recall.
I have the same problem and experience and two dealers could not find it at. 2000 and 3500 miles. Both say it is characteristic of the new 2014 CVT transmission. Contact with Subaru customer service have not been helpful they defer to the dealers who cannot duplicate this intermittent problem in a few mile test. Someone else noted it ma y be a problem with throttle electronic feedback. This is the 10 Subaru we haved owned or leased in 20 years and nevr experienced such a safety hazard and lack of concern or attention from Suvaru.
Fed govt needs to be informed and step in to order a fix and recall.
I had a 2011 Outback 2.5 CVT run like a champ. Next one is a 2014 2.5 CVT Limited with all options, runs like crap. Bucks and hesitates upon a slow takeoff from stop. My cousin has a 2013 2.5 CVT, runs as bad as mine. My son has a 2014 H-6 with automatic transmission, runs fine. We have had both the 13 and 14 2.5 back in for a fix............there is no fix!!! They will blow smoke up your ass and tell you this and that and tell you there is nothing wrong. But when you back them back into a corner and tell them you don't believe that for a minute, their story changes and they will admit there is a problem. But Subaru has no fix, plain and simple folks. I live in Iowa and every chance I get when I see another Outback from out of state, I try to see if it stops so I can ask about how theirs runs, they all have the same answer, hesitation problems!!!! So everyone keep complaining to Subaru and keep taking them back in. Maybe they will wake up and fix this problem!!!! Mason City, Iowa.
One thing I noticed with my 2.5i auto is when I go from reverse to drive it seems like it takes a few
Seconds to kick in. Now it just might be normal. I'm going to have to drive another one to see if it does the same thing.
I brought the car into a Suburu Dealer in Corpus Christi Texas with the complaint about the engine hesitation. They could find no fault codes, could not duplicate and implied that this was something one could expect from a CVT transmission and though I had 5000 miles on the car, the car was "still learning", and the problem may go away. The problem has happened a number of times since on the trip back from Texas to Virginia; now have over 7500 miles on the car. The hesitation occurs after a short acceleration and quick stop, followed by a quick acceleration command to the gas pedal. The hesitation is unnerving and lasts about 2-5 seconds. This is a problem I suspect with the software program. And no, I have flow F-16s with a fly by wire system, and the response is immediate--a computer controlled system does not need to be slow.
Do any of you with this problem have the EyeSight system? This is just a stab in the dark, but the hesitation sounds like the EyeSight collision avoidance system kicking in when it thinks it's detected an object in the path of the car. It will prevent you from accelerating until the object has cleared. Of course, that would normally issue an audible and visual alert, but maybe something is amiss there with the programming.
Finally, especially thanks to Toenine, my acceleration hesitation seems to be resolved! The dealer "erased all memory" and reprogrammed computer(s). Have almost 1000 miles with NO hesitations. Accelerations from stop seem much smoother also. Gas mileage seems better also. Thanks to all for suggestions. I do hope Subaru will respect this problem and simply erase these computers, even if they cannot always duplicate the problem. It is a dangerous problem!
This "limp throttle" problem continues on my 2013 Outback, but it is sometimes many weeks between events. The first 13 occurrences were all at low speed -- less than 15 MPH. The car simply slows down and crawls along at idle, with the RPM at about 700. Repeatedly depressing the throttle had no effect; the engine does not rev.
If I pull to the side of the road, shut off the ignition and re-start, the car then behaves normally. The last two times, I was on a quiet street, so I tried something different. I braked to a stop, shifted into Reverse, rolled a few feet backwards, then shifted into Drive. This also "fixed" the problem -- until the next occurrence.
I the past month, the problem (or a similar one) has occurred twice, but this time at a higher speed -- about 30 MPH. In these two instances, the car suddenly began slowing. I began blipping the throttle pedal, and the throttle finally responded after the car had slowed to about 15 MPH. In these two cases, the throttle response returned without the need to come to a stop.
I have yet to see the "Check Engine" light during any of the 15 or so episodes.
Obviously, the car will be going back to the dealer. It will be their second attempt at this problem (they could not duplicate the problem nor did they find an error code the first time). Is there anything I should be telling them to look for? Should I demand they replace the pedal assembly or other components?
Shouldn't matter what foot does what. Some people drive with 1 hand, some with 2. Some use 1 foot some use 2. No heel and toe in the Gen 4? Paddle shifters but shouldn't use them? "No reason to use the paddle shifters as nobody is as smart as the computer that operates the CVT in choosing which gear is correct." I realize I'm combining a few different threads, but come on, rather ludicrous isn't it? Now you pull out into traffic and the car dies, or worse, cruising down the road and the throttle quits? That guy was lucky he didn't get a dump truck enema and a trip to the hospital. When are people going to stop making excuses for new cars doing some really dangerous things? Chevy just recalled millions of cars because 11 of them had accidents because the ignition suddenly shut off. Myriad of problems with this car. Fix it and make it right before somebody really gets hurt. Doesn't matter who makes the car or how old it is or what the problem is...stop the denial, correct the problems.
Box its well documented and proven that left foot brake users pose a sizable safety issue. So much so that Auto makers all pretty much have some level of throttle cut feature when the brake is hit. You cant argue against data that has shown over and over that yes its actually a big cause of accidents.
The predictable emergency stop response for left foot brake users is mashing both feet down while each foot is on a pedal. You dont need a diagram do you?
Ever ride a motorcycle? Then you'd know how important motor skills conditioning is even the top pro bikers spend lots of time reviewing and addressing bad habits regarding physical motions vs control input on the bike.
Try operating a skidsteer with hand controls that not only operates the drive and turns, but the bucket functions as well, when you are used to the bucket operation completed with your feet. There are equal amounts of both types on the market, and the market listens to what the operators prefer. Not so other automakers? Betcha a new Camaro or Mustang or even an Impala don't have a which foot does what issue. Maybe your FIL's car has that but I don't think most of them do that are exported to the US. It's a personal choice, simple as that. It's also illegal to text and drive, but trying to figure out your NAV while driving is OK. Subaru locked out the NAV while the vehicle is in motion for that reason. And I ran across a thread where people who own '14s are trying to circumvent that feature. But we have a vehicle that cuts out when someone uses 2 feet? How stupid.
I'm pretty sure you can heel and toe downshift both the WRX and STI. Car and driver mentions the pedals are perfectly placed for this in their reviews of both cars. Most cars cut off the fuel flow when you take your foot off the gas - NOT when you put your foot on the brake.
The situation described earlier sounds like a major safety issue.
I also have witnessed many a car driving down the highway with the brake lights on.
The only thing the left foot is for is the clutch, the dimmer switch in really old cars and scratching the back of your right calf.
I'm preparing to pick up my '14 2.5i CVT. I'll let you know if I have any hesitation issues. I find this kind of disconcerting. We have had no issues in my wife's '12 3.6R for 2 1/2 years.
The traction control in my Trans Am will cut the throttle if I spin the tires. I keep it turned off unless it is raining.
I have driven a cvt for 160K miles on a 2005 Ford freestyle. That made me a
huge fan of CVTs. Perfect compromise of performance and economy.
So I am not a stranger on how a CVT performs, also, I do not brake with my left foot.
Next we bought a 2013 Suby Crosstrek XV CVT and found it performed just fine.
Always peppy off the line, but weak on top end but not unexpected
with a 2.0 normally aspirated engine. Very happy with it and its mpg.
Next we added a 2014 Outback. Problem from day 1. It had intermittent
sometimes severe hesitation off the line. Scary and dangerous pulling into traffic.
I gave it a chance to "learn" but think that is a bogus excuse for a
bad job programming the CVT response. The Ford excelled in that
area and the XV is fine but the Outback sucks. I REALLY REALLY
want my Outback CVT to perform like the Freestyle or XV.
It handles dirt roads, washboards and soft sand b etter than most
Outback gets better MPG than I could hope for. It has the
extended roofline for racks, bikes, kayaks, skis, etc.
It would be my perfect car but a constant anxiety
and annoyance about the off acceleration performance.
BOTTOM LINE:
Don't know if the hesitation is conflict between hill-holder braking or
over emphasis on fuel economy or what?
I have resorted to using the Manual mode and paddle shifters
off the line and it has NEVER hesitated in manual 1st speed.
That convinces me that it is a CVT programming flaw that
should be addressed rather than and engine issue.
I've been experiencing minor hesitations/bump & jerks with my '14. I have almost 12k miles on it and it recently started happening. Thanks to this thread and all your discussion, I will go in and ask for the memory clear and see how it goes from there. Glad to know I wasn't imagining it!
Also having this problem on our 2014 Outback. The dealership told my wife she wasn't pushing down on the accelerator enough, basically driving the car like Miss Daisy. They did some calibrations which seemed to fix the issue for a week and now its back.
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