[asnowman]

I own a 2006 OB sedan H6 3.0L (over 170k miles) which recently started slow-leaking transmission fluid. Recently I have noticed when following at steady speeds between 40-50mph the car begins bucking or hitching (power cuts in and out over and over until I accelerate). It doesn't do this when accelerating at all. I just checked the ATF level and it was only down a little bit.

I was recently in a head-on collision with a deer. The car was still drive-able, they replaced the radiator, and they put new transmission fluid in the car. The car never had any issues before the collision- is there any chance the accident has something to do with my sudden transmission problem?

What would cause the hitching to occur? Is there any chance this could be a simple gasket leak, or is it more serious (will I need a new tranny?).

 

[AWDFTW]

I'm wondering if your car had an incorrect fluid put in it at the repair. Do you know what was used?

It should be Subaru ATF-HP. Dex III fluid can cause they symptoms (other than the leak) you describe.

 

[asnowman]

That is entirely possible. It was a body shop, and they work on all makes and models of vehicles. I'll have my regular mechanic flush the fluid to be sure, he only works on Subarus. Do you think a head on impact with a deer at about 50mph would cause the tranny to leak? I never had any problems with the car until after the repair work was done. It also did this strange "kick" in the engine twice while I was at a stop waiting to pull out into traffic, almost like a cut in power for just a split second. It never did that before either.

 

[rasterman]

The Trans cooler is up front, and the ATF filter is tucked into the front left fender behind the headlight outboard of the battery. So yes, a frontal crash can start a leak. Possibly an incorrect replacement of the hoses feeding the filter/cooler loop?

 

[cardoc]

Or the transmission cooler hoses are loose at the cooler inlet/outlet. Where does the fluid pool up when you park?

Try the flush and check all the lines and connections. Hopefully it will correct it.