[Kybackpacker]

Looking at possibly getting a 2023 Outback Touring but feel a bit skittish about it reading some of these CVT threads. I've owned passats for the last 20 years which have their own set of issues so this would be my first Subaru. Is the CVT that bad? Any major reliability concerns for the Subaru? Should I avoid and look at other car brands? Kinda lost here.... Thanks! Corey

 

[HyRax]

99% of what you read is unjustified rubbish. People had a bad experience with CVT's in other brands, so they label all brands' CVT's as bad without even having test driven them.

The simple reality is that Subaru would have ditched the CVT by now if it really was that bad, and buyers would have deserted Subaru years ago. The reality is that Subaru are selling more cars than ever despite slowly moving all models over to 100% CVT.

I've had my 2019 Outback for four years now, absolutely zero problems with my CVT, and I do throw this car around a lot. In fact, I'm absolutely smitten with how the technology works and how much fuel and extra acceleration power at the Traffic Light GP it has given me (since there's no gears to change).

Ignore the naysayers. Go and test drive the car yourself and decide if it's right for you.

The only true negative about Subaru ownership is that servicing costs are a little higher than other [edit: mainstream/common] brands.

 

[SilverOnyx]

...but servicing costs are much less than european brands, and at least in the USA because Subaru is so common I don't know if it's any higher than other Japanese brands.

 

[SilverOnyx]

Just to add some detail about the CVT - The 2020 and early 2021 Outback turbos have the TR690 that had some issues that were addressed by a revised transmission software and the new software was incorporated into production at some point in 2021.

Anyone else get this recall?

I know it’s been in the works for a while but looks like they’re moving forward with repairs. Recall Details 7/7/2022 POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive...

www.subaruoutback.org

The non-turbo TR580 transmission didn't have this issue.

There are a handful of 2021+ Outback turbo owners who are increasing boost for more torque and horsepower and so far the transmission has held just fine.

BMS JB4 'Piggyback' Tune for the 2.4T Outback(s)

After searching for available performance parts for the 2.4T, I learned that Burger Motorsports had the JB4 available for the ‘22+ WRX. I reached out and they replied that it would work with the 2.4T Outback as well. It is still in Beta format but I still went for it and placed my order. I...

www.subaruoutback.org

 

[hallux]

Also consider that people are much more likely to complain than praise. My 2.5 has been rock-solid so far, and my 2011 with the CVT was rock-solid before that...

 

[weldonjr2001]

90k on a 2013, 20k on a 2019, and currently 26k miles on a 2021, all 2.5s, and zero problems with the CVTs. I really like the CVT, at least Subaru’s version.

 

[EstimatingOutback]

Mom's 2012 has 165k+ on it (I blame her for me liking the outback ) and my 2020 has 37k on it. Both have 2.5's with the CVT. No signs of issue with hers or mine!

 

[Bassman]

We have had no problems whatsoever with the CVT in our 2021 2.5i Touring. With our 2011 OB Premium, we made it 97,000 miles before needing a torque converter, and that car (though we have now sold it) is running like a champ.

 

[crudzinskas]

The chances of getting a Subaru with a bad transmission are exceedingly low. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones that have an issue, the chances of you not having any issues fully taken care of under warranty are even lower. You don't hear people coming back on this forum to complain that their transmission failed at 105k+ miles. If they were out there, they would have found this place already lol! A lot of people like to have their car fully working after the warranty period after a having a few issues fixed, and then go on to sell right away because "how could I trust this anymore." And start the process over of having a brand new car with 10000 unique parts, one of which is likely not working 100% correctly. The vicious cycle continues.

A place like this has a lot of good, but definitely some bad information. Take with a grain of salt when people complain that their official Subaru Saxophone Holder was installed slightly crooked, or the outrage they felt when their Subaru got wet when they took it through the car wash, or (gasp!) the rear view mirror revealed to them an image of themself that they are not as beautiful as they were onced told!

Joking aside, Subaru has some of the best customer service in the industry. I would always recommend someone to at least consider a Subaru when looking for a new car. It might not have everything they need, but it certainly is a solid offering to consider.

 

[23WhiteOnyx]

Subaru CVT is one of the best CVTs out there. Metal chain and pulley.

 

[scoobydoo2]

To the OP…The CVT’s are not bad. We had our ‘11 Outback for almost 12 years, 255,000 km and zero transmission problems. Our ‘18 crosstrek has 133,000 km on it and zero tranny problems. i believe that our ‘22 Forester I believe will as reliable as well. Like anything mechanical, there are going to be those instances where there will be problems…as you mentioned with your VW’s. The main key is service, especially changing fluids on a regular basis. Remember…ther is no such thing as a lifetime fluid…in anything.

 

[stephenT]

Our '23 OBT is our third Subaru w/ CVT, no issues and I'd never go back to a slush box transmission.

 

[Noreastah]

Just had to go through the car process recently, as well as two other family members. I was coming from a 2011 Legacy (outback is the same, just higher up) and I knew i loved the ride, just wanted something with clearance - so, not a VW, but I can share my thoughts, as I too had the "should I put money into a newer car with a CVT" My things to consider:

1) All car models/brands have problems (CVT or Not) - go on consumer reports and read about it. Everyone has recalls and reliability issues. Nothing is perfect - not toyota or honda. You can look at the overall satisfaction of each vehicle plus the reliability percentage. Any new car you buy will come with a warranty. If you buy certified pre-owned you will get a 7yr/100Kmiles warranty and you can extend the bumper to bumper to match that for additional cost. Cost of ownership will vary between brands in the long run, but if you've got a german car, you're probably used to that. My Legacy "Wear and Tear" repairs cost the same as a Toyota sedan. Not sure about parts these days but with a new car, you shouldnt worry about that.

2) Test drive everything you are interested in. Try Subaru, Toyota - whatever other cars you are curious about. Love the car you drive. I'm used to the CVT and actually prefer the smoothness of the ride for long distances. The only other transmission I prefer over it would be a 6 cyl!!! I find 4 cylinders to whine too much for me and lag behind on shifting. Subaru's other cars are nice too. OB and Legacy are made in USA (of course the parts are Japanese). Forester, CT, etc. made fully in Japan.

3) Subaru give you the best price for what you get. The touring models are really nice. Hands down, subaru's AWD system, plus Xmode in all the vehicles, is amazing. If you need something with better AWD, nothing beats subaru (esp. with mpg, my opinion). If you don't need it and drive around towns and paved roads, other awd might be sufficient. For you to decide. I commute A LOT and I prefer the AWD all the time. Wish I had leather seats of the touring! The safety features are nice. Price wise - you can look at other brands/models - but subaru will still be best bang for buck. - AWD, Gas Mileage, Safety, Driving Comfort, Cargo Space.

4) Resale value is high for Subaru, so if you ever decide you don't want it anymore - you will have no issue selling it.

So, if you plan to keep the car for 20 years, then consider overall. At the end of the day, it's your opinion and how you feel about it. If you plan to keep it for 5 years and switch, I wouldn't even hesitate and go test drive it!

 

[subforx]

I have owned plenty of Subaru's and they have been fine with the CVT - I think it's more annoying issues like rain\water coming through the doors, squeaks etc... but they are rock solid in the bad weather, Quite safe and have decent resale value.

 

[Kybackpacker]

Wow.. Thanks for all the insightful replies. Lots of great information. Hopefully it helps others as well. 👍

 

[Markal]

I had a 2014 Forester with a CVT and traded it in with over 80,000 miles and never had a hint of an issue. I now have a ‘21 Outback XT and I drive it pretty hard (towing, off road, long mountain climbs) and no issues so far. I don’t always like how they drive, but my experience and the ratings from CR and others are quite good for reliability.

 

[thomasnewday]

Here is my Reliability report on 3 Outbacks:

2011 3.6R 230,000 Miles No Issues with the transmission or engine very rock solid and also saved my life from a drunk driver.
2015 2.5 Limited 147.565 Miles No issues at all except a bad lift gate motor replaced. No transmission issues whatsoever.
2021 2.5 Touring 49,000 miles and zero issues. Yes, I get the restart once in a while with apple car play but the mechanical wise has been solid.

I have had good long-term luck with my Subarus very reliable and has NO CVT bull **** issues you read about. People complain too much about a CVT just to complain.

Hope this helps.

 

[dubbyah]

You may not like how the CVT performs, but that's not really a quality or reliability issue. I've been driving my 4Runner exclusively for the last 2 months and when I get back home in a few weeks and begin driving the Subie again, I expect to hate the CVT for awhile until I learn to tolerate it again. Some folks seem to love it from day 1 and there are others who simply hate it. I'm somewhere in the middle and my next car probably wont have a CVT if at all possible.

 

[-dustin]

Had a 2012 2.5. 75k miles in less than 3 years. No issues. But I did not like how that 2.5 drove. I swore off of CVTs. Again, and to reiterate - zero mechanical issues. And that's with me ignoring oil change intervals.

2022 Wilderness? So much improved. Feels like a different animal, and the CVT doesn't bother me at all. I don't know what changed between them, but this is one of the better driving vehicles I've had.

 

[hallux]

I don't know what changed between them, but this is one of the better driving vehicles I've had.

Subaru added fake shift points, so it feels like a regular automatic. The 2012 didn't have that (my 2011 didn't) so it had a different feel. If you keep it below 2500-3000 RPM you won't feel those shift points, my 2.5 is that way anyway...