So, where's the evidence that this applies to 2018 model as well? Did anybody receive any letters stating so?

 

So, where's the evidence that this applies to 2018 model as well?

One more time: See TSB 16-117-18 (10/9/18). Letters normally go out within a month of the TSB issuance.

 

Certainly a lot of people looking to build a mountain out of a mole hole.

Out of 1.5 million Subaru CVT vehicles in question there have been a 100 complaints to the NHTSA. A minuscule percentage.

 

Complaints to the NHTSA is not indicative of how many have actually failed. I suspect most who have replaced their CVT didn't file an NHTSA complaint.

Would most likely be a much simpler transmission if they built it without the fake shift points and let the CVT work as a CVT.

Agreed, and they should have just made it that way from the get-go.

 

NHTSA reports are a reference source but not indicative of a percentage or an all-inclusive list of CVTs with problems.


Mine was replaced last week. I never complained to the NHTSA.

 

Reliability: Reliability is the likelihood that a product will not fail within a specific time period. This is a key element for users who need the product to work without fail...

So it is likely Subaru believes its CVTs will not fail in the first 100K/10 years


Durability: Durability measures the length of a product’s life. When the product can be repaired, estimating durability is more complicated. The item will be used until it is no longer economical to operate it. This happens when the repair rate and the associated costs increase significantly.

Some owners have the expectation that their cars will be economical to operate and have no major powertrain failures for up to 200k miles. Automakers sometimes assert this aswell. With regards to the current generation of Outbacks/Legacy- the jury is still out. It is unclear they are designed for that level of durability. We do know that routine preventative maintenance, timely repairs when needed, owner vigilance and not over stressing components all help.

What I like about Subaru is their commitment to building safe vehicles. Durability in my mind is an open issue.

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If the title of this thread is correct, then please change the original post. If the title is incorrect, than change the title. I should not have to read through 205 posts to makes sense of the title.

 

Not changing anything.

 

Here's what my son, a master Subie tech with many years of experience said yesterday when I told him my 2018 Outback now has a warranty extension on its CVT.

"I've seen some valve bodies go bad and torque converters getting stuck locked. Not in your year though, yet. Still the most reliable cvt's out there."

That's info from a reliable source I would trust.

 

Is it okay to ask why the admin want to place discussion of symptoms of CVT issues under announcement of the CVT warranty?

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Seems related to me.

 

This is an interesting topic. I was always told anecdotally that warranty extension was a method to avoid class action down the road (pun intended).

 

If the 2018's are covered (2.5 and 3.6), then this extension is a plus for me. No way I'm hitting 100k in 10 years, and by 2028, what, exactly, is a car will have changed so much that it will likely be time to move on to the next vehicle.

 

Subaru America states: CVT TSB 16-117-18 (dated 10/9/18) applies to 2018 Outbacks

In response to the forum members seeking an authoritative answer to the question does the TSB 16-117-18 apply to 2018 Subaru Outbacks? - the answer is YES.

Per a personal contact/inquiry with Subaru America Customer/Retailer Services Department, I received the following reply today, Oct 18, 2018:

"Re. Does CVT TSB 16-117-18 (dated 10/9/18) apply to 2018 Outbacks?

Yes, this TSB applies to the 2018 Outback models and the Powertrain Warranty is extended to 10 years/100,000 miles for CVT concerns.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Sincerely,

Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Retailer Services Department
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)"

 

In response to the forum members seeking an authoritative answer to the question does the TSB 16-117-18 apply to 2018 Subaru Outbacks? - the answer is YES.

Per a personal contact/inquiry with Subaru America Customer/Retailer Services Department, I received the following reply today, Oct 18, 2018:

"Re. Does CVT TSB 16-117-18 (dated 10/9/18) apply to 2018 Outbacks?

Yes, this TSB applies to the 2018 Outback models and the Powertrain Warranty is extended to 10 years/100,000 miles for CVT concerns.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Sincerely,

Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Retailer Services Department
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)"

Thanks! But this information should be edited into the original post. This thread is 229 posts long. People must go through 229 posts to get to your post.

 

Today, I received my letter of inclusion for the extension of the warranty for my 2018's CVT. I don't really care what their motive was. The effect for me as the consumer is piece of mind. A tranny is an expensive repair issue. Now, if something ever goes wrong, it's nice to know that it is fully warrantied and that I'll have no out of pocket costs for 10 years / the duration of ownership (I can't see myself owning it past 10 years). I have no idea if there is a legal benefit to this as others have suggested, but I see it as a proactive and wise move on SOA's part. They have both taken the issue off the table as a concern for 99% of their customers (there are always those overly concerned/anal types who post here: "I heard there may be a CVT issue, do you think I should trade in or sell my car now?" :1pat: Haha! While showing they have enough confidence to put their money where their mouth is. Good stuff! I have owned many brands. One of my (many) knucklehead purchases in the past was an LR Discovery. You actually knew what would fail next (if you belonged to the forum) based on other peoples failures in their vehicles. Do you think LR ever proactively covered anything? Nope. They just didn't give a sh*t. So bottom line - I'm keeping my Outback. No real issues thus far. It does what I ask it to & if in the future, there *is* a CVT issue, I'm not concerned - I'm on the list! It will be taken care of under warranty. Happy camper

 

I have a few thoughts on the CVT extended warranty. I appreciate that it's offered but I'll hit 100k far before the ten years are up so that's a concern. And more important to me is that it's Subarus admission that this pos CVT may strand you at any time, with little warning, and inconvenience me big time. If it fails on me I'll probably get rid of it after the repair and buy another brand. Yeah yeah sure other brands have some issues too but this admission by Subaru does little for my confidence.

 

In your situation, you should sell now.

 

How are folks servicing their transmission fluid? The guide I am looking at says to INSPECT every 30k miles. To a shop, that means they will inspect (maybe) and probably never change. I have not gotten to 30k yet in my OB. However, the transimission fluid in my Ford Escape is significantly easier to change than the engine oil. Hopefully, the OB transmission fluid is that easy. I will be bypassing inspection and going straight to changing transmission fluid at 30k miles. If you wait too long to change transmission fluid, I have read you should NOT change the transmission fluid at all. There are articles and videos that explain why.

 

If I decide to keep this I'll do a CVT fluid replacement at 30K. I'll also do the front diff at 20k and the rear diff at 10k. I've pulled enough slurry off the rear diff plugs of other Subarus I've owned at 10k to justify changing it that early. As to the front diff, I miss having a dipstick.

 

He called me chump. It is OK. I thought it was pretty funny. I was ribbing him.

 

Maybe I'm just starting to see one of those CVT issues popping up at 46k miles. I just did an oil change and after some routine inspections, I can see that the front section of the transmission pan, up front from the drain plug is all wet with oil. Can't tell where it's ultimately coming from and none has leaked on the floor yet.

I see a bunch of posts about this issue with the 3.6, but I did a search and haven't seen the issue mentioned regarding the 2.5. I'll keep searching. Pretty disappointed with all the issues I've had with the car so far. If anyone knows of a thread about this issue with the 2.5, I'd appreciate a link.

Andy

 

Does anyone know just what the symptoms or problems are with these CVT's?

 

Ha!!! Be prepared for crickets...

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I just read all 25 pages and it's mostly bickering and speculating about why they extended the warranty.

If it helps other people, here is what I copied to my car notes word doc:

- Gen 2 CVT (TR580) paired with the 2.5 engine for 2018 model
Potential symptoms to watch for:
- Chirp sound when shifting from park to drive, more likely when at high idle. Sound might be due to low oil? Some people said chirp gets louder with time.
- Oil at the back of the CVT that was also on the underside of the splash shield. Cause might be leak coming from the pump cover housing. High leak above the CVT fill point. It was weeping down the passenger side of the CVT and there was oil on the topside of the plastic shield. This might only apply to 3.6 models?
- Thunk sound when stopped
- Odd noises associated with hesitation during acceleration: humming noises, vibrations
- Forum poster’s son, master Subaru tech said: “Seen some valve bodies go bad and torque converters getting stuck locked. Not on 2018s yet. Still the most reliable cvt out there.”
- Subaru techs are only allowed by SOA to replace seals at the front of the transmission and to reseal the pump cover with better silicone but all other leaks or issues, even if fixable by the dealer, are not to be touched because SOA wants the transmissions back for analysis and you get a new tranny.
- 4th gen had issues with torque convertors and they improved them for 5th gen

 

- Oil at the back of the CVT that was also on the underside of the splash shield. Cause might be leak coming from the pump cover housing. High leak above the CVT fill point. It was weeping down the passenger side of the CVT and there was oil on the topside of the plastic shield. This might only apply to 3.6 models?

This was the symptom on our 2016 Outback 2.5i. The leak started right after 30k miles and I thought it was engine oil from the pan or drain bolt. At the 35k oil change I noticed it was coming from higher up. Subaru techs diagnosed it as a leak coming from the trans pump cover. They had to drop the engine to access it, replace some seals, and redo the cover gasket. They didn't add or replace any CVT fluid according to the invoice. After the service I can't say I noticed any real difference other than it seems to run a little smoother. Although that perceived difference could have been because I hadn't driven the car for the 4 days it was at the dealership.

 

Just had my CVT replaced under the extended dwarranty. Two weeks past the 5 yr warranty and 43,000 mi. It was doing a slamming sound when accelerating,sort of like hitting big potholes. Works fine now.

 

Bought a used 2015 outback 2.5l last year with 98k on it . Just rolled through 100k a month ago and have a heavy shudder in the cvt at low rpm . From what I have been reading I am not looking forward to the bill after a likely replacement of the CVT. Bummer .
We have owned an Impreza, Impreza WRX, earlier gen outback and the 2015 outback which we thought we loved. Not too happy at the moment with an issue they still seem to have on newer models. Even with the 100k extended on the cvt , it does not encourage us to stick with Subarus as the all have the cvt.

 

Shudder on acceleration or idle? Has the CVT fluid ever been changed? 100K is a long time on the original CVT fluid.

 

That's why I don't mess with high mileage used cars - who knows how that vehicle was treated. Wouldn't be surprised if it's been filled with aftermarket CVTF - I'd get it to a dealer or Subaru specialist, may only need a flush with the OE fluid.

Anyway, based on the vast majority of posts around here, I'm getting the impression that folks typically get closer to 200k with these CVTs, at a minimum.

 

That's why I don't mess with high mileage used cars - who knows how that vehicle was treated. Wouldn't be surprised if it's been filled with aftermarket CVTF - I'd get it to a dealer or Subaru specialist, may only need a flush with the OE fluid.

Anyway, based on the vast majority of posts around here, I'm getting the impression that folks typically get closer to 200k with these CVTs, at a minimum.

I hear you. Its was\is a sweet car and a Subaru, from a dealer. With a teenager ready to start driving we dumped the ailing '03 outback and were happy to jump right in .

 

I just pinned this thread. (never pinned / stuck. so forgotten about )

please bump / mention me if you see any TSB / important things in other CVT threads for this period of cars.
(still some out there with less than 100,000 miles).

 

(still some out there with less than 100,000 miles)

<raises hand> Mom's 2017 here just over 43k. Haven't seen leaks, but sometimes get the "bumping" described in the TSB. Will be heading to Subaru dealer in a week or so for inspection and, at a minimum, fluid change.