I will assume there are no warning lights lit on the instrument cluster?
Was the road smooth at the time the bang occurred?

The only thing I can think of at the moment that would make the bang is the center differential unlocking and locking up for some reason. When you take it to your go-to guy, have him scan all the modules for faults, check the battery output and the condition of the ground cable. This will give you an idea of any electrical issues that may be occurring that may affect the operation of the CVT and drivetrain. If nothing is found, then I'd check the front CV axles, wheel bearings, operation of the speed sensors and the suspension.

I'd also recommend you get the CVT fluid replaced since you are at a mileage where it's a good idea. Use only Subaru CVTF-II fluid. It's blue. The fluid you have in the CVT now is probably a brown color from age.

 

I will assume there are no warning lights lit on the instrument cluster?
Was the road smooth at the time the bang occurred?

The only thing I can think of at the moment that would make the bang is the center differential unlocking and locking up for some reason. When you take it to your go-to guy, have him scan all the modules for faults, check the battery output and the condition of the ground cable. This will give you an idea of any electrical issues that may be occurring that may affect the operation of the CVT and drivetrain. If nothing is found, then I'd check the front CV axles, wheel bearings, operation of the speed sensors and the suspension.

I'd also recommend you get the CVT fluid replaced since you are at a mileage where it's a good idea. Use only Subaru CVTF-II fluid. It's blue. The fluid you have in the CVT now is probably a brown color from age.

I have the same problem with my Subaru outback 2013 3.6R

 

thanks so much for that info. no warming lights on dash. car is riding normal. didn't think much of it when it first happened although it really startled me. I looked in my mirrors to see nothing on the road behind me. after the 2nd occurrence I'm thinking there's something going wrong! like I mentioned, not just the sound of a stone but a rock hitting the car. again, I appreciate your reply.. diane

 

One more thing, I replaced the battery a few weeks ago. starts and runs fine.

 

Had what might be a similar experience once, but I was turning in a parking lot (Toyota Camry). About 1/2 turn of the strut spring broke right at the bottom on one side. Car seemed to sit just fine. Only way I knew for sure was that I could turn the wheels, reach in and feel the loose piece in the bottom strut spring saddle. Regardless, I'd first suspect some sort of suspension issue in your case but then I didn't hear what you heard.

 

Had what might be a similar experience once, but I was turning in a parking lot (Toyota Camry). About 1/2 of the strut spring broke right at the bottom on one side. Car seemed to sit just fine. Only way I knew for sure was that I could turn the wheels, reach in and feel the loose piece in the bottom strut spring saddle. Regardless, I'd first suspect some sort of suspension issue in your case but then I didn't hear what you heard.

thanks for your info. diane

 

You're welcome. I edited my post because I think it didn't convey exactly what I meant. It was 1/2 of a turn of the coil, not 1/2 of the spring. I gave the car to my granddaughter who took it for a safety. The mechanic missed the defect, which points out just how normal the car sat in spite of it.

You might have a suspension piece that is shifting because of worn out bushings or the like thereof. Good luck and hope you solve your issue with minimal expense.

 

Double check the cable clamp connections. Alot of times the negative clamp doesn't clamp down good because it stretches a little. The black isolator on the negative clamp can be removed and the clamp will secure tighter.

 

happened twice in a week. 2014 outback 4 cyl. driving at about 45 mph and one LOUD bang on what sounded like driver's side towards front. car drove normal afterward, speed and control are fine. One bang, no residual noises. It was really loud like a rock (not a stone) hit my car. when I got to the mall, I walked all around the car expecting a dent somewhere, but nothing. car started back up fine, drove normal, no problems.

about 4 days later same thing. driving straight at about 45 and the one :LOUD bang, seemed like the same place. when I got to the recycle center, checked over the car for dents and saw nothing. drives normal, normal power and no residual noises after the bang.

car has 55k miles, just used for local driving. only problem I've ever had was burned=out headlights and tires with nail going flat.

wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I'm thinking of making appt with my subaru go=to guy, but he usually has a 2 week wait. I'd appreciate feedback so that I can go in with some knowledge. thanks all.

have appointment for my go=to subaru guy on Monday. As of yesterday, this noise has happened 4 times. One loud bang sounds like around the firewall on the driver's side. car still drives/starts/handles fine. One more thing I have noticed that when I drive down my road which is covered in modified stone, sound like a broken shock knocking sound in the driver's side front wheel. If anything is found, I'll report it. diane

 

My Subaru guy could not find anything wrong. of course it didn't happen during his test drive, but he could not find the problem. He said he thought something with the trans. is the problem but he won't know until it happens continuously or breaks down completely. by the way, this loud bang has happened 4 times total. still starts/drives/runs normal. I just don't want to get stuck on the road. UGHHHHH! no whoop-dee-doo for this Subaru!!!!!!

 

I have a 2020 Outback and am experiencing the same thing. A loud sound/bang coming from the right side. It just happens once it seems when the car is warming up and then doesn't happen again until the next time I drive. It's loud and sounds like I ran over a large plastic bottle or that a rock hit the door. No warnings, no problem with driving. Just that loud startling noise and then it drives fine, nothing else. I sure would like to know what is happening. The car has very little mileage. We have two Outbacks, a 2014 and a 2020. I love my Outbacks, but the noise worries me.

 

I have brought my 2014 to 3 different techs and they don't see anything wrong. Has not made this loud bang for several months now. My Subaru guy thought something with the trans/drive, but it drives/starts/runs fine. He said it may be that something has to fail badly or the sound has to happen all the time (of course it didn't happen for any of the techs) to find what it is. It bothers me a lot because a car doesn't make this sound without something being wrong. The first time this happened it really frightened me. any time it happened I was driving at less than 50 miles an hour, going straight, not overly accelerating. I'll bet Subaru has heard of this happening before but chooses to stay silent about what it is!!!!

 

I do not in the least want to make light of your concerns -- not at all! -- but as a former resident of Chicago (also known unaffectionately as Chi-raq), I can't resist commenting that driving there and hearing loud bangs often has nothing to do with your car.

 

Most likely you ran over something in the road that kicked up and hit the underside of the car. You won't find a dent on the side of the car and only a very close inspection of the underside may reveal something.
Carry on.

 

@andriymelnyk198 My 2015 Outback just got exactly the same issue currently. However, it happens more frequently from 2 times to 4 5 times each ride. It only happens when driving under 45 mph and disappear on higher speed. I also could hear the sound clearly on the front right side of the engine, when shutting off the engine, it makes one time bang sound. Did you find what the cause and resolve that issue?

 

@Nopandriymelnyk198 My 2015 Outback just got exactly the same issue currently. However, it happens more frequently from 2 times to 4 5 times each ride. It only happens when driving under 45 mph and disappear on higher speed. I also could hear the sound clearly on the front right side of the engine, when shutting off the engine, it makes one time bang sound. Did you find what the cause and resolve that issue?

Nope, I don`t know what to do, my friend he`s mechanic advised me, to clean all electrical ground joints, on the transmission, and engine. I`m going to do it, but for almost 4 weeks I didn`t have any problem with the car. It disappeared for now. If something comes up I`ll let you know guys.

 

happened twice in a week. 2014 outback 4 cyl. driving at about 45 mph and one LOUD bang on what sounded like driver's side towards front.

What you are experiencing sounds something like happens with my ‘12 2.5 Premium. It happens infrequently, but always seems to happen in the same location, a particular street and only there. It’s been happening for years but I’ve suffered no breakdowns. I figure it has something to do with the drivetrain.

When coming to a stop at the sign to turn on a main street in town, I get a single, loud pop/snap/bang sound (the sound is akin to any of the three, not all three at once); and it seems to come from under the car somewhere on the driver side just ahead of where I’m sitting. I’m braking lightly as I’m conservative in braking. The stop sign is near my elderly mother’s apartment complex. Exiting her complex involves driving up a short, steep hill to street level, a turn to the right, then driving a quarter mile over a level street to the stop sign. I’m thinking the extra forces in climbing while turning right, leveling out then stopping are contributing factors. As I’m stopping, I’m also starting to turn my wheels to the right as I stop at the stop sign.

Many times, but not all, I get the sound. And it only occurs at that stop sign. My OB has just over 133,800 trouble free miles with no repairs.

 

I have the same problem too, giving me headaches, have you guys resolve it? Thanks

 

Yes I just experienced it. I haven’t read further but I am concerned.