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Subaru transmission problems

Owners have filed 3,150 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on Subaru vehicles — 100% of everything reported about the brand, across 26 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Subaru Outback, worst in 2011.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

3,150

Complaints

100%

Share of all Subaru complaints

131

Crashes

28

Fires

Which Subaru models have the most transmission problems

Outback 991 31.5%

Worst in 2011

Forester 566 18.0%

Worst in 2015

Legacy 378 12.0%

Worst in 2010

Impreza 306 9.7%

Worst in 2008

SVX 276 8.8%

Worst in 1992

Ascent 185 5.9%

Worst in 2019

WRX 179 5.7%

Worst in 2008

Crosstrek 115 3.7%

Worst in 2019

XV Crosstrek 53 1.7%

Worst in 2013

Worst Subaru model years for transmission problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
1992 Subaru SVX 224 74% 112,655 F
2011 Subaru Outback 216 25% 114,000 C
2012 Subaru Outback 107 29% 101,000 D
2015 Subaru Forester 95 11% 51,099 C
2010 Subaru Outback 94 20% 94,000 C
2019 Subaru Ascent 88 16% 17,231 B
2008 Subaru Impreza 60 24% 69,000 C
2013 Subaru Outback 59 14% 95,426 B
2020 Subaru Ascent 58 14% 22,500 B
2010 Subaru Legacy 50 23% 100,000 D
2016 Subaru Forester 50 8% 44,000 C
2008 Subaru WRX 49 41% 70,000 F
2011 Subaru Legacy 47 20% 115,000 C
2017 Subaru Outback 47 4% 27,000 A
2020 Subaru Outback 47 4% 23,000 A
2016 Subaru Outback 45 6% 35,021 B
2000 Subaru Outback 44 18% 58,250 C
2017 Subaru Forester 44 5% 33,400 A
2014 Subaru Forester 41 7% 64,611 D
2019 Subaru Forester 39 4% 17,500 C

Other Subaru problems

Transmission problems on other brands