2011 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 28%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Subaru Legacy, 28% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving my vehicle on a highway once reaching the acceleration speed of 65-75 the car sounds as if the gears are slipping and squeal once it kicks in. Stopped at dealership on our way back to our home state. They tested and recommended replacing the CVT. This apparently had an extended warranty in 2017. Will my car still be covered. We have 113k on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11318813, filed 2020-03, 113,243 miles“Engine shudders and stalls while breaking due to torque converter/transmission issues with the CVT transmission. This is a serious safety issue! Subaru refuse to repair my car saying that I had just missed the extended warranty period that they told no one about.”
NHTSA complaint #11130251, filed 2018-09, 132,000 miles“My torque converter is locking up under breaking/coming to a stop and the engine shutters and shuts down. When the vehicle is in motion, the problem occurs upon stopping or slowing down rapidly to a slow crawl (I.e. Less than 5 MPH). This issue is very repeatable and causes delay if you are trying to move out of the way of oncoming vehicles or emergency vehicles in the case of a highway backup, etc. I have read forums where several other Subaru owners are experiencing the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958006, filed 2017-03, 100,000 miles“Upon stopping at intersections or sudden braking anywhere, the downshift causes the engine to shudder and stall. It has happened downtown at several busy intersections with vehicles coming to a stop behind me. The vehicle then needs to be put in park and restarted in the intersection. This issue matches service bulletin 16-90-13r. I have attached a write up from a dealership after diagnosing my car. The problem cited is a faulty torque converter clutch solenoid and valve body.”
NHTSA complaint #10899027, filed 2016-08, 122,000 miles“The torque converter needs to be replaced. The car was bought brand new 6 years ago. It stalled within the first few months of ownership it stalled at a stop light twice. We were stood the gas cape needed to be put on tighter and it was a sensor issue. Now 122 thousand miles later it has started doing the same thing and I have been told it is the torque converter. Dealership wants 1700 dollars. I found a bulletin. Dated 2014 that says this is a design flaw and Subaru is responsible for repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10956381, filed 2017-02, 122,200 milesRelated recalls
- 10V326000Jul 20, 2010Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2010–2011, Outback 2010–2011
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10243369Sep 11, 2023This bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine RPM when coming to a stop.
- 10232240Feb 28, 2023This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed.
- 10202815Oct 27, 2021This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 10198765Jun 23, 2021This bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs.
- 10187317Feb 1, 2021In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2011 Subaru Legacy
25 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology