Simple transmission fix?

Asked by Randy Oct 25, 2021 at 05:53 PM about the 2011 Subaru Outback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Looking to purchase a 2011 outback 2.5l and
seems to have a transmission issue. Owner says
"When it’s cold it shifts fine but when the oil get hot
it skips at some times." Hopefully a simple fix.
Looking for advice!! Thank you.

2 Answers

155,715

Don't buy it!! The person is selling it because they know it needs work. If it was a simple and cheap fix they wouldn't be selling it! Transmission problems are never simple, easy, or cheap! Sounds to me like the pump is failing. It works fine when the transmission fluid is cold and thick, but when the fluid warms up and thins out the pump can't maintain pressure and the problems appear. Keep shopping!! Hope that helps! Jim

920

I disagree re the source of the at-temp intermittence. It's probably a valve body solenoid that's electrically intermittent due to a poor solder joint. Repair is to replace the valve body ($700 + 2hrs labor), but the bigger problem is that the CVT's bearrings will fail over time, requiring a complete trans replacement. Therefore I suggest NEVER buying 2010-2014 CVTs unless already replaced.

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