Does A Cvt Transmission Have A Filter

Subaru Forester CVT Manual Bug: Explained

If you're thinking of ownership a Subaru Forester, it's likely due to its strong reliability ratings. In most cases, you'll become many years of dependable service out of a Forester. Yet, it can have some issues arise, especially with its CVT transmission.

What issues has the Subaru Forester had with its CVT transmission?

Valve body solenoid locks upwards
The manual suddenly shifts out of gear
Sudden unexpected acceleration
Reverse gear does not engage
Brake light switch issue causes loss of power

Green 2020 Subaru Forester From Passenger Side

In this piece, we'll look over all of these CVT manual issues and many more. You tin use this data to brand an intelligent decision when shopping for your next vehicle.

What You Demand to Know well-nigh the Subaru Forester CVT Transmission

With the introduction of the fourth generation of the Subaru Forester, the vehicle came equipped with Subaru'south Lineartronic CVT transmission, a continuous variable transmission (CVT).

Lineartronic CVT transmissions use two graduated pulleys with a pair of cone-faced plates on each one. When the plates shift away from each other, it changes the diameter of each gear. Too as the overall gear ratio.

This setup allows the manual to operate at the same rotations per infinitesimal from the engine while irresolute the gear ratio to speed upwards or deadening down the vehicle.

This blazon of transmission tends to be more than efficient by fugitive the accelerate-shift pattern in many traditional manual systems. Nevertheless, it has not been without its issues during evolution and real-world usage, including its usage in Subaru Foresters from the 2014 model year onward.

Mutual Subaru Forester CVT Transmission Bug

CVT Transmission Valve Torso Solenoid Locked Up

Subaru offers coverage upwards to 100,000 miles for their CVT transmissions, a common cutoff for many manufacturers. Nevertheless, when the customer's valve body solenoid failed and locked up, the transmission, which Subaru claimed never needed service, had dark, thick, dirty transmission fluid inside. The transmission had to be replaced in this case.

Transmission Failure Causes Car to not Turn off

Car Transmission Closeup

Though yous'd expect a vehicle to plough off when the key or power button is exercised, in this case, a faulty manual kept the car from shutting off. The owner had to pull the bombardment to stop the car from running, even though the manual was not engaged. A local mechanic said it was an upshot with the manual failing and that it needed to exist replaced.

Transmission Suddenly Shifts out of Gear

In both instances of this problem, the commuter was going at about 75 mph with cruise command on when the transmission suddenly shifted out of gear. This caused the engine rpms to spike and the vehicle to rapidly decelerate every bit if it had been unexpectedly put in Neutral.

In i instance, this problem well-nigh caused an accident every bit a tailgater did not expect the sudden change of speed.

Sudden Unexpected Acceleration

In several instances, the Subaru Forester'south CVT manual seems to advance, either continuously or in phases, causing problems with controlling the vehicle.

In one example, it caused the commuter to crash through a automobile wash garage door. In some instances, the vehicle will shudder, going between near-stalling and high-acceleration states, making it difficult to look how speedily it will take off.

Contrary Gear Doesn't Appoint

On several occasions, when put into reverse, the Forester doesn't actually engage the reverse gear. This can cause serious issues when trying to back into a parking space on busy streets, including accidents.

When reported, it happens both on apartment basis too as on slight downhill grades, simply even with several trips to dealerships, finding the crusade of the problem remains difficult.

Failure of Brake Switch Causes Power Loss

In at least a couple of instances, a faulty brake switch causes the Subaru Forester's manual to leave of gear, causing a sudden loss of ability and in some cases, rapid deceleration.

In some situations, the loss of ability was complete, similar to shifting into neutral, while in other situations, information technology limits the vehicle'due south ability, putting information technology into a "limp mode" whereby it can exist driven at deadening speeds to reach safety.

Vehicle Shudder, Left Veer Linked to Faulty Transmission

You'd expect a shudder in your vehicle that causes it to veer left to exist linked to either the intermission or engine, but in this instance, it was the transmission at mistake.

At normal highway speeds, the vehicle began to shudder and veer to the left, while power was lost as though the vehicle has shifted to neutral. Upon inspection, it was determined that the vehicle's manual had failed and required replacement.

Vehicle Fails to Apace Accelerate

When in stop-and-go traffic situations, the Subaru Forester may have issues with accelerating quickly, causing bug with hesitation that could atomic number 82 to a traffic accident.

Linked to this situation is slipping in the CVT manual, where the vehicle has bug going from contrary to drive, causing significant problems when trying to maneuver the vehicle in tight spaces.

Short Overall CVT Manual Lifespan

In several cases, the Subaru Forester'southward CVT transmission fails well before its warranty has expired, including failures and issues sometimes arising equally early as 10,000 miles, in several instances within xx,000 to 40,000 miles, and in many cases before the 100,000-mile warranty has expired or very shortly afterward.

This caused Subaru to event an extension on the warranty; however, dealership scheduling issues caused at least i owner to have to come in after the extension expired.

All vehicles take some problems, so don't write off the Subaru Forester just considering of these issues. The extended warranty offered by Subaru to help handle these issues volition encompass many potential bug.

Owner Reviews

Scott P on March 5, 2022

2015 Forester CVT failures

Bought used, and right at 115,548 miles, the "Christmas tree" of nuance lights occurred and the CVT was washed. Valve body supplant (gasket, o-rings & fluid as well) - $1523 USD at the dealership. Motorcar ran fine for 3,476 miles, when started to milkshake very crude at idle. P0841 and P0700 codes. Electric continuity cheque found green/white wire to primary connector atop transmission was not fastened to connector. Re-fastened to connector, drove fine. At 145,000 miles, automobile would rev to half dozen,000 RPM with little acceleration on occasion, nearly causing accidents on interstate hwy. At 145,060 miles, car was moving on local road when all drive failed, contrary failed and "Christmas tree" on dash lit up. Towed home. Program to light on fire and roast hot dogs on car this weekend.

Gary on November 11, 2021

Owner of 2014 Forester Premium

At 130,000 miles the "Xmas lights" went on without alert. That is, the A/T Oil Temp, the CEL, the ABS and two more. Machine collection and shifted just fine on 25 mile drive to dealer. The Subaru dealer diagnosed the codes and says it needs a new manual valve torso and new seals for the Trans oil pan, which is seeping/leaking. Cost is $2500. There is no A/T oil dipstick to check fluid level. Subaru manual says no maintenance needed.

Gina L on Feb 7, 2022

Blinking lights

My 2014 Forester panel's blinking lights (ABS, oil temp, hill assist, traction control) kept coming on. My oil was fine and the motorcar was running fine. Took it in, the Subaru tech determined a Valve Body replacement was needed with a $2200 estimate. Would an extended warranty be worth information technology now before I get the work done? I do want to continue the motorcar for my teenager (when I get an electric Subaru)?

Jim Lotfi on July viii, 2021

Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Replacement

I take a Subaru Forester 2015 with 195000 miles. Check Engine light and all other lights lit on the screen. Diagnostics shows that Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid must be replaced. Unfortunately Subaru does non sell that role, instead the Valve Trunk must be replaced. The price of the office is$810.00. I think it will price me almost $1400.00!

AJ on December 19, 2021

2020 Forester CVT Failed

My 2020 Subaru Forester is a great car EXCEPT the CVT transmission. At sixteen,000 miles I started having bug with stalling, turns out the Dealer found the CVT the problem and so replaced it under Warranty. Now I don't trust this car because I'g wondering when the CVT will neglect once more. I'm told its just a thing of time, someday.

J Southward jr on September ten, 2021

Shudder

We have a 2020 Forester Sport with increasingly frequent shudder events. Under calorie-free throttle and incline with more than than 2 passengers information technology is worse. No dash lights to bespeak an issue. Going to go it to the dealer soon. Hopefully they can updat the transmission shift computer.

Cathleen 5

Cathleen 5 is an infrequent freelance author roofing hot topics in the automotive globe from a gearhead's perspective. Whether information technology'due south the Mercedes-Benz A-class economic system and Jeep ruggedness to Challenger Hellcat and Tesla semi capabilities, you lot'll discover outstanding intel and research.