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Autotrader explains the term CVT stands for continuously variable transmission. 2020 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Subaru Forester. 2020 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Grand Cherokee Compared.

A growing number of automobile manufacturers are looking at how the presence of a continuously variable transmission can improve the performance of a vehicle, including sport utility models, instead of equipping a conventional automatic. This technology has been available in some passenger cars since 1989, but it is still an option that is new to some makes and models.

The Subaru continuously variable transmission (CVT) works hard to push the limits of what is possible with automatic shifting. Drivers receive the benefit of being able to point-and-steer while driving without worrying about a clutch or what gear they happen to be in while on the road. It will continuously transition between the lower and higher gear ratios to ensure that you can maximize your fuel economy without reducing the amount of power that is available during acceleration.

1. Subaru Corporation is offering consumers an extended warranty on the continuously variable transmission (CVT) on approximately 1.5 million vehicles after concerns were raised about transmission problems that may cause the vehicle to stall on model year 2012-2017 vehicles.
2. Lineartronic ® CVT Transmission In Automatic Mode, the Lineartronic ® CVT adjusts instantly to match your acceleration, eliminating the need to shift and preserving the vehicle's momentum — often lost with conventional automatic transmissions.
3. Subaru Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission: Not just a lot of syllables - it's the future of the Automatic Transmission. Designed both for maximu.

Most automatic transmissions require you to lose some of the vehicle’s momentum when you are driving, but that is not the case with the Subaru CVT. You will receive this technology standard on several models, including the Legacy and Outback. It is available for the Impreza, Forester, and XV Crosstrek as well. The WRX offers a sport version of the CVT which offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages to consider.

If you are in the market for a new vehicle and are thinking about purchasing a Subaru, then here are the pros and cons of their continuously variable transmission to consider.

List of the Pros of a Subaru CVT Transmission

1. CVT technologies offer high levels of fuel efficiency to the driver.
The most significant benefit of the Subaru CVT technology is that it offers a much higher level of efficiency to the driver. Vehicles which offer this technology are often rated as one of the most fuel-=efficient vehicles in their class. It is not unusual for the mid-sized sedans that Subaru equips with this technology to achieve at least 38 miles per gallon on the highway. Although most hybrid automakers equip CVTs to their vehicles today, the added benefit of not losing momentum with this particular technology gives it a significant advantage to those who rank performance as one of their top objectives.

2. Drivers receive more responsiveness from their vehicle going up a hill.
If you live somewhere that requires driving up a steep incline regularly, then you are going to appreciate what this technology can provide for your Subaru. With the continuously variable transmission, you will discover that this technology can quickly find the exact ratio that is required to provide power while driving without the need to shift. The standard automatic design for transmission can sometimes struggle in this situation when there is a heavy load.

The reason for this benefit is that the Subaru CVT transmission provides you with an unlimited number of gear ratios. Because there are infinite options available to you, it becomes easier to maintain a steady cruising speed without experiencing a loss of momentum. Your engine will always be in its optimum range for power.

3. It can offer a smoother ride to all of the vehicle’s passengers.
Have you ever sat in a vehicle that was struggling to find the correct gear to use when the driver was navigating an incline or trying to pass someone quickly? Those rapid shifts can create a lurching sensation that can sometimes even cause an injury if the movement is sudden and severe. Thanks to Subaru’s CVT technology, you will receive a smoother ride because the shifts are seamless in almost every situation. That means there is more subtlety to the shifting mechanism as you are driving, which creates a better experience for everyone.

4. There are fewer operational parts to worry about in the Subaru CVT.
When you compare the total number of mechanical parts in the Subaru CVT transmission compared to the planetary-gearset design, you will find that there is a simpler construction available to you as a driver. The box uses a series of adjustable conical pulleys that connect via a steel chain or belt. Depending on the speed that you drive, the sides move toward or away from one another, passing the chain into grooves that form between them. Although there are stories of the CVT wearing out in less than 60,000 miles, the simplistic design usually tends to have things go wrong less often.

5. The CVT weighs less than a conventional transmission.
Because there are fewer parts involved in the construction of the continuously variable transmission from Subaru, the weight of the product is often lighter than it would be if a traditional one was installed on the vehicle. The CVT is also more compact than the traditional design, providing more space to develop other systems when desired. Thanks to the lower weight requirements, the powertrain doesn’t need to work as hard. That means you receive a secondary bump in your fuel economy that goes beyond what you receive when you are in the correct gear consistently.

List of the Cons of a Subaru CVT Transmission

1. The cost to replace a Subaru CVT can be quite high.
The most significant disadvantage the drivers face with a continuously variable transmission is that this component tends to fail more often compared to other transmission technologies that are employed on non-hybrid vehicles. Many of the units can last for about 100,000 miles before they require a replacement. The overall cost for the average CVT is already between $3,000 to $5,000 to get your vehicle back on the road.

Subaru transmissions are even more expensive. Entry-level pricing for the equipment is just under $6,000. When you add in the labor required to take off the old one to replace it with the new option, the cost can be higher than $8,000. If you are outside of your warranty period, then that price makes it a temptation to purchase a new vehicle instead.

2. It does not stand up to high-performance situations.
The continuously variable transmission from Subaru does not withstand the horsepower that the older manual or automatic designs could offer. That is why you will see lower HP ratings on the vehicles which use this technology. Although that means you have a more fuel-efficient design to use that can reduce emission levels, you are also equipped with less acceleration and pulling power with your vehicle. If you look at the specs of the Subaru CVT for most models, you can tow about 1,000 pounds. For some owners, that may not meet their overall needs.

It is essential to remember that when you purchase a Subaru with a CVT, your vehicle is focused more on practicality than sportiness. Driving one is about the complete opposite of “fun” for most drivers who get behind the wheel.

3. Rebuilds are almost impossible with the Subaru CVT transmission.
Approximately 90% of the CVTs equipped to Subaru models require a complete replacement instead of a rebuild. This disadvantage occurs because the damage that happens to the transmission is so extensive that it is not even worth attempting to rebuild it as a way to save some money on this repair. Even when a rebuild is possible with this technology, owners often find that the parts for it are still exceptionally expensive and often difficult to locate.

4. The sound of a CVT is bothersome to a majority of drivers.
If you have never driven with a continuously variable transmission in the past, then the sounds that this technology makes are going to be a shock at first. They are programmed in a way that makes some drivers believe that they are not working properly. Although the sound isn’t as bad as a manual transmission being forced into gear, the audio coming from underneath the seat can make it seem like the vehicle is not performing as it should.

5. The Subaru CVT can sometimes hang at the higher RMP.
Even when there are simulated stepped gears programmed into the CVT, there are times when the transmission will hang or pause at the top of your RPM spectrum. This issue often occurs when you are climbing a steep ascent at a high rate of speed, like climbing a mountain pass while driving on an interstate highway. Even if you release the accelerator pedal, the gears need time to wind down from where they were performing, which can lock you into the higher RPM for more than a couple of seconds. Then the response to the need to accelerate again can be delayed.

6. The costs of transmission fluid are higher with the CVT design.
One of the easiest ways to ensure that your CVT can operate efficiently over a long time is to have the transmission fluid changes according to the schedule provided by Subaru. Having this service performed at your dealership can be as high as $250, especially if you are replacing the filter and pan. If you put off this service, then many of the issues that can cause a premature breakdown of the transmission become more likely. That includes valve body wear, damaged pulleys, and overheating.

Most drivers will also need to visit a trusted mechanic or their dealership to have their fluid checked, which can be a costly service as well.

7. Trying to pass someone with the Subaru CVT can be challenging.
You need to time your passes when driving with this continuously variable transmission carefully because there is no guarantee that you will receive a jump into a higher RPM range for acceleration. If you are trying to perform a quick pass on a two-lane road with another driver coming from the opposite direction, you will discover that the speed you receive is often less than sporty. You will want to give yourself a little extra time to complete the pass to ensure that you can get back in your lane safely.

The pros and cons of the Subaru CVT transmission show us that it is possible to reduce emissions without robbing a vehicle of its overall performance to an extreme level. Although there are some adjustments that you will need to make for this to be a successful experience, the primary concern always involves cost. Although the upkeep and running costs are traditionally low, replacement costs are 50% higher than what you would pay for a traditional option.

Subaru is the 22nd largest auto manufacturer in the entire world. That may not seem like much, but that means that they still produce millions of vehicles every single year. They've become popular because their cars are affordable and sporty, and many have all-wheel drive capabilities that are appealing to a certain subsection of drivers. Subaru vehicles are also outfitted with something called CVT or continuously variable transmission. Some drivers swear by this kind of transmission while others prefer the older automatic or manual transmissions. Regardless of your position on CVT vs standard transmissions, there have been some issues with Subaru in the CVT over the years.

What Does CVT Transmission Mean?

Continuously variable transmission is actually a kind of automatic transmission. Unlike typical automatic transmission however CVT is supposed to provide a seamless transition through the different years as opposed to a step-by-step process that automatic transmission gives you.

Manual transmission works by you taking hold of a gear shifter and putting your car in the specific gear that you want it to be in. Automatic transmission, on the other hand, is able to change gears at the appropriate time based on the RPMs of your engine as you increase or decrease acceleration when you're driving. It still goes through gears by steps, however. That means first gear, second gear, third gear and so on.

Continuously variable transmission is meant to smooth out the process of shifting from one gear to another by instead transitioning upwards or downwards as a process of maneuvering through the gear ratios. A series of pulleys increase or decrease the gear ratio so you don't have that clunky moment between first and second gear or second and third gear where you can lose a little bit of power and have kind of a clunky, sketchy transition.

If you think of traditional gear shifting as going up a series of steps from first gear to second gear and so on you can think of CVT transmission as ascending a ramp. The purpose here is to increase fuel economy as you increase your speed because you're not having the harsh transition from one gear to the next. It's supposed to make your engine operate more efficiently and easily. Basically, CVT transmission is meant to be more responsive and faster than the traditional styles of transmissions because you don't have to pause between gears even if it's only for just a moment.

The fuel economy associated with CVT transmission is increased by the fact that the technology itself is actually lighter than your standard transmission setup sorry. Since it takes up less space and less weight in your engine, it also becomes more economical for operating your vehicle in the long run. This pans out by the numbers because on average a CVT transmission is going to save you about 4% on your costs overall. That's not a huge difference, but it is something worth taking into consideration.

Unfortunately, even though CVT transmission sounds like it's meant to be better on paper, it has had issues over the years particularly in a few models of Subaru’s vehicles.

Subaru Warranty Extension

Subaru Cvt Transmission Fluid

In 2017 Subaru offered a warranty extension for over one-and-a-half million vehicles that covered problems with a continuously variable transmission. The warranty extension was made for vehicles produced between the year 2012 and 2017. Instead of a recall, the warranty extension offered a near doubling of the existing warranty. Previous warranties we're good for 5 years or 60,000 miles. This extension gave you a 10-year warranty or 100,000 miles, whichever came first. They covered Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Crosstrek, and Subaru WRX.

If your vehicle did not fall into the 2012 to 2017 date range, there was a small warranty extension offered that only lasted for an additional year. This warranty extension was offered instead of a recall, so it essentially acknowledged that there was a problem with the CVT Transmission in all of these models across those years, but not to such a degree that Subaru felt it was necessary to fully recall every model.

A number of drivers have felt that a full recall should have been issued, but the recall did cover a lot of problems for drivers who was experiencing transmission issues figured since some of these problems could have brought with them repair bills that were upwards of $4,000 or so, it was a pretty helpful extension to have for the drivers who needed it.

Subaru Forester

Subaru has been making the Forester since the 1998 model year. It has had some problems with the transmission over the years, and particular in 2017. For this model year drivers reported having issues with the transmission shuddering and jerking which happened very early in the life of the vehicle. Transmission problems popped up as early as 2,500 miles into the life of the vehicle. This jerking problem was so severe that it would actually knock things off of the dashboard and even spill drinks and cup holders. That's a severe problem for any kind of transmission to have.

The 2014 and 2015 models of the Subaru Forester also had problems with the CVT transmission fairly early in the vehicle's life. This issue was much the same as in the 2017 model and presented itself as severe lurching and bucking where the vehicle got up to speed. There are also problems with the transmission just slipping and failing completely. This often happens between the 40,000 mile and 50,000-mile mark.

Subaru Ascent

Subaru Ascent is a fairly new vehicle in the Subaru lineup, having debuted in the 2019 model year. There have been very few issues reported with the Ascent’s transmission in no small part due to the fact that it is such a new vehicle. With that in mind, the Ascent is a reliable vehicle overall.

In the same year, Subaru issued a recall for faulty transmissions that affected a number of vehicles in their product lineup. This transmission problem could lead you power loss or hesitation with driving and result in either sluggish driving acceleration or potentially a crash.

The problem was caused by a faulty pressure sensor in the transmission that would give incorrect readings to your vehicle's computer and result in reduced hydraulic pressure. So far there have been no serious accidents reported related to this particular recall. Subaru ended up free calling 76,842 Ascent models for this transmission issue.

Subaru Crosstrek

You may know the Subaru Crosstrek is the Subaru XV Crosstrek if you happen to buy one before the 2016 model year. Since it became just a Crosstrek it does not have very many issues with the transmission. Only minor complaints Have popped up since that time.

As far as the Subaru XV Crosstrek goes there were some additional transmission problems with the model years from 2013 to 2015 but not insignificant enough numbers to make it stand out as being problematic. The biggest issues with the transmission in these years were grinding noises, erratic shifting and slipping of years, as well as some hesitation in the transmission.

Subaru Impreza

The Impreza debuted for the 1993 model year and since that time it has had a number of issues with its transmission. New transmission problems for the Impreza aren't chronic, but in particular the 2012 model year would be considered the worst of the production run. Drivers at model-year complained of numerous problems with shifting between gears not working normally and issues trying to accelerate. Again, while this was considered the worst model year for the Impreza overall, it wasn't a terrible year by any means, and it didn't present itself as a chronic issue for the Impreza.

Subaru Outback

One of Subaru’s most popular models, the Outback has been in production since 1995. 2011 was definitely the worst model year for the Subaru Outback and the CVT transmission. The most common problem for this model year was total transmission failure which occurred for a number of drivers around a hundred thousand miles. This is a very serious issue that brought with it repairs that cost upward of $4,000.

Subaru Cvt Transmission Issues

There was a recall issued in 2011 for a Subaru Outback transmission but it wasn't a comprehensive recall by any means. Only 800 vehicles were subject to the recall and it was related to gears not being properly lubricated leading to a groaning sound that could develop, power loss, and a potential crash.

In 2010 the Subaru Outback had some problems with torque converters locking up and also noise in the transmission when it was shifting through gears. These were not chronic problems either, and didn't affect the overall performance of the vehicle too badly.

In 2014 some drivers also reported a few issues with their Subaru Outback’s transmission such as hesitation, shuddering as the vehicle transitioned through gears and so on. Combined with the fact that 2014 had a number of issues that were related to transmission and you could make a good case that a 2014 Subaru Outback is a model year that you'd want to avoid.

Subaru Legacy

Another classic model from the Subaru company, the Subaru Legacy was first produced back in 1990. Despite the age of the vehicle and his had relatively few transmission problems over the years, none that make it a standout or statistical anomaly.

Most years of the Legacy have proven to be extremely reliable in the long run, but if there was one year that you might want to think twice about is probably the 2015 model year of the Subaru Legacy. Drivers reported a number of issues with this model years transmission including that hesitation issue that is seen to pop up in every Subaru model, as well as difficulty shifting and noises and jerking. In some cases, drivers even reported problems with transmission fluid leaking.

Subaru Cvt Transmission Parts

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Subaru did Issue a recall for a number of 2015 Legacy models because of the transmission leak. It didn't cover a large number of vehicles however, in fact only 3,000 models were affected by it. Still, there was risk of fire associated with the leak, so it was a serious issue that didn't need to be addressed.

Subaru WRX

The WRX is another Subaru model that has proven to be fairly problem-free over the years. 2015 was another year with some issues in terms of the transmission for the WRX. The problems were of the fairly mundane variety, specifically issues with noises or the transmission staying in neutral and not shifting out again. By and large, the WRX has been a pretty reliable vehicle and one that you shouldn't have too many problems with.

Subaru Cvt Transmission Warranty Extension

Subaru BRZ

This has been one of the most reliable Vehicles Subaru has ever produced in terms of transmission. In fact, the 2013 model year is the only one that has had any significant number of complaints related to transmission and that's just relative to the other model years. Complaints were not levied against the 2013 BRZ in any significant numbers at all. Suffice it to say, if you're interested in a sporty Subaru then the BRZ is definitely a model that you'd want to take a look at.

The Bottom Line

Subaru Cvt Transmission 2017

Subaru CVT transmission is something that some drivers think is the best thing on the road and other drivers are really not a fan of it all. Because of the number of recalls and the warranty issue related to this transmission, you can clearly see that it's something you should keep in mind if you are interested in picking up a Subaru, especially one built between 2012 and 2017.

When it works properly, the CVT transmission in the Subaru is a great asset. It makes your drive a lot smoother, it saves you money at the pumps, and it's more efficient at getting the job done than traditional forms of a transmission are. But again, that's when it's working as it's supposed to. And as we’ve seen it doesn't always work that way.

Subaru Cvt Transmission Cooler

If you are interested in a Subaru model, just keep in mind which ones have had issues and if it's an older model vehicle no matter what kind of see where it is, always remember to bring a trusted mechanic along with you to take a look at it and make sure it's still in good working order.