Subaru Legacy/Outback transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2017
105 of the 1,826 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Legacy/Outback 2016–2017 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (58), 2017 (47). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Legacy/Outback transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 47 | 5% | 24k | 84 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 58 | 7% | 35k | 91 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 3
Across the model years, half of the 75 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 7,000 and 49,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
There was a recall for my 2016 Subaru Legacy transmission issue (CVT), I got a letter from Subaru on 9/23/2018 which extended warranty for 2016-2017 Legacy/Outback CVT from 5 years/60000 miles to 10 years/100000 miles, started from 9/30/2019.
I had a transmission failure on my 2016 Subaru Legacy and there were no warning signs before this incident occurred. I was on a road trip driving at highway speeds and suddenly without warning I heard a loud bang.
New type transmission -happens all the time, more so when car is cool. Back out on a downhill slope hold brake, put in drive. It takes 1 to 3 seconds for drive to engage but nothing shows when it is engaged. You can however hear the ping of the engagement with window down.
I turned the car on while it was stationary, and switched to reverse but it would not accelerate. I switched it to drive and pressed the acceleration pedal but the engine would only rev; the tires would not move. I switched the car to neutral and called brown's manassas to tow the car to their dealership
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 15V794000 HighNov 24, 2015 · 3,251 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
- 15V502000 CriticalAug 10, 2015 · 2,893 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2017Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Legacy/Outback
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Legacy/Outback problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Legacy/Outback years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 58; 2017, 47. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (7%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 15V794000 (2016), 15V502000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 32,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 49,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.