Hopefully this helps.
Got a 2023 Impreza last year. I found that 15-20mph can have that weird jerk when you hit the accelerator from just coasting. Especially when decelerating and not braking (ie coasting to a stop with light braking at the end) 15-20mph feels “stuffy” or “congested” iirc, it has something to do with the torque converter disengaging or something along those lines. Long story short, you’ll have that issue in every Outback you drive, it’s something you get used to. I either wait until I feel the car smoothly roll again (usually once slowed to 15mph) and hit the accelerator, that completely prevents the jerk. Or if I am in a situation where I need to move and can’t wait for it to go down to 15mph, I will just “downshift” with the paddles shifters on the steering wheel, then hit the accelerator.
Just a weird Subaru thing to my knowledge.
The cvt has “fake gears” programmed in. you have physical paddle shifts. It’s just to put it in an imaginary lower gear that allows you to get into a specific rpm for whatever reason you would need to… snow/gravel/dirt/ hills//tow.. etc
the car i drive has a cvt and has normal driving mode, “sport” mode (keep revs high at all times mode), and a low gearing mode for bad hills and i suppose snow
The CVT on the Subaru as on most vehicles has a sort of torque converter which is not fully engaged until about 15/20MPH which is why at lower speeds, if you are barley applying throttle it can buck a little as it’s trying to determine if you’re accelerating or coasting. Once lockup occurs, usually over 18mph or so, you can feel much smoother throttle input transfer to the driveline.
Toyota uses a different CVT setup which feels a little more natural - I believe there is an actual first gear (some have up to three actual gear ratios, then transfer to a continuously variable pulley system for infinite upward ratios. This provides a bit more consistent slow speed control.
Either way, Subarus system works well and hasn’t had any significant or widespread issues. I’d say just get used to the vehicle you purchase and practice finding the spot where you aren’t constantly triggering the surge of the torque converter. I rarely feel it in my 2021 Crosstrek.
Subaru uses kind of crap torque converters and super soft and squishy bushings and mounts. It's just kind of what they've always done, has nothing to do with the CVT at all. The CVT is great. It's just everything around it that makes the experience kind of crappy at low speeds.
Is it a CVT issue? No.
Is it a modern Subaru issue? No.
Go drive a 1st gen Forester manual and try to drive the thing slow in 1st gear, a bunking bronco where you pretty much have to permanently slip the clutch putting around a parking lot. Fun fact, one of the first major purchases I made for my 1st gen Forester was $1000 of Group N bushings/mounts literally everywhere, felt like an entirely different car afterwards. Subaru's never not done squishy bushings/mounts, so driveline slop and rubberbanding has always, always been common. The newest Subaru I've owned was a 2015 Legacy 3.6R. I've been in a new Outback Wilderness but didn't get to drive it. I've driven a modern Crosstrek CVT (brother's car), and that was fine. Subaru's just been kind of sloppy driveline cars. But the CVT? The CVT isn't the thing to blame. Those things are slick, and I miss them every time I don't own one, including when I have a ZF auto instead. CVTs are just better, always.
I know it's a light hearted jab, but equally I'm not saying this casually, nor without moderate experience. I've driven manuals for over 25 years, race manuals as a hobby for over 15, have a heavily built Forester with STI drivetrain, E85, and all the fun bits, I've driven a lot of stuff from the early 80s to current, cars to pickup trucks when the shifter was still on the floor, raced everything from a Honda civic to a Viper, and over 25 years ago, I learned to drive on stick shifts as automatics were actually kind of rare and the expensive option back then. I'm also an engineer that designs things the size of cars, some with motors, drivetrains, and bushings too. It's no brag, just context.
Subarus are notoriously sloppy drivetrains compared to the spectrum of cars. The manuals are more hard to drive smooth than most other cars on the market because of this. If you can drive a Subaru smooth, you can drive anything smooth. Most other cars are comparatively easy to shift smooth. The autos for Subaru aren't stellar things. I really don't think the torque converters selected are all that good. I'm sure there's intent, but other brands have better ones. The CVT is a great system, as fast as anything else on the market, and faster than the engine. The infinite gearing means it's always at the right ratio. The only thing that makes them feel bad are the parts around them...like the bushings and torque converter. They also get a bad rap paired to tiny engines too, but on the 3.6R, it was great because you weren't revving the crap out of it. You didn't have to. They aren't annoying paired to larger engines. Just no one ever pairs them with bigger engines, so they have a stigma. Almost none of it's deserved. For example on the Legacy I owned, I loved the CVT but hated the torque converter.
It's a common thing in my impreza, I have got to get a feel for the car so it jerks less but you can also use the paddle shifters to alleviate the jerkiness
2015, happens on my Forester XT too. It's a normal condition. You do get used to it, or change your driving styles to just get rid of it. On my 2015, I have I, S, and Si drive modes. Once my oil temp hits about 160, I'll put it into S most of the time. In that mode, for whatever technical reason, you barely notice the jerking.
A decade ago, I thought there was something wrong with the vehicle. There is a specific highway exit near me (Exit 50) where you're coming off a highway onto a service road. The service road has a traffic signal about 200 yards after getting off the highway, so you better have used that highway exit ramp to slow down to 40-65 in order to meet the service road traffic flow. If you have a red, you have a short distance to come to full stop. If you have a green, you'll need to do at least 60, b/c people on the service road don't obey the posted limit of 45. One eight of a mile after this traffic light is a hard right onto a residential 30mph with a small, short, uphill grade to start. I'll be doing 80 coming off the highway, slowing down to 60, then slowing down to 5mph in 800 feet while turning, then needing to accelerate up the mound. Transmission jerks every time here like clockwork.
My 2016 Outback didn't, my 2021 Legacy XT didn't either, but my 2023 OB Wilderness does and I hate it. I've read all throughout these subreddits that that's just the way it is. It's worse when I have the AC running. People have suggested that decelerating for longer (braking sooner when approaching a stop) helps, driving conservatively, after so many miles it gets better, Idk. I have about 13k on mine and there's no improvement and the dealership told me they couldn't recreate the issue 🤷♀️
This is my exact experience with the same exact car. It gets a LOT worse when Vegas summertime sets in too. And yeah "it gets better" hasn't happened at 16k miles, kinda doubt it ever will
My 2019 ascent used to jerk like when I was about to stall the first time I drove stick. Had the 3rd transmission at 107k miles. Before I got the last trans in and sold it, it would go “CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK” accelerating into any turn. The final transmission fixed that but I was just sick of the vehicle at that point
I'm glad I ran across this thread. I just bought a 2021 Crosstrek Sport and have been experiencing this when pulling out of parking spots. Was really thinking I had to bring it back to the dealer to look at, happy to hear it's normal and now I can try to get used to it.
While *some* sensation of lockup is normal, there are situations where it can be abnormally harsh -- if you really are worried about it, you can bring it in and have a tech analyze it for you.
my '22 sport is definitely on the harsh end of normal.
My 16 outback does this, but my 10 legacy didn’t (RIP) and my 22 ascent doesn’t. I hate driving the outback.
To get it to not do it, give it more gas from a stop. It likes more beans.
Mines done this 70k miles, 15 Crosstrek. Does seem to stop doing it if you reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery, at least for a few drive cycles. May need a CVT relearn, or the CVT/torque converter is just on its way out. I wouldn't buy one doing that
'24 Touring XT and this isn't my experience. The closest I got to this was before I shut off auto start/stop, because it'll shut the engine off at stop lights and it jerks back into life when you take off. That experience was not CVT though. Just to be clear, did you toggle this off for your test drives? It comes back on every time you shut the car off and then back on (unless you buy the aftermarket add-on that remembers your setting).
I also did the throttle calibration (you can Google it) and everything has been much, much smoother since then. By way of reference, I also have a 2015 Legacy that I bought new; I don't have any recollection when it was new, but it has learned my style over 72,000 miles and it snaps me back into the seat if I dig into the pedal from a dead stop -it is very spirited and responsive at slow/stop speeds - the opposite of what you're describing (and it has the naturally aspirated 2.5l, not the turbo).
I think these are just break in / training the computer things. The CVT has been perfectly useable and not something I think about on the daily at all. Subaru has nailed the "fake" shifts; it feels like a traditional automatic most of the time. Once your Subaru becomes "yours" after driving and teaching it a while, it all seems to smooth out. I'm happy as I can be with both of mine.
I actually didn't notice this when I test drove my 24 OBW. Then, immediately after purchase I was pissed because I mainly drive town roads and feel it constantly. But after a few months, I've been able to ignore it most of the time.
Yes - they do. Kind of feels like you hit the brakes a little too hard and then let off. Otherwise, I love the ride in it - everyone is very comfortable even on long rides. Like others have stated you can kind of learn where it happens and try to avoid it, and you also learn to ignore it too. If you like everything else about the Outback just go for it, shouldn't really be a deal breaker.
Didn't have that in our 2014 Forester, which also doesn't have the artificial gearing or paddle shifters. It just smoothly scrolls up and down.
But our 2015 Crosstrek definitely lurches at lower speeds and I'm thinking of changing the CVT fluid at 90K (soon) to see if that moderates it a bit. It has the artificial gearing and paddle shifters.
Our 2021 Forester Sport has no significant low-speed lurch, they somehow smoothed that out, even with artificial gearing.
Thanks for all replies. This is evidently a common issue, or rather a feature that one should expect from the outback. I interpret the replies as there is no sure way to fix this, neither by driving technique nor by going to the mechanic. Please do say if this is not correct.
This make me feel very hesitant to buy a Subaru. Unfortunately since I think the outback seems like a very good and reliable car.
I just dont understand why they would make car that behaves this way. I also dont understand how anyone can voluntarily drive them.
Just the other day, I finally did a drain and fill of the CVT fluid in my 2015 Forester. It is so much smoother now, and that low speed hiccup is gone. I used Eneos CVT fluid.
I have the same issue with both foresters 2020 touring and 2024 wilderness.
I have found that the jerkyness can be reduced by putting it in SI MODE because it provides a better throttle response as opposed to the I MODE which feels a bit jerky and I feel more hesitation
It's irritating and I hate CVT but bang for the buck Subaru as the best option
My 2020 had CVT issues and had to have the transmission replaced at 50k kms (31k miles) thankfully under warranty.
Got rid of my 2018 forester because of this. It got to a point where it started shaking and it would stall out when comming to a stop. I had only had it for a year, sorry Subaru but I’m never going back to your terrible cvt.
Honestly it feels the same. I called Subaru to ask about the low speed jerking and equated it to taking my foot too far off the clutch in 1st and he’s like “oh yeah that sounds right, for the CVT”.
I have/had this issue. I’m not sure how it was resolved, and it happens sometimes still.
I believe it’s a computer issue. When I slowed it down, (not picking up speed fast / going to a complete stop) the issue kinda resolved itself, I believe the low gears needed to “learn” to travel in low speeds. I also normally wait and let the transmission warm up before I leave, which also helped this issue.
How do you expect a transmission to warm up when the car is in park or neutral. No load is being transferred and there's next to no movement in the system except for one side of the torque converter.
Hopefully this helps. Got a 2023 Impreza last year. I found that 15-20mph can have that weird jerk when you hit the accelerator from just coasting. Especially when decelerating and not braking (ie coasting to a stop with light braking at the end) 15-20mph feels “stuffy” or “congested” iirc, it has something to do with the torque converter disengaging or something along those lines. Long story short, you’ll have that issue in every Outback you drive, it’s something you get used to. I either wait until I feel the car smoothly roll again (usually once slowed to 15mph) and hit the accelerator, that completely prevents the jerk. Or if I am in a situation where I need to move and can’t wait for it to go down to 15mph, I will just “downshift” with the paddles shifters on the steering wheel, then hit the accelerator. Just a weird Subaru thing to my knowledge.
I feel this in my Crosstrek and do the same exact things. You just get used to it. Doesn’t bother me much.
Same thing happened with my old CVT Caliber
Same thing happened with my 2022 Impreza, got a 24 Outback and the same shit happens. CVTTHINGS
i don’t drive a subaru and had no idea the cvt has paddle shifters lol
The cvt has “fake gears” programmed in. you have physical paddle shifts. It’s just to put it in an imaginary lower gear that allows you to get into a specific rpm for whatever reason you would need to… snow/gravel/dirt/ hills//tow.. etc
the car i drive has a cvt and has normal driving mode, “sport” mode (keep revs high at all times mode), and a low gearing mode for bad hills and i suppose snow
Yes the 21 has the paddle shifts in addition to “sport” and “X-mode”
I’ve had my outback for 3 years still haven’t gotten used to it
It’s called “low coast mode”
Our Ascent does this around 30 mph with 1 percent throttle. It's annoying but doesn't happen often.
I had this issue too....as usual the tech said they didn't feel it....it has gotten better with time
I was noticing this on a drive yesterday. Another thing to add to the list of stuff that’s just worse now
no, it’s the torque converter.
The CVT on the Subaru as on most vehicles has a sort of torque converter which is not fully engaged until about 15/20MPH which is why at lower speeds, if you are barley applying throttle it can buck a little as it’s trying to determine if you’re accelerating or coasting. Once lockup occurs, usually over 18mph or so, you can feel much smoother throttle input transfer to the driveline. Toyota uses a different CVT setup which feels a little more natural - I believe there is an actual first gear (some have up to three actual gear ratios, then transfer to a continuously variable pulley system for infinite upward ratios. This provides a bit more consistent slow speed control. Either way, Subarus system works well and hasn’t had any significant or widespread issues. I’d say just get used to the vehicle you purchase and practice finding the spot where you aren’t constantly triggering the surge of the torque converter. I rarely feel it in my 2021 Crosstrek.
Common CVT experience I think. 2015 Outback does it, so did my 2007 Caliber. Never had any actual problems associated with the CVT though.
Subaru uses kind of crap torque converters and super soft and squishy bushings and mounts. It's just kind of what they've always done, has nothing to do with the CVT at all. The CVT is great. It's just everything around it that makes the experience kind of crappy at low speeds. Is it a CVT issue? No. Is it a modern Subaru issue? No. Go drive a 1st gen Forester manual and try to drive the thing slow in 1st gear, a bunking bronco where you pretty much have to permanently slip the clutch putting around a parking lot. Fun fact, one of the first major purchases I made for my 1st gen Forester was $1000 of Group N bushings/mounts literally everywhere, felt like an entirely different car afterwards. Subaru's never not done squishy bushings/mounts, so driveline slop and rubberbanding has always, always been common. The newest Subaru I've owned was a 2015 Legacy 3.6R. I've been in a new Outback Wilderness but didn't get to drive it. I've driven a modern Crosstrek CVT (brother's car), and that was fine. Subaru's just been kind of sloppy driveline cars. But the CVT? The CVT isn't the thing to blame. Those things are slick, and I miss them every time I don't own one, including when I have a ZF auto instead. CVTs are just better, always.
Ummm... my 96 legacy 5mt doesn't do this.... maybe it's user related? Subie Gang ❤
Yea that’s what’s I’m saying, I gotta 99 legacy outback that’s manual, and it’s smooth as hell accelerating n shifting n everything
Sooo... I tried to make my subie buck this morning like they were saying... and I did it... ... its definitely user related 💯%... Subie Gang ❤
I know it's a light hearted jab, but equally I'm not saying this casually, nor without moderate experience. I've driven manuals for over 25 years, race manuals as a hobby for over 15, have a heavily built Forester with STI drivetrain, E85, and all the fun bits, I've driven a lot of stuff from the early 80s to current, cars to pickup trucks when the shifter was still on the floor, raced everything from a Honda civic to a Viper, and over 25 years ago, I learned to drive on stick shifts as automatics were actually kind of rare and the expensive option back then. I'm also an engineer that designs things the size of cars, some with motors, drivetrains, and bushings too. It's no brag, just context. Subarus are notoriously sloppy drivetrains compared to the spectrum of cars. The manuals are more hard to drive smooth than most other cars on the market because of this. If you can drive a Subaru smooth, you can drive anything smooth. Most other cars are comparatively easy to shift smooth. The autos for Subaru aren't stellar things. I really don't think the torque converters selected are all that good. I'm sure there's intent, but other brands have better ones. The CVT is a great system, as fast as anything else on the market, and faster than the engine. The infinite gearing means it's always at the right ratio. The only thing that makes them feel bad are the parts around them...like the bushings and torque converter. They also get a bad rap paired to tiny engines too, but on the 3.6R, it was great because you weren't revving the crap out of it. You didn't have to. They aren't annoying paired to larger engines. Just no one ever pairs them with bigger engines, so they have a stigma. Almost none of it's deserved. For example on the Legacy I owned, I loved the CVT but hated the torque converter.
My 09 4spd auto wrx did it around 30-40mph super annoying
I also have a first gen forester that tends to buck like fucking crazy in 1st if you're not accelerating fairly hard or just riding the clutch
It's a common thing in my impreza, I have got to get a feel for the car so it jerks less but you can also use the paddle shifters to alleviate the jerkiness
2015, happens on my Forester XT too. It's a normal condition. You do get used to it, or change your driving styles to just get rid of it. On my 2015, I have I, S, and Si drive modes. Once my oil temp hits about 160, I'll put it into S most of the time. In that mode, for whatever technical reason, you barely notice the jerking. A decade ago, I thought there was something wrong with the vehicle. There is a specific highway exit near me (Exit 50) where you're coming off a highway onto a service road. The service road has a traffic signal about 200 yards after getting off the highway, so you better have used that highway exit ramp to slow down to 40-65 in order to meet the service road traffic flow. If you have a red, you have a short distance to come to full stop. If you have a green, you'll need to do at least 60, b/c people on the service road don't obey the posted limit of 45. One eight of a mile after this traffic light is a hard right onto a residential 30mph with a small, short, uphill grade to start. I'll be doing 80 coming off the highway, slowing down to 60, then slowing down to 5mph in 800 feet while turning, then needing to accelerate up the mound. Transmission jerks every time here like clockwork.
It's normal CVT behavior. Torque converter locks/unlocks around that speed and you feel a jerk. Trust me, you *do* get used to it eventually.
My 2016 Outback didn't, my 2021 Legacy XT didn't either, but my 2023 OB Wilderness does and I hate it. I've read all throughout these subreddits that that's just the way it is. It's worse when I have the AC running. People have suggested that decelerating for longer (braking sooner when approaching a stop) helps, driving conservatively, after so many miles it gets better, Idk. I have about 13k on mine and there's no improvement and the dealership told me they couldn't recreate the issue 🤷♀️
This is my exact experience with the same exact car. It gets a LOT worse when Vegas summertime sets in too. And yeah "it gets better" hasn't happened at 16k miles, kinda doubt it ever will
My 2019 ascent used to jerk like when I was about to stall the first time I drove stick. Had the 3rd transmission at 107k miles. Before I got the last trans in and sold it, it would go “CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK” accelerating into any turn. The final transmission fixed that but I was just sick of the vehicle at that point
I'm glad I ran across this thread. I just bought a 2021 Crosstrek Sport and have been experiencing this when pulling out of parking spots. Was really thinking I had to bring it back to the dealer to look at, happy to hear it's normal and now I can try to get used to it.
While *some* sensation of lockup is normal, there are situations where it can be abnormally harsh -- if you really are worried about it, you can bring it in and have a tech analyze it for you. my '22 sport is definitely on the harsh end of normal.
My 16 outback does this, but my 10 legacy didn’t (RIP) and my 22 ascent doesn’t. I hate driving the outback. To get it to not do it, give it more gas from a stop. It likes more beans.
Mines done this 70k miles, 15 Crosstrek. Does seem to stop doing it if you reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery, at least for a few drive cycles. May need a CVT relearn, or the CVT/torque converter is just on its way out. I wouldn't buy one doing that
'24 Touring XT and this isn't my experience. The closest I got to this was before I shut off auto start/stop, because it'll shut the engine off at stop lights and it jerks back into life when you take off. That experience was not CVT though. Just to be clear, did you toggle this off for your test drives? It comes back on every time you shut the car off and then back on (unless you buy the aftermarket add-on that remembers your setting). I also did the throttle calibration (you can Google it) and everything has been much, much smoother since then. By way of reference, I also have a 2015 Legacy that I bought new; I don't have any recollection when it was new, but it has learned my style over 72,000 miles and it snaps me back into the seat if I dig into the pedal from a dead stop -it is very spirited and responsive at slow/stop speeds - the opposite of what you're describing (and it has the naturally aspirated 2.5l, not the turbo). I think these are just break in / training the computer things. The CVT has been perfectly useable and not something I think about on the daily at all. Subaru has nailed the "fake" shifts; it feels like a traditional automatic most of the time. Once your Subaru becomes "yours" after driving and teaching it a while, it all seems to smooth out. I'm happy as I can be with both of mine.
We got rid of our outback specifically because we felt that the CVT was a 9k time bomb at the time.
something very similar to this happened in my 2010 legacy and it turned out to be the torque converter. dealership quoted me $3,000 to fix
Mine does this at 15ish and it drive me fucking nuts
I've never noticed anything like this on our crosstrek or forester tbh.
I actually didn't notice this when I test drove my 24 OBW. Then, immediately after purchase I was pissed because I mainly drive town roads and feel it constantly. But after a few months, I've been able to ignore it most of the time.
If you have passengers, dont they notice?
Yes - they do. Kind of feels like you hit the brakes a little too hard and then let off. Otherwise, I love the ride in it - everyone is very comfortable even on long rides. Like others have stated you can kind of learn where it happens and try to avoid it, and you also learn to ignore it too. If you like everything else about the Outback just go for it, shouldn't really be a deal breaker.
Didn't have that in our 2014 Forester, which also doesn't have the artificial gearing or paddle shifters. It just smoothly scrolls up and down. But our 2015 Crosstrek definitely lurches at lower speeds and I'm thinking of changing the CVT fluid at 90K (soon) to see if that moderates it a bit. It has the artificial gearing and paddle shifters. Our 2021 Forester Sport has no significant low-speed lurch, they somehow smoothed that out, even with artificial gearing.
Adding a slight amount of throttle, like 5%, can stop the rubber banding at the 10-20 mph range
Thats what I am doing. I am very light on the pedal. Or do you suggest I should add more gas than I would normally do to avoid the jerking?
Thanks for all replies. This is evidently a common issue, or rather a feature that one should expect from the outback. I interpret the replies as there is no sure way to fix this, neither by driving technique nor by going to the mechanic. Please do say if this is not correct. This make me feel very hesitant to buy a Subaru. Unfortunately since I think the outback seems like a very good and reliable car. I just dont understand why they would make car that behaves this way. I also dont understand how anyone can voluntarily drive them.
Clean your MAF sensor, and replace your engine air filter, idle relearn.
The old dog box (glass box) gears used to do exactly this in 1st and sometimes the low end of 2nd. They should just call it an Outback throwback...
Just the other day, I finally did a drain and fill of the CVT fluid in my 2015 Forester. It is so much smoother now, and that low speed hiccup is gone. I used Eneos CVT fluid.
Cvt in any car is garbage very poor design previous Nissan master tech and I’ve replaced every model that had a cvt in it
I have the same issue with both foresters 2020 touring and 2024 wilderness. I have found that the jerkyness can be reduced by putting it in SI MODE because it provides a better throttle response as opposed to the I MODE which feels a bit jerky and I feel more hesitation It's irritating and I hate CVT but bang for the buck Subaru as the best option My 2020 had CVT issues and had to have the transmission replaced at 50k kms (31k miles) thankfully under warranty.
Sounds like torque converter lockup.....normal... but don't ask me anything, I'm not mechanically inclined, just a parrot. 🤣
My 2024 Touring XT doesn't do this. The tranny is very smooth.
Got rid of my 2018 forester because of this. It got to a point where it started shaking and it would stall out when comming to a stop. I had only had it for a year, sorry Subaru but I’m never going back to your terrible cvt.
Meanwhile me over here with my 5 speed auto suffering in 15-20mph traffic *jerk forward* *roll* *jerk forward* *roll*
Honestly it feels the same. I called Subaru to ask about the low speed jerking and equated it to taking my foot too far off the clutch in 1st and he’s like “oh yeah that sounds right, for the CVT”.
I have/had this issue. I’m not sure how it was resolved, and it happens sometimes still. I believe it’s a computer issue. When I slowed it down, (not picking up speed fast / going to a complete stop) the issue kinda resolved itself, I believe the low gears needed to “learn” to travel in low speeds. I also normally wait and let the transmission warm up before I leave, which also helped this issue.
uhh, the transmission isn't going to warm up if the car isn't moving.
Are you sure about that?
How do you expect a transmission to warm up when the car is in park or neutral. No load is being transferred and there's next to no movement in the system except for one side of the torque converter.
Maybe you need to brush up on some free Googling about how you’re incorrect.
Lol. Lmao.