Are transmission problems common on the 2011 Subaru Outback?

Yes. NHTSA lists 216 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Outback, which is 33% of all complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among the years shown.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2011 Subaru Outback?

Yes. Recall 10V326000 covers a programming error that left a lubrication hole issue in the 6-speed manual transmission on certain 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles.

At what mileage do transmission problems usually show up on the 2011 Outback?

NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 114,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.

What kinds of transmission symptoms do 2011 Outback owners report?

Owners describe hard clunks and lurching when shifting into drive, hesitation before acceleration, jerking while slowing down, and in one case the gear slipping into reverse at highway speed.

Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?

NHTSA records show 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the 216 Transmission & Powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Outback.

2011 Subaru Outback Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 216 of 651 total complaints (33%) on the 2011 Subaru Outback, the highest share of any model year in this range. Owners report hard clunks, hesitation, and unexpected lurching, with a median failure mileage of 114,000. A related recall (10V326000) covers a lubrication hole defect in the 6-speed manual transmission.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 216; 33% of 651
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 114,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report a hard clunk or bang paired with the vehicle lurching forward when shifting from park or reverse into drive, especially on a cold start.
Some describe a brief hesitation before acceleration when pulling into traffic or turning at a rolling stop, followed by a jerk forward.
Several owners report the transmission jerking or shuddering when slowing to a stop or downshifting in traffic.
One report describes the gear slipping from 4th or 5th into reverse at highway speed, disabling reverse gear afterward.
A separate report describes the vehicle surging forward unexpectedly while shifting from reverse to drive with the brake applied.
One early complaint at 9 miles describes repeated hesitation followed by a hard clunk during rolling stops and turns.

When 2011 Subaru Outback transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 23, 2010, latest Aug 23, 2025.

216 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2025 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (18).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback

NHTSA 10V326000Jul 20, 2010Transmission & Powertrain809 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted.
Risk: If the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of a problem. If the sound is ignored and no action is taken, the gears will eventually break and this condition will lead to vehicle power loss, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace the internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on july 28, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201093 (26%)
2011216 (33%)
2012107 (37%)
201360 (20%)
201425 (12%)
201537 (7%)
201645 (7%)
201747 (5%)
201814 (2%)
201915 (1%)
202046 (5%)
202112 (4%)
202218 (4%)
20235 (6%)
20246 (6%)
20254 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Are transmission problems common on the 2011 Subaru Outback?: Yes. NHTSA lists 216 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 Outback, which is 33% of all complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among the years shown.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2011 Subaru Outback?: Yes. Recall 10V326000 covers a programming error that left a lubrication hole issue in the 6-speed manual transmission on certain 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles.
At what mileage do transmission problems usually show up on the 2011 Outback?: NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 114,000 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.
What kinds of transmission symptoms do 2011 Outback owners report?: Owners describe hard clunks and lurching when shifting into drive, hesitation before acceleration, jerking while slowing down, and in one case the gear slipping into reverse at highway speed.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?: NHTSA records show 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the 216 Transmission & Powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Outback.