Subaru has been making cars since the 1950s and has grown into a popular automobile brand worldwide. The brand is recognized for its reliability and safety technology. However, regardless of the Subaru’s reliability, the vehicles become susceptible to transmission problems.

The transmission is just as crucial as its engine in terms of performance. Whether you drive a Subaru with a manual or an automatic transmission, their transmission is a complex piece of machinery.

The transmission is a critical component of any car. It is in charge of converting engine torque into usable power, so that a vehicle’s wheels may spin at different gear ratios depending on speed and load. Most of Subaru’s newer models use a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system, which uses pulleys instead of gears to regulate engine speed. Let’s take a closer look.

Causes of a Malfunctioning Transmission

Due to the obvious amount of heat and friction generated during operation, your transmission experiences any great wear and tear. Overheating is usually the major cause of transmission failure in Subaru. The transmission can also malfunction due to faulty pressure control solenoid, low transmission fluid, clogged oil cooler, or hoses.

The primary or secondary pulley failure can also cause the transmission to malfunction. This can cause shift issues such as harsh or delayed gear changes.

Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Transmission

Early discovery of transmission problems could help prevent irreparable damage and save you hundreds of dollars. Hence, it is necessary to recognize the warning signs of transmission failure. Although the sign can vary depending on the severity of the problem, they include:

Fluid Leakage

One of the simplest transmission problems to diagnose is leaking transmission fluid. If you discover a red, sweet-smelling fluid beneath your car, it is probably leaking transmission fluid. The fluid lubricates, cools, and helps in the smooth operation of your Subaru transmission. If you notice fluids leak and leave the issue unattended, it could cause your transmission to overheat, resulting in the system’s failure.

Slipping or delay on take-off

One of the more dangerous signs of trouble is the transmission shifting erratically or falling out of gear. If the gears are slipping when you shift, or you notice your transmission delays before responding to gear shifts, it could be a sign that the transmission has failed.

If your gears jerk in and out of place while driving, it’s not only terrifying and upsetting, but it’s also dangerous, as driving with a slipping transmission is never a good idea.

Check Engine Light

A faulty transmission system could trigger the check engine light. This warning signal is a crucial indicator that should never be ignored because other components could have also triggered the warning.

Burning Smell

Burning smells can indicate that your transmission is overheating or the transmission fluid is old and burned. When your transmission is not getting enough transmission fluid, it will overheat and produce that hot smell.

Temperature warning

Subaru cars can sometimes suffer from what appears to be an overheating transmission. In most circumstances, the transmission temperature warning light will begin to flash. It can happen while driving or even while the vehicle is idling. The problem might be caused by a broken pressure control solenoid or clogged transmission fluid tube.

Shaking and vibration

Shaking and jerking are good indicators of transmission trouble. Normal transmissions shift smoothly, often without notice. While it’s easy to downplay the problem at first, it gets worse with wear. The gradual increase might make you complacent until your gears fail. It is important to check or service the transmission.

Unusual Noises

Clunking, humming, grinding, or whining sounds are signs of transmission problems. As the transmission’s internals wear out, they can make whining noises under load and loud grinding noises when changing gears. If you hear an unusual noise while shifting, the transmission could encounter a problem or is faulty. This noise can be caused by a lack of lubrication when the transmission fluid is low or clogged, or there may be broken gear teeth.

Masters European and Japanese Auto Repair for Quality Service and Repairs

At Masters European and Japanese Auto Repair, we are committed to providing high-quality maintenance and repair services. Our shop has all the latest factory-grade tools and equipment, and our ASE-certified technicians are ready to help with transmission repair and maintenance of your Subaru.

We are located in Mill Valley, CA, and we are also the go-to shop for drivers in Corte Madera, Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Please schedule an appointment right away to give your car the maintenance it deserves!