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Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own

24 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 1:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Transmission, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 4

#3 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [dcm61] by acr2011

Feb 24, 2012 (8:46 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (Feb 23, 2012 7:55 pm)
Thanks for the reply. I am confident that I am NOT hitting the paddle shifters. Ever since this became a problem - after 7 months of no issues at all - I have been very aware of keeping my hands away from that part of the steering wheel (I hold the bottom).
 
FYI, I have used the shifters intentionally from drive mode as you note, and am aware of the amount of pressure needed to make these work. Unfortunately, this is not the culprit!

#4 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [acr2011] by xwesx

Feb 24, 2012 (9:59 am)

Replying to: acr2011 (Feb 24, 2012 8:46 am)
Does this only happen when you are stopped and attempt a left turn? That, by itself, seems a little odd, but I can see it maybe happening simply when stopped in drive (such as at a light). The difference between automatic and "manumatic" mode is nothing more than an electronic selector, so it is quite possible that there is a loose or poor connection that is simply bridging to the wrong contact under your console. I would think such an obvious possibility would be something the shop techs at your local dealership would check.
 
Have you tried slapping a paddle to select the next gear when this happens? I wonder if that would clear it back to normal mode or leave you in manual.

#5 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [xwesx] by acr2011

Feb 24, 2012 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 24, 2012 9:59 am)
I think the left turn element is just a coincidence.
 
...as a temporary band-aid, good idea to try using the paddle shifters to reset. I'll keep that in mind.
 
My bigger issue, though, is that it makes me feel unsafe driving the car --- a relatively NEW car, at that! Thankfully, I've been able to react quickly enough so that the car(s) behind me haven't hit me. But I can easily see how this could become an accident, if the driver behind me thinks I'm accelerating normally and the car does the opposite.
 
Has anyone else experienced this? (and I reeeeally appreciate the suggestions!)

#6 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [acr2011] by vtara16

Mar 28, 2012 (11:09 am)

Replying to: acr2011 (Feb 23, 2012 7:37 pm)
I have the EXACT same problem and it ALWAYS happens after I make a left hand turn. I am so glad that I have found you! Have you had any luck with dealership? Any suggestions?
 
My 2011 Subaru Outback is at the dealership again for the second time since January. The first time that this occurred I called my dealership. They had my car in the shop for 4 days, they did all sorts of "tests" on it and they turned up nothing. I did call the 800 customer support line just so that my problem was reported to them.
 
The support line did tell me the next time that this occurs, pull over immediately and call the dealership for a tow. They said not to drive the car more than 5 miles because it would clear the "records" of what occurred with the transmission.
 
Yesterday, March 27, 2012 it happened again. After I had made a left hand turn at a light, the car went from manually driving at 40 to 2nd gear. Talk about a safety issue! I pulled over immediatly and called the subaru dealership. They sent a tow right away. They gave me a rental and are keeping my car for a week. Their service manager is going to drive it every day to see if it will happen again. I told them that it would not happen and wouldn't until about 3 months from now! grrrrrr.
 
They did tell me that the 2011 Premium model is having the same issues, but this is the first time that they have ever heard of it happening in my model. BS!
 
Let me know what they are telling you. if you need to email me at barker.taragmail.com
 
Thanks
TB

#7 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [vtara16] by kryptoc

Jul 14, 2012 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: vtara16 (Mar 28, 2012 11:09 am)
Here's how this happened to me. A new 3.6R with 100mi. I was going 60 in the left lane up a steep, long hill in Colorado; cars all around. I tapped the left paddle for the first time to test the downshifting. The car IMMEDIATELY dropped into 1st gear! Revs through the roof; tapped the upshift--nothing. Very near serious accident as the car suddenly slowed, likely with no brake lights. Pulled over with lots of dashboard lights, including the flashing brake light. Towed in. Dealer mechanics hadn't heard of this before. Anyone have input on this?

#8 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [kryptoc] by coloradomom2

Sep 06, 2012 (7:12 am)

Replying to: kryptoc (Jul 14, 2012 12:23 pm)
I have an automatic (CVT) Outback Premium 2012. Yesterday I was driving at 40mph, no acceleration or deceleration, going straight. The car just stopped, as if I went into first and hit the brakes. Almost got rear ended. When I pressed the gas, the car would not go and I noticed the drive gear was in manual. Called Subaru and they said I had probably accidentally moved gear shift. How could I have done that if I was not moving around in the car? They offered to look at it but since they had no idea what happened, it seems a waste of time. I'll see what happens.

#9 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [coloradomom2] by ateixeira

Sep 06, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: coloradomom2 (Sep 06, 2012 7:12 am)
Scary. Let them run their full diagnostics to see if they flag anything.

#10 of 24 Re: Subaru Outback: Slips from Drive to Manual/1st gear on its own [ateixeira] by mcarver82

Jan 29, 2013 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 06, 2012 11:02 am)
Mine has done this exact thing twice in the past 2 days. First time thought I had accidentally knocked something, second time I knew. have owned for 9 months. PZEV version 2011 2.5. outback. Please post if you have a solution, scares me for being such a new car.

#11 of 24 Lemon law or go thru SOA? by reallysoa

Jan 30, 2013 (9:11 pm)

Same downshifting problem here. Dealer will deny it and so will SOA. Which is better option-lemon law or repurchase/replace via SOA?

#12 of 24 Re: Lemon law or go thru SOA? [reallysoa] by ateixeira

Jan 31, 2013 (7:48 am)

Replying to: reallysoa (Jan 30, 2013 9:11 pm)
Are you able to duplicate the problem in front of a tech?
 
I troubleshoot for a living and it's really tough when a customer has a problem but I'm not able to observe it, makes it much tougher.
 
If you can duplicate the conditions where the problem occurs and the dealer can see it, that helps them fix it.

Messages Page 2 of 4

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