MajorVery commonTransmission

Subaru Outback: Lineartronic CVT (TR690/TR580) Low-Speed Judder

Lineartronic CVT (TR690/TR580) Low-Speed Judder is a very common transmission fault on the Subaru Outback on the 2014–2020 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $11,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 34 documented faults on the Subaru Outback.

Vehicle: Subaru Outback
Years: 2014–2020
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Subaru Outback as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Subaru Outback faults34 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the CVT belt and pulleys yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The Lineartronic continuously variable transmission fitted to BS/BN Outbacks uses a push-belt running on primary and secondary variator pulleys lubricated by a specific CVTF-II fluid. As the fluid degrades or is contaminated by micro-metallic particles, the belt-to-pulley friction interface loses its designed slip characteristics, producing a pronounced shudder or judder typically felt between 15 and 60 km/h under light throttle. Subaru acknowledged the issue through multiple TSBs and in US markets extended CVT warranty coverage to 10 years or 100,000 miles on affected build ranges; no equivalent formal extension was announced for NZ/AU.

What you would notice

Shudder or vibration through the body between 15–60 km/h under light throttle application
Intermittent judder that temporarily resolves after hard acceleration or highway driving
Vibration worsens when transmission is cold and partially reduces once at operating temperature
Hesitation or surging sensation when maintaining a constant 50–80 km/h cruise
Transmission warning light or DTC P0700 / P1701 in advanced cases with fluid degradation

How to check it

Where to look. Lineartronic CVT unit, transaxle tunnel under centre console

During the test drive, accelerate gently from a rolling 20 km/h in a carpark and again from 40 km/h on a quiet road. Any vibration felt through the seat, steering wheel, or floor mat in this speed range is the classic CVT judder signature. Also perform a full-throttle pull from 0–80 km/h to check for belt slip or hesitation. Check the CVTF service history — Subaru recommends replacement at 40,000 km but many owners skip it. Pull the transmission dipstick if accessible: fluid should be amber-pink, not dark brown or metallic.

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $11,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the CVT fluid ever been replaced, and at what mileage?”
“Has the transmission ever exhibited shudder, vibration, or hesitation and been assessed by a dealer or transmission specialist?”
“Is the vehicle still within any extended Subaru CVT warranty coverage, or has a claim been made?”

Now check the Subaru Outback you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Subaru Outback buyer questions

Is lineartronic cvt (tr690/tr580) low-speed judder serious on a Subaru Outback?

We rate it major and very common on the Subaru Outback. The Lineartronic continuously variable transmission fitted to BS/BN Outbacks uses a push-belt running on primary and secondary variator pulleys lubricated by a specific CVTF-II fluid. As the fluid degrades or is contaminated by micro-metallic particles, the belt-to-pulley friction interface loses its designed slip characteristics, producing a pronounced shudder or judder typically felt between 15 and 60 km/h under light throttle. Subaru acknowledged the issue through multiple TSBs and in US markets extended CVT warranty coverage to 10 years or 100,000 miles on affected build ranges; no equivalent formal extension was announced for NZ/AU.

How much does it cost to fix on a Subaru Outback?

$350 to $11,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Subaru Outback years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2014–2020 Subaru Outback. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.