CriticalCommonTransmission

Subaru Outback: Lineartronic TR690 CVT Valve Body and Solenoid Failure

Lineartronic TR690 CVT Valve Body and Solenoid Failure is a common transmission fault on the Subaru Outback on the 2015 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $1,800 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: 2015
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 Mechatronic / valve body yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

BS-generation Outbacks use the TR690 Lineartronic CVT, which is more robust than the TR580 but remains susceptible to valve body solenoid failure and torque converter clutch issues. The most common failure is the torque converter clutch lock-up solenoid (DTC P2763), which causes shuddering under light throttle. Chain slip from degraded CVT fluid and pump failure at higher mileages are also documented. Repair typically involves valve body replacement ($1,800-$3,500 NZD) for solenoid-only faults, rising to full unit replacement for mechanical failures.

What you would notice

Shuddering or vibration at cruising speed under light throttle
Delayed engagement when moving from Park to Drive
Check engine light with P2763 or related CVT codes
Transmission slipping or sudden loss of drive under hard acceleration

How to check it

Where to look. Transmission, mounted behind the FB25 or EZ36 engine

During test drive maintain steady light throttle at 80-100 km/h and note any shudder. Check CVT fluid condition and colour via dipstick or service port. Verify CVT fluid change records at the recommended 40,000 km interval. If a workshop inspection is possible: Scan for fault codes with OBD-II tool before test drive.

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

What it costs to put right

$1,800 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 been changed at or before 40,000 km intervals?”
“Has the vehicle ever shown a transmission warning light?”
“Is there any current or expired Subaru extended CVT warranty applicable?”

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 tr690 cvt valve body and solenoid failure serious on a Subaru Outback?

We rate it critical and common on the Subaru Outback. BS-generation Outbacks use the TR690 Lineartronic CVT, which is more robust than the TR580 but remains susceptible to valve body solenoid failure and torque converter clutch issues. The most common failure is the torque converter clutch lock-up solenoid (DTC P2763), which causes shuddering under light throttle. Chain slip from degraded CVT fluid and pump failure at higher mileages are also documented. Repair typically involves valve body replacement ($1,800-$3,500 NZD) for solenoid-only faults, rising to full unit replacement for mechanical failures.

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

$1,800 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 2015 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.