2021 Outbacks And Impreza Gear Select Not Functioning Properly

Subaru of America will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Outbacks and 2021 Imprezas, because of a problem affecting the continuously variable transmission (CVT) in their vehicles.

According to the NHTSA defect report, last December during assembly line sampling, a lower than specified torque was discovered on a vehicles CVT select lever cable nut. Subaru opened an investigation and determined that an improper torque technique was used by a specific associate and multiple vehicles were found to have the problem. As a result, Subaru have expanded the vehicle recall to all vehicles built at this workstation.

If the CVT select lever cable nut is not tightened properly, it could loose retention and the transmission gear select may not function properly. If the gear select does not function properly, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Subaru will be contacting owners and instructing them to return to their dealers to have the CVT cable nut inspected and tightened as necessary. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-024.