2013 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Forester report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 56,000 miles.
NHTSA has 6 owner complaints for the 2013 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11491653 (filed 10/31/2022): “The contact owns a 2013 subaru forester. the contact stated that while coasting downhill into his carport to park his vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed his camper. the vehicle became wedged underneath the camper and all four le…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11388454 (filed 01/16/2021): “This is a follow up to complaint number 11387558. i took my car to the dealership for the replacement of the torque converter..the car was getting worse with shaking, shuddering and stalling. they replaced the torque converter and charged me $1,029.25. the ser…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,290 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Transmission went out · 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Jeep Cherokee: Transmission failure check engine light on · 2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
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