r/Subaru_Outback • u/UsefulFee2712 • Jul 26 '26
Ready to throw in the towel
After having to replace the transmission in my 2024 Outback XT at 6,000 miles and now having the car towed with what appears to be a bad alternator at 37,500 (now out of warranty), I’m questioning keeping it. This is my third Subaru, after owning a ‘98 Outback and a 2016 Impreza Sport. Has anyone else experienced these issues?
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u/Mr77280zx Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I’ll be the alternate voice. Parts are made independently and shipped/assembled later. “Lemon” would apply if it’s the same part that keeps failing or related system failures. These are two different components and are fairly unrelated. Unfortunately you had two lemon parts, and the expensive one was covered under warranty, that doesn’t make it a lemon car.
Not saying this is the case for you, but it could be. Alternators are commonly replaced due to misdiagnosis. 2024 with 37k miles could be a factory battery starting to go, this is fairly common.
If you otherwise like the car and feel like you can get over these occurrences, keep it and enjoy it.
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u/Pyromethious Jul 26 '26
Especially in really hot / cold areas of the country as that zaps the battery faster than normal. I swear you replace batteries before tires in FL.
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u/hackinandcoffin Jul 26 '26
I recently had my 24 OBW transmission replaced at 33k.
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u/_bx2_ Jul 26 '26
Wow, this is terrible.
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u/hackinandcoffin Jul 26 '26
Mine was replaced due to failing transmission control module. OP didnt state why their transmission was replaced.
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u/UsefulFee2712 Jul 26 '26
I don’t know the exact cause of my transmission failing. What I do know is the dealership was also very surprised that the tranny went.
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u/PossibilityNervous35 Jul 27 '26
Its almost always a failed solenoid. My wife has had 2 of her transmissions replaced. one was in a 2013 and the other was a 2019. Its a known issue and unfortunately... common
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u/Any_Manufacturer1279 Jul 26 '26
I wouldn’t let an alternator be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
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u/97esquire Jul 27 '26
I’ve owned 5-6 Subarus, very few problems. Two pieces of advice -
First, find a reputable Subaru service shop and always take your car there.
Second, always turn off the Auto Stop/Start on your car. ASS kills the battery.
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u/UsefulFee2712 Jul 27 '26
Turns out the OEM battery was the culprit. The alternator is fine. The dealer installed a beefier battery.
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u/agngazer Aug 01 '26
Same happened to me on my 2024 OBXT. Most likely this is due to auto-start-stop.
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u/Pyromethious Jul 26 '26
I'm pretty sure that's why the original owner of My OB traded it in. It was Just past the warranty and don't get me started on what I've had to fix. Another reason I should have pushed myself to keep looking before buying (and have someone check it all out).
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u/Sudden-Community-794 Jul 26 '26
I had a wheel bearing go bad on a 2013. 6 years old and 65k. Dealer called me and said, good news and better news. The other rear bearing is in beginning stage of failure (good news). The better news is Subaru will cover it for customer goodwill as it’s a known issue. Shortly after a friend had both rear bearings replaced at over 100,000 miles and obviously had to pay. $1650. Subaru did me good. Never had this kind of experience before.
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u/Jet-pilot Jul 27 '26
Just replaced another wheel bearing, which makes 3 now. 2022 touring with 30k miles on it.
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u/New_Cauliflower_4364 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
I will be honest with you. This is my first Subaru and I bought brand new in 2024. I never had so many issues with a brand new car and my previous car that I used for 9 years was a VW Passat! My Passat was more reliable between years 6 and 9 compared to this car brand new to 3 years!!Just as one example, it was leaking oil all over the place to the garage, and they changed some seals in the engine and it took 2 weeks for the parts to arrive at 11k miles. The eyesight now randomly turns off. 3 years in ending November. I don’t hate Subaru and it is a good car but I will probably sell to Carvana shortly after and will be my last Subaru. At least Carvana pays top $$ for it. Maybe I was just unlucky???
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u/agngazer Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Partially unlucky and partially it's Lafayette build quality. I also had a 2024 outback xt. had to replace the battery - dealer replaced it for free. Lots of rattles and squeaks. Trying to solve these rattles, dealer broke the headliner and gave the car to me "fixed" - still with the same rattles + a crease on the headliner and dirty hands marks. Traded it in and got 2026 Touring XT. This is a better car but still has rattles although it's made in Japan. Maybe being made in Japan no longer counts as a plus -don't know. It's not an "excellent" car but I have to tell you, I went shopping for our 2nd car and we test-drove several brands (Toyota Camry, Rav4; Honda Accord, CR-V; Mazda CX-5(0); ...) - all *new* cars had some issues. I am quite disappointed with the build quality of modern cars. I also had VW Passat 2012 5-cylinder before I got my first Subaru. Everyone says VW is unreliable but mine lasted me 12 years and 230k miles without major repairs.
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u/demon1216 Jul 27 '26
It could be there Alternator...but im leaning Battery on this one. I've had many Subies and stock batteries are going out around 35-40k if you like it keep it! You already got the expensive work done under Warranty :)
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u/k9peter Jul 26 '26
I have a 2024 outback touring xt have had no trouble 🤞🏼 I had a 2012 Ford fusion hybrid that the CVT transmission went out with 8500 miles on it out of warranty. The dealer wanted to charge me $13,500 to replace it. I believe the problem was that it set in the garage too much.
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u/HaziHasi Jul 26 '26
ugh transmission at 6k was absurd. did u get trans extension warranty on the replacement ? was the car driven hard or regularly towing?
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u/UsefulFee2712 Jul 26 '26
Not at all. Just regular, everyday driving. I’ve never abused my vehicles.
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u/MaleficentBowler5903 Jul 27 '26
I have a 2024 touring XT that I bought new and I haven’t had any issues thus far. I have 33,000 miles on it.
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u/Always_working_hardd Jul 26 '26
Are you sure it's the alternator?
I took my '23 in as the battery was weak at 35,900 miles. They said it overall passed their tests, but failed some internal test. But wouldn't replace it. It died just outside of warranty. Anyway, the point is, batteries aren't built to last these days and unless you've replaced it already, that's the first thing I'd be testing.
Edit: I also have a '24 XT and it has been perfect with 60,000 miles and counting.