Was driving an first 3rd gear would just rev then it started skipping 3rd then I would have to slowly push gas to move an eventually it just revved up I would park an wait 15-20 min start it an transmission worked for a couple min then stopped an it still works barely off an on it has fluid but when it doesn't work the shifter can be in any position an transmission won't engage at all. *Js
1990-1997 · 7 model years
Subaru SVX Problems by year
Owners have filed 291 complaints about the Subaru SVX across 7 model years, and it has 0 recalls. The 1992 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (231). The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the suspension.
- Complaints
- 291
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 6
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Deaths
- 0
SVX complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common SVX problems
Latest SVX complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 1992 subaru svx. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the transmission seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who advised that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
My 94 subaru svx transmission will not move in any gear. Very costly to repair subaru should pay. Poor design in transmission *tr
My subaru svx transmission recently started suffering a delay when shifting gears, high revs and slipping while shifting and just now I tried to drive it and a clunking sound happened when putting the car in reverse. Now it won't go in to reverse at all, also, 1st gear doesn't work half the time and the rest of the forward gears seem to slip severely most of the time too. The car has low mileage, and I have not had any trouble with it before. Trouble started maybe a few days ago.. The heat transmission installed in...
Read the full complaint
the subaru svx and legacy models suffer from a severe cooling problem. The radiator based transmission cooler can not cool the transmission fluid cool enough. The transmissions poor design does not allow the lubricant to flow through it to keep parts lubricated(thus more friction and heat damage). Unusual high overdrive places additional side loads on bearings generating heat. The all-wheel-drive system puts even more strain on the transmission causing even more heat. This problem is of epidemic proportion so common among over 90% of these cars manufactured. Subaru is aware of the manufacturing and engineering defects in the transmissions for all svx models. Almost all svx owners, every website, and even your own complaint files are aware of this major defect and specific problems with the transmissions. Subaru has done nothing if anything to correct this problem. This problem is widespread and the manufacturer knows about it. At the very least I need subaru to replace my defective transmission with a new one upgraded with high clutch drum and thrust bearings, new reverse clutch steel plates, modified transmission case, oil pump gasket and transfer clutch driven plate, a transmission oil filter kit and an after transmission oil cooler and warranty it. This car is too expensive to fix the damage from their defective design and unusually high cost compared to other transmissions. *Tr
Transmission failure. No specific event or activity lead to the failure. Transmission worsened over a period of weeks - rough shifts and eventually unable to get into all gears. *Tr
I own a subaru svx. They are known to have transmission problems. They are also a very rare car. Out of the two other people that I know that have these cars, all of them have had these transmission problems. I do believe that the manufacturer should do something about these problems with there faulty transmissions, instead of me having to find a way to come up with more then what I paid for the car. *Tr
Questions about the Subaru SVX
Which Subaru SVX years have the most problems?
Which Subaru SVX years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Subaru SVX problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (246), suspension (22), brakes (10) most often.
How many recalls does the Subaru SVX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for any Subaru SVX model year on file.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data