This topic is likely a precurrsor to HT CVT failure
This is likely the HT CVT failure. It is either the entire system or the pressure valve that engages/locks the CVT. Luckily it should be covered by the new warranty extension. It would've been covered by my lifetime powertrain as well.
Let me back up though.
I have a '14 Forest XT Premium with 104,xxx miles on it
1st Issue that showed up was an overboost type without any power being delivered. It would happen from time to time, but the most common instance was when merging onto the highway and punching it. Boost would spike (using the digital built in as reference), RPMS would fly up, but the car would barely accelerate. This happened several times and I was due for an oil change so I brought it in. Paid the $150 diagnostic fee for them to run their "transmission test." I didn't care because it had to be something. Initial report was that they couldn't find anything and I ate the $150 or whatever it was. Oil was changed and despite having nothing to do with the transmission the slip/boost surge/whatever you want to call it was better.
2nd issue that presented itself was about a week after the above service. This is when the lurch/jerk showed up. It showed up exactly as described, under slight acceleration. Speed would hit about 25 to 30 and then the RPM would drop, the car would lurch, and carry on as normal. Super annoying in traffic and plain uncomfortable after a few times. I have the liftetime powertrain warranty so I thought "meh" next time I am by the dealership I'll get one of the techs to take a quick ride and prove somethings wrong. I didn't get that chance. I merged into traffic (pedal down because why not
) and when I settled into cruising speed the dash lit up. Everything was turned off, CEL, and At Oil flashing. Great, At Oil means something bad with the transmission.
So I brought the car in, they looked at the codes, dead lined the car, and pushed it back into the service bay. After 3 hrs of initial inspection it was narrowed down to either a pressure valve failing inside the CVT that was preventing it from fully locking or the whole thing being toast. I had to commit to a possible $300 fee to drop the transmission and pan. If it was just the valve the fluid would be fine and be a ~$1200 fix (w/o warranty). If there were metal shaving present it would be a new HT CVT and ~$7000 (w/o warranty). Well, I just heard back and there is an extreme presence of metal shavings and the thing is absolutely toasted. Luckily the new warranty release was sent out before they cracked into anything and everything will be covered. However, I'll be out of my car for another 2 weeks because there are not many HT CVTs hanging out on the shelf.
So I'd say be careful and get these things checked out if you have a high mileage XT like mine. The car drove safely when it failed, but I only put an extra 10 miles on it once all the warnings came up. My dealership has always been great and continues to be so. I do drive rather spiritedly and utilize S# a good amount. However, my understanding when I bought this thing was that the HT CVT was more than capable of handling the abuse for a very long time.
I am getting pretty pissed off with Subaru. The reason I got into an XT was because my previous forester suffered from the excessive oil consumption. My engine was rebuilt twice and landed in the time frame before it was a known issue. They offered to buy it back at a KBB excellent value and give me some money towards a new subaru model. That car spent months on end in the shop before I was able to move on and up to the XT. Now this XT transmission is toasted. Luckily the whole thing will be replaced and not just one component.
Best of luck!
