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    Subaru Liberty Gearbox & Transmission Problems

    Are you having problems with the transmission of your Subaru Liberty? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Subaru Liberty transmission issues & faults. We have answered all of the most frequently asked questions relating to problems with the Subaru Liberty transmission.

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    Known issues with the four-speed automatic transmission in the 1996 Subaru Liberty wagon
    Answered by David Morley · 1 May 2024

    Any vehicle of this age has to be approached on an individual basis. It’s likely to have covered a lot of kilometres by now, so any major (or minor) component could be well past its best.

    Any Subaru transmission that doesn’t shift properly or is slow to engage a gear or shudders under acceleration needs to be either investigated further or avoided completely. Don’t forget that the Liberty was all-wheel-drive, so that places extra strain on the transmission as well as making for a more complex arrangement if it does need to be repaired or replaced.

    In high-performance Subarus (such as the WRX) the transmission was something of a fuse if the driver got a bit over-enthusiastic, but in models like the Liberty, the four-speed automatic was a sound unit. When test driving the vehicle, make sure there are no thumps or vibrations when the gearbox shifts down, and try to shift gears manually. The gearbox should respond instantly to manual input, without any hesitation or noise.

    Welding marks at rear axels and wheel suspensions on 2016 Liberty
    Answered by Graham Smith · 23 December 2016

    Couldn't say without at least seeing a photo, but I doubt it's anything to worry about. If you are concerned about it talk to your Subaru dealer.

    Known issues with Outback?
    Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 22 May 2016

    I've just driven the latest Liberty and Forester and can report Subaru's CVT is vastly better than past versions. The cars are also a step up in quality and refinement. I recommend getting the EyeSight safety package.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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