Affected Years: 2020 Subaru Outback. Our law firm is also investigating 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Subaru Outback for the same issues.
These issues seem to arise from defects in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU).
The more reliant vehicles have become on technology, the more we rely on that same technology to be present at all times. When it breaks, we are motivated to get it fixed so that we can keep using it. When it doesn’t get fixed, we find ourselves back at the dealership waiting on a repair, or leaving it for days to get fixed this time. There might be easy fixes, things like taking the transmission out of tow mode to avoid downshifts, and manually shifting yourself, but to many, this is more of an in the moment fix than anything you might choose to live with for a period of time. This is something that should work when you need it, but you are well within your rights as an owner to expect Subaru to be able to fix an issue like this so that it works as designed.
It also tells you that you might have an issue with your Subaru that has been reported by other owners, and you may have just learned that you need to contact Guardian Lemon Law and ask for a lemon lawyer to sue Subaru for Transmission Failure (TCU Error) when they can’t fix it after a few tries.
The Symptoms Of The 2020 Subaru Outback Reduced Power Issue
Consumers reporting this issue indicate that the vehicle fails to maintain speed under acceleration, often experiencing a severe loss of power. While the engine itself isn’t losing power, it isn’t transferring to the wheels via the transmission. This is caused by a TCU error, resulting in slippage in the CVT drive chain. There was a safety recall, WUV-07, that defined the issue further as an error where the clutch would engage prior to the chain being fully secured.
The resulting loss of power is noticeable. It manifests itself between 35 and 50 mph. The TCU program needs to be updated as it is causing the CVT sensor to misread the hydraulic pressure, causing chain slippage. Without being corrected, the chain will eventually break.
In the recall, Subaru will update the TCU and conduct an inspection of the transmission. If there is any physical indication that the issue has occurred, the transmission will be replaced. Guardian Lemon Law can provide you with a Subaru Outback Transmission Failure (TCU Error) lemon lawyer if Subaru cannot get this repaired, and you find yourself back at the dealer with it broken again and again. If this is what you are experiencing, you may be eligible to file a lemon law claim for the issue. Guardian Lemon Law can review your case and tell you if your vehicle and situation will qualify.
Lemon Law In California
California Lemon Law, originally written and titled as The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, was passed in 1970 and signed into law in 1971. Its original purpose, and one that is still true today, is to protect and provide resolution for buyers who are experiencing issues dealing with a manufacturer’s express warranty. To qualify, the issue and the vehicle have some qualifications that must be met. You must also be within the statute of limitations as set by state law. More on both of these items later.
If your Outback feels like it is losing power and Subaru is struggling to fix it, Guardian Law Firm can provide a Subaru Outback lemon law attorney to help you confirm that your vehicle meets the qualifications for a lemon law claim. We can file a Subaru Outback defective Transmission Control Unit (TCU) lemon lawsuit if Subaru is unable to make the repair.
The Qualifications For A Lemon Law Claim
The qualifications listed below are straightforward. The key part of any lemon law claim is that the vehicle has been repaired for the same exact issue, without resolution. What constitutes the qualification of a reasonable repair effort is spelled out in the law. The first three items should all be met. The qualifications are:
- The vehicle must be under factory warranty at the time of the initial report, and remain so during all subsequent repair attempts
- The owner of the vehicle has not operated the vehicle in a way that causes or contributes to the reported problem, including improper use or abuse of any kind
- The dealer or representative has been allowed a number of reasonable repair attempts to address the issue. This means a minimum of two attempts for any safety-related issue, and at least four attempts for anything non-safety related
- The vehicle’s cumulative repair time for this issue is greater than 30 days in total, during which the Outback cannot be used by the owner
- The issue being experienced has a direct impact on the safe operation, the actual use, or the value of the vehicle to you
Guardian Lemon Law can provide you with a lawyer experienced in Subaru Outback Transmission Failure (TCU Error) lemon law cases when it’s time to file a lawsuit.
The Statute Of Limitations For Filing A Lemon Law Claim Or Lawsuit In California
Lemon Law in California sets the time limit on filing a lawsuit or claim as the earliest of two different dates directly related to your vehicle purchase and delivery. The first date is one year from the expiration of your vehicle’s factory warranty. The second date is six years from the date you took delivery of your vehicle from the dealer.
Reviews And Filing A Lemon Law Claim
There are a couple of different things we do before we let the client know that a lawsuit is an open option. We’ve already covered the evaluation process. Once that is done, we review the documentation that you need regarding your purchase. Your documentation should address the areas and contain the details listed below:
- The records of your repair trips, including the dates and times for drop off and pickup, and clearly documenting the issues and attempts at repair.
- All electronic communication that shows what was sent to you during the dealership repair efforts
- The original documentation for the vehicle purchase, as well as the warranty details, provided if the vehicle was used and came with a pre-owned certified warranty from Subaru
Winning A Lemon Law Claim
The winning result of any lemon law claim, lawsuit, or settlement is going to be one of two things. The manufacturer conducts a buyback of your vehicle, or replaces the vehicle with a similar or like model. There is always the possibility of a settlement, and it may include a cash payment to you for the resolution of the issue, you keep the car, and agree to bring no additional legal challenges over the vehicle to Subaru.
The buyback option will include all the costs of the first purchase, including tax, tag, and title work, fees, etc. Subaru will deduct a rate per mile for the mileage you put on the truck before the first visit for the repairs. The other item the law requires is that the manufacturer cover your reasonable legal fees. This means that we can sue Subaru for selling you a defective, lemon Subaru Outback, and Subaru will be responsible for it.
The Guardian Lemon Law Zero-Fee Guarantee
When you need to hire a lemon law attorney, there are some important things to consider when it comes to separating Guardian Lemon Law from other legal firms. First is our Zero-Fee Guarantee. It is less a means of enticing clients and more a demonstration of our confidence in our ability to win claims and cases.
The Zero-Fee Guarantee begins with the initial consultations we offer all of our clients. There is no obligation for you to hire Guardian Lemon Law after that meeting is over. If you have another lawyer and are meeting with us for a 2nd opinion on the case, that will also be free of charge. We will be forthright in what we tell you about your case or claim.
When you hire us, and we take on your case, the guarantee also means we will never ask you for upfront legal fees before we start. The same guarantee extends all the way to the end of the case as well. If we don’t win your lawsuit, we do not bill you for representation. Please call Guardian Lemon Law when you need a Subaru Outback defective Transmission Control Unit (TCU) lemon law lawsuit filed by a law firm that believes in itself.
