2024 Subaru Wrx

On February 3, 2026, while driving approximately 80 mph on Interstate 10, the manual transmission shifter bypassed the 6th gear detent entirely and moved toward the reverse gear position, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. I prevented full reverse engagement only through physical intervention. Had the transmission engaged reverse at 80 mph, catastrophic drivetrain damage and loss of vehicle control would have resulted. The vehicle was taken to El Paso Subaru for a Subaru-authorized inspection on February 9, 2026. As of March 18, 2026 (37+ days), the transmission remains disassembled. A Subaru corporate engineer inspected the vehicle but the report has not been shared with me. The vehicle maintenance app confirms the car was last moved March 12 and has been sitting idle since. Subaru is pursuing a warranty denial based on aftermarket modifications without demonstrating specific causation as required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Subaru Case #260204-2202126.

Driving kids home from school and while making a left hand turn through a large intersection, when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear I heard an immediate pop and then it lost all power in third while sounding like a bag of gravel under the car. I could have easily lost power while merging on a highway instead of a lower speed turn and endangered the welfare of my two daughters. Subsequent tear down by Parkway Subaru confirmed that 3rd gear had experienced catastrophic failure with hardly any gear teeth remaining on 3rd gear. I have found the problem reported numerous times online, specifically third gear. The transmission was inspected by a Subaru of America specialist, who then denied that it was a manufacturer issue. No warnings or signs of mechanical failure prior to the incident. Shifting had been normal and routine throughout lifetime of the car (1 year 15k miles). I had to wait 2 weeks to be told they were denying warranty or good will assistance on a year old vehicle purchased new. I have been driving a rental car since the incident while my car has been sitting at the dealership. Dealer has been unable to provide specific reasoning for denial of warranty beyond stating that "they feel it is not a manufacturer or material defect". Feelings aren't empirical evidence of failure last time I checked. I have tried to reach SoA agent assigned to my case for three straight days with no communication until this afternoon (5/15) in which I missed their call and they did not respond when I called back within 5 minutes. Attached below are pictures from other consumers who experienced the same failure, as well as a picture of my own failure and are a report on subaru 2022+ wrx models and issues relating to 3rd gear specifically.