Strange chirp from transmission on my 2016 3.6R outback

At least Subaru is aware of the issue and if the transmission fails in the future you will have documentation of past issues.

I guess that is one way to look at it. At least customer service has a record of it. Because I dont think they really know where it is coming from. two installed new transmissions and only 33K miles

Have you figured out what the chirp noise was? I have a 2015 Legacy, all highway miles.. at about 100,000, mine started doing the same thing, except it makes this noise almost every time I shift in to drive. The mechanic said he thought it was the transmission mount, as they are soft and designed to sheer.. but after inspection it was not.

I have the same problem! Had the transmission replaced, and the sound came back with the new transmission a few days later.

Hello, I purchased a CPO 2015 Outback 3.6r in March 2018, and am now on my 3rd transmission as well. I just received a call stating this is a "normal operational sound" and that there is nothing they can do to fix it. This is extremely disappointing. No other car I've ever driven makes this kind of sound, and it honestly ruins my faith in the vehicle. I'm uncomfortable putting money into it (was planning to make into an overlander) if this may cause problems down the road.

I bought my 2018 3.6R outback 6 months ago and I have noticed this issue as well. Have not brought back to dealer yet but I remember people saying it has something to do with some bearing in the transmission. When your car engine is cold,shifting from Reverse to Drive, you will go to Neutral first (rpm would go up ) and then when you shift to Drive where the noise will occur. When you car is warmed up, then you will notice when you shift from reverse to Neutral to Drive, idling will not change from R to N to D which most of the people been saying when the car is warmed up , noise would just go away. So just go to your dealer , ask them to jack up the car while the car is cold, start the engine, go to reverse then shift to drive then they should be able to pin point where the noise is (having a video camera is pretty handy, that is what I am going to do, record the noise so dealer can not deny this problem). Hope this helps!

Continuing from my earlier post, I have been dealing with Subaru and my dealership now for over 6 months, and have had 2 new transmissions put into my car. They actually did put it on their stand and located the sound, but their solution was a new transmission. After 2 new transmissions (all making the sound) I was told it is a "normal operational sound" for the 3.6r and sent me on my way. This is actually my 2nd 2015 3.6r (long story) but my first did not make this sound. Being told to "deal with it" and even being joked about "turn up the radio when i start the car" is insulting. I am extremely disappointed in Subaru and so upset with my experience.

I was having the same noise on my 2011 Subaru Legacy. My mechanic diagnosed it within a few minutes. Apparently an exhaust hanger broke and the end was rubbing on the transmission case. When the speed reached a certain level 40-60MPH it would vibrate just right to cause the squeak. When he removed the hanger, the noise was gone.

I am having the exact same problem. The noise is a very quick "chirp" that occurs when I move the transmission selector to Drive on a cold start. The noise only occurs one time. I tried immediately shutting off the engine and restarting the car and the noise did not recur. The car is 13 months old with about 23,000 miles. This issue just started a few weeks ago. I have not yet taken the car to Subaru.

I have this issue too on my 2017 Outback Touring 3.6R. It chirps/squeals on the way to work in the morning. Usually only once or twice. There's also a slight almost imperceptible shudder as if the transmission slips and engine RPM bump up very slightly during the squeal. I've reported the problem since the car was just past new, perhaps at 15,000 miles or so. And on every service visit since. The one day after a drive back to the bay area from lake Tahoe, the next morning when I started the car, the dash lit up like a christmas tree. I shut off the engine and restarted, but the CEL remained ON and a transmission warning light was on. The dealer kept the car for 2 weeks, test drove it for more than 100 miles after clearing the codes, and finally heard the noise. They worked with Subaru over the phone to analyze the problem. Then my case escalated to the dealer's master mechanic. They thought they would replace the CVT, but in the end Subaru advised them to replace the CVT's valve control body. It's been several months since that repair and the noise has returned. Now it occurs more often than before both on the way to work and on the way home. I drive 35 miles each way to work. Even though Subaru extended the warrantee on the CVT to 100,000 miles, this whole uncertainty about quality and longevity provoked me to purchase an extended 8 year, 120,000 Gold bumper to bumper warrantee. It cost just over $2000 from a dealer in Irvine, CA. I'm scheduled to return to the dealer next week for an oil change and a look-see to evaluate the transmission again.

Dump it before the warranty runs out!

Definitely going to get rid of this Subaru before the warranty is out. On the second transmission and the replacement is doing the same thing.

This is why I won't even consider the Ascent with the CVT.

This is caused by an exhaust shield. Check the sheilds

I had the same problem with my 2017 3.6R. The "chirp" sound was traced to left from wheel axle spline having rust. This was sorted out under warranty a year ago and the sound went away, but started to return after a few months. Car is about to go back again to have it checked out.

I have the same issue with my Forester XT with the TR690 CVT. It lets out a chirp when shifting to D after the car has been sitting for a a few hours. There is the chirp along with a slight jolt forward after about 1.5 seconds of selecting D if I don’t have my foot planted on brake pedal. Transmission specialist thought it was the CVT belt slipping slightly due to old CVT fluid. Flushing the system fixed the issue for about 15000km but it has now returned. They think it could be a solenoid but it’s going to be thousands to replace and may not fix problem. I’ve owned about 6 Subaru’s and have been loyal to the brand but this issue has me wondering. My parents Hyundai is a more refined car that’s half the price. Disappointing Subaru consider the noise ‘normal’.

I have the same issue with my 2016 3.6 Outback. Have taken it to two Subaru dealers and they can't hear it. MobileTech found it the first time they drove it and said it is definitely CVT related. Mine does the chirp when first put in gear, then will screech and momentarily disable forward propulsion usually in the 40-to 50mph range.