Hi there,

I'm having gear selection problems with my wife's 2006 2.5 Outback.

When the box is cold selecting 1st and 2nd gears is difficult. It is not smooth and feels very notchy.

After the box warms up, up-shifts are OK, but down shifts (3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st) are still notchy. Sometimes these shifts are impossible. Double de-clutching doesn't make any difference; the gear just can't be selected.

The problem can be replicated most times by shifting from 3rd to 2nd whilst going down a hill (for example slowing down approaching a stop sign).

The car has been back to Subaru a few times, but they are willing or unable to replicate the problem.

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems.

The car's done about 40,000km. Our previous outback had a very smooth gearbox and never exhibited any selection problems so I'm not imagining things

Cheers,

Dave