CarMax Sold Me A 2014 Subaru Outback For $15K, Now 9 Months Later It’s Undriveable, and It Needs a New Engine and Transmission

Should you buy a used vehicle from CarMax? Is the 2014 Subaru Outback a reliable vehicle? Twig purchased a used Subaru Outback from CarMax, and nine months later, it needed a new engine and transmission. Here is what all car shoppers need to know.

Posted: April 15, 2025 - 6:40AM
Author: Denis Flierl

Is CarMax a reliable option for used car shoppers, and will its warranty truly provide peace of mind? Let's delve into Twig's experience and the potential risks involved in buying from CarMax.

Here is a story about Twig (heyitstwig25), who takes her experience with buying a car from CarMax to her TikTok video. She purchased a 2014 Subaru Outback from CarMax but can't drive the vehicle because it needs a new engine and transmission.

Twig's experience with CarMax was far from positive, leaving her disappointed and frustrated.

She says, "I bought a 2014 Subaru Outback from CarMax nine months ago, and I can't even drive it. Now the car needs a new engine and transmission."

What does CarMax say about buying a car from them?

"We've got your back" is what their website states. "Our limited warranty covers your vehicle's major systems for 90 days or 4,000 miles, whichever comes first."

The average person drives about 1,000 miles per month, so this will give a buyer about 3,000 miles to find out if the car they just purchased will break down or need expensive repairs.

In fact, unexpected post-purchase issues aren’t limited to older used vehicles like Twig’s Outback. Even buyers of brand-new cars can find themselves dealing with unusual problems that show up suddenly. One striking example involves the new 2025 Toyota Camry, where owners have reported an unlikely issue - squeaking noises tied to the transmission. If you're curious how a modern vehicle fresh off the lot could already have such complaints, you might want to read this report: My 2025 Toyota Camry Isn’t the Only One Squeaking—Other Owners Are Getting Their Transmissions Replaced.

Is this long enough?

First, imagine Twig, who bought a used car that she thought would be reliable. The salesperson told her she could take the car, and if anything happened in the first 90 days, she could return the car, no questions asked.

They told her the Outback was thoroughly inspected, had undergone a 125+ point inspection, and that everything that did not meet their standards had been fixed or replaced. So, the car is in good condition.

The 90 days come and go, and the Subaru Outback is running well with no issues. So far, so good, and she is happy. However, She drove the car for another six months (approximately 6,000 more miles), and then the car began to have problems.

First, the transmission makes noise, so she takes it to a repair shop to see what's going on. The tech tells her that the Outback's CVT transmission has not been adequately maintained and needs to be replaced.

And then she gets more bad news.

The tech told her that when they checked the oil, the oil level was so low that it did not even register on the car's dipstick. Her vehicle was out of oil, and her engine must be rebuilt. It will not cost her $8,000 to fix both on her 'new' car. This is a significant amount, especially considering she paid $ 15,000 for the car initially.

Twig doesn't have the money to fix the car she recently purchased. The tech told her the vehicle was unsafe and that she must leave it parked.

Let's pick up Twig's story.

She says, "Hey CarMax, let's talk about why you sold me a 2014 Subaru Outback for $15,000 less than nine months ago, and now it's already undrivable. It needs a new engine and a new transmission."

"This isn't just bad luck on my part, but negligence on CarMax. I know I'm not the only person who has driven a car off their lot and had this happen less than a year after purchase."

"It makes me wonder if they performed their 125-point vehicle check before selling me this car."

"As reputable as they claim to be, it's kind of ironic that they sold me this Subaru that's now crap less than a year after I've had it."

Twig says she maintained the Subaru Outback well for the 8 months she's had it.

"Now, I'm primarily making this video because I'm hoping CarMax will make this right, and if they don't, I have no issues with continuing to go public until this thing blows up."

CarMax has not responded to her.

"So, CarMax, I really hope to hear from you soon. I've emailed you, called you, and left messages, and on all your social media, I have yet to hear back from you. So, get on that, Thanks."

More About CarMax

Buying a used vehicle from CarMax can be a good option for some, offering a standardized buying experience, inspected vehicles, and warranty protection. Still, it might not always be the cheapest choice.

While CarMax provides a convenient and stress-free experience, including 24-hour test drives and a no-haggling policy, their prices are generally firm. They may be higher than those of traditional dealerships.

Here's a more detailed look:

Pros:

Hassle-Free Experience: CarMax emphasizes a stress-free buying process with no haggling, pressure, or commission-based sales tactics.
Inspected Vehicles: CarMax vehicles undergo a 125+ point inspection and reconditioning process, and they don't sell vehicles with significant issues like flood damage, frame damage, or salvage history.

What is the CarMax MaxCare Plan?

All CarMax vehicles come with a 90-day/4,000-mile limited warranty and optional extended warranties (MaxCare).

The CarMax MaxCare plan typically costs between $1,000 and $4,000, with deductibles ranging from $50 to $600 per repair visit. The exact cost depends on factors like your car's make, model, age, mileage, and the duration and level of coverage the buyer chooses.

CarMax offers all buyers an extended warranty, include the plan's cost in the vehicle's purchase price and rolling it into the car's monthly payment.

Twig did not buy the CarMax MaxCare plan. So, now the Outback's transmission and engine replacement costs are on her and not covered by CarMax.

Is the 2014 Subaru Outback Twig Purchased a Reliable Vehicle?

I wrote a report covering the least reliable Subaru model, the 2013 Outback. The 2013 Subaru Outback history report reveals 12 safety recalls indicated by the NHTSA. The 2013 Outback would be a model and year used car shoppers should avoid. Or at least check it out thoroughly before you buy one.

Common 2013 Subaru Outback problems include oil leaks, faulty airbags, and transmission issues. It's important to note that the problems with the 2013 Subaru Outback usually occur at relatively low mileage.

What About the 2014 Subaru Outback?

Twig could have purchased one of the first 2014 models off the assembly line in Lafayette, Indiana. The transmission issues on her Outback could be a carry-over from the previous year's model. Some 2024 Outback models have been known to have excessive oil consumption issues.

What Other 2014 Subaru Outback Owners Are Saying

Reddit user RainbowCrash27 says, "My 2014 Subaru Outback has what I think is a solenoid failure in the CVT. I had heard at low speeds last week, assumed it was an exhaust issue, and scheduled an appointment with my mechanic next week."

"The "Oil at Temp" light is flashing, the brake light is coming on, and the traction indicator is reminiscent of this issue. I'm now 60 miles by highway away from home and still need to get my car back - do you think it would survive the trip if I'm consistently going at highway speeds?"

"The car is still drivable, and I wouldn't be shifting a lot - I don't know if I can't leave the car in another town when I have work on Monday."

"Also, the car isn't under warranty but I've heard some weird things about dealerships covering CVT issues outside of warranty."

Conclusion.

Ultimately, whether or not CarMax is a good choice for used car shoppers depends on your individual needs and priorities:

If you value a standardized, hassle-free buying experience and are willing to pay a premium for peace of mind, the CarMax MaxCare extended warranty plan might be a good fit.

Market Watch says, "In our 2022 extended car warranty survey of 1,000 respondents, about 40% said they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for coverage. About 69% said they were charged $3,000 or less for their vehicle service contracts. If your CarMax MaxCare warranty costs more than this, you may want to get extended car warranty quotes from third-party providers."

Twig would have had peace of mind if she had purchased the CarMax extended warranty. It would have saved her from paying for expensive engine and transmission repairs.

It's always recommended that a certified technician inspect any used car before you purchase a vehicle. A Subaru mechanic likely would have been able to see that the 2014 Outback that Twig bought had maintenance that had not been performed and would lead to expensive repairs.

It's Your Turn

Have you purchased a car from CarMax, and what has been your experience? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Toyota 4Runner story: Every Time I Take My Toyota 4Runner To The Dealer For An Oil Change, They Tell Me I Need A New Cabin Air Filter, They Aren’t Getting Me Again

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.