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2019 Subaru Ascent Transmission Problems

79 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

79
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crashes
Jan 2020Dec 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Transmission Recalls (3)

RECALLCampaign #19V855000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.

RECALLCampaign #21V955000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

RECALLCampaign #19V519000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.

Owner Complaints (79)

criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2026

Component/System Failed: The vehicle’s CVT transmission and related transmission components. The transmission and associated components have been replaced multiple times by authorized Subaru dealerships. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

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NHTSA #: 11719891
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2025

While driving on the highway, my vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate—this is the second time this has happened, with the first incident occurring in June 2022.

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NHTSA #: 11674836
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2023

Vehicle has completed all transmission recalls. Until recently, Subaru continued to say that the issues I was experience with loss of power or glitchy shifting could not be duplicated.

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NHTSA #: 11539632
criticalPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2022

Vehicle has experienced total loss of power while driving under normal circumstances. This has occurred in a drive-thru, at 45 and 50mph, and also twice during 70mph highway driving. The entire vehicle shuts down and multiple dash board lights illuminate at the time of power loss.

NHTSA #: 11488247
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2026

We have been dealing with issues with this vehicle since 2024. We had 3 open recalls which we took into the closest dealership to us and things were okay for a few months and then started having issues again.

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NHTSA #: 11722197
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2024

The CVT experienced a catastrophic failure, later identified as "the chain" by a Subaru dealer mechanic. The night before the incident, the transmission "slipped" and made a metallic clunking noise when merging onto a highway. On the day of the incident, the transmission failed completely after turning onto a roadway from a stop sign.

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NHTSA #: 11620833
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2023

I have been asking Subaru to fix the transmission for 2 years now. It seems like it’s going to stall between 20-25 MPH and 45-50 MPH. There is a torque converter shutter but I’m told that the car is fine.

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NHTSA #: 11538566
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 30 minutes.

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NHTSA #: 11531652
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11518757
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

Transmission completely failed last year April 2021 in the middle of Highway and car is stalled. Tow to dealership for transmission replacement. After almost a 1 year of driving the transmission problem is coming back with gears are slipping again.

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NHTSA #: 11469132
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

transmission failed in traffic lane at a traffic light, causing loss of mobility. I called Police to secure seen, they responded and towed vehicle to dealer. my wife and Grandson were in the car and we could not move it out of the traffic lane the dealer has replaced the transmission, and are working to reimburse towing charges.

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NHTSA #: 11468009
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

The car hesitates when I step on the gas, feeling like it stalled. This has happened since I purchased the vehicle and the dealer says I don't have a problem. I have pulled out into traffic only to have the car "stall' and I sit waiting to be hit.

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NHTSA #: 11465874
highPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2021

On Friday, June 28th, we were driving the Ascent, towing our 4100 lb. camper from Tehachapi, CA, headed north toward Las Vegas. When we stopped for gas in Tehachapi, we checked all fluids including the oil.

NHTSA #: 11421600
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2021

Purchased the ascent new, have had the vehicle in multiple times with transmission complaints only to have "updates done", transmission recently went completely out while turning across traffic in front of oncoming traffic, vehicle towed to closest dealership, transmission replaced, drove less than 30 miles, car still hesitating while trying to switch gears around 40mph and whining noise (same as initial 3 complaints prior to transmission going out completely).

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NHTSA #: 11404559
highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2021

On 24th december vehicle in motion on a highway whining noise observed and transmission disengages, RPM increased. In a few seconds transmission error message flashed in console, in addition check engine light comes on and all driver aids disabled, struggled to take control and pull off highway safely. Vehicle 20 months old less than 20,000 miles.

NHTSA #: 11388428
highPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Jun 2020

When trying to accelerate around a truck on a highway, the car refused, felt like it was going to stall and every light on the dashboard lit up. My speed was probably around 60mph, when I tried to quickly get around this truck. It was full of furniture that I felt was loaded in an unsafe manner.

NHTSA #: 11331614
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2025

I purchased the car brand new in 2019. Shortly after purchasing, the transmission started having hesitation and slipping. I took the car back to the Subaru, and they replaced the transmission under warranty.

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NHTSA #: 11661510
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2025

When trying to maintain highway speeds (65 to 70 MPH) and driving in mountainous terrain of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or New York, the vehicle will shudder as if it is loosing power. The vehicle will rapidly loose speed. No warning code is issued.

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NHTSA #: 11651625
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2025

Yes, inspect it. Bought 2019 Subaru Ascent from Carvana, March of 2022. 5 months later, the transmission started to low screech and hard shift.

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NHTSA #: 11636416
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and attempting to accelerate on several occasions, the vehicle jolted forward while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer software needed to be updated.

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NHTSA #: 11612368
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2024

Purchase the car two weeks ago the first night on the way home it was acting up just like it did when I test drove it and was told by the BMW dealership Aristocrat Motors in Topeka Kansas that they would fix anything that was wrong with it.

NHTSA #: 11610583
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2024

While driving on a road with a lot of hills our car sudden lost all engine power but all of the lights and engine were still on. We pulled over but kept the car on and it seem to resume power. Then about 1/8 of a mile later it happened again.

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NHTSA #: 11609206
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2023

The right front wheel was making an airplane type noise. Upon taking it to Belle Tire in Gaylord, MI, they confirmed it was a defective bearing When the mechanic pulled the wheel off, the CV Shaft pulled apart. It had to be replaced.

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NHTSA #: 11539812
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Jan 2023

2019 subaru ascent. Consumer writes in regard to to NHTSA safety recall 21v-955. The consumer received a recall notice and was informed by the dealer to wait for the 2nd recall notice.

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NHTSA #: 11503153
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2023

As I am going up a hill I will be pushing on the gas and the engine will rev up loudly and the RPM will increase but the vehicle speed won’t increase or it decreases as I’m trying to accelerate. This is dangerous because the people behind me are expecting me to be speeding up to go up the hill but my vehicle will be slowing down and won’t let me increase speed.

NHTSA #: 11501696
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

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NHTSA #: 11477517
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11473521
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2022

It has been since February and they still do not have a fix for recall 21V-955 I have called the dealership several times without a solution.

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NHTSA #: 11473386
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue.

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NHTSA #: 11472424
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

As I am driving when I move from coasting or light throttle application to applying the throttle there is a grinding sound and hesitation/momentary lack of engagement form the transmission. This is very concerning when traveling.

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NHTSA #: 11470201
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue.

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NHTSA #: 11470283
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11469395
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

In past 6 months, Subaru has done nothing about NHTSA Recall Number21V955000. No explanation from local dealer that sold the Subaru Ascent to me in January 2019.

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NHTSA #: 11468750
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue.

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NHTSA #: 11467941
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available.

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NHTSA #: 11467820
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11467147
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2022

My transmission slipped for 6 months and was finally replaced just recently at 47,000 miles.

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NHTSA #: 11466885
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated.

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NHTSA #: 11466778
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11466805
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11466369
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11465746
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2022

This safety recall is open since November 2021 and the manufacturer still has not initiated repairs , how long are consumer supposed to drive their vehicles with this serious safety issue risking safety ? why has NHTSA not initiated action against the company ?

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NHTSA #: 11463599
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.

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NHTSA #: 11454019
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11453698
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

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NHTSA #: 11452113
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the contact was attempting to shift gear, the gear selector failed to operate as designed. The failure occurred on cold starts.

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NHTSA #: 11450923
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2021

2019 Subaru Ascent purchased new. The car only has about 25,000 miles on it now. I have had several incidents when driving on a curved road about 30 miles an hour the transmission jerks and causes the whole car to shudder abruptly sevral times in a row.

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NHTSA #: 11445364
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that occasionally at start-up and while driving up an incline, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

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NHTSA #: 11444003
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and shudder upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would resume normal operation soon after failure.

NHTSA #: 11441916
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting from PARK to DRIVE, the RPM abruptly went up from 1,200 to 4,000. The contact shifted the vehicle into NEUTRAL to check if the accelerator pedal was stuck but found no obstruction to the pedal.

NHTSA #: 11442028
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2021

Vehicle has continued to make squealing noise and shuddering since previous transmission recall was addressed. This has occurred at speeds from 10-75 MPH. It happens multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times each day.

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NHTSA #: 11402599
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 subaru ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle would independently shift out of the drive position. As a result, there was a loud knocking and screeching noise coming from the vehicle.

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NHTSA #: 11387862
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2021

Car just doesnt start and needs to be jumped randomly, yet dealership service dept could find no probelms. Also wierd lags, noises occuring while driving. This car is too new and has 18,000 miles on it, shouldnt be having these types of problems.

NHTSA #: 11387725
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2020

Currently my car is being repaired at subaru dealership had issues with vibration they are seeing if it's a transmission problem apparently there was a recall with the 2019 subaru ascent I never received one but I am having transmission issues and they are looking into what the deal is I'm just wondering why I never got a recall this is dangerous god for bid my car or to slow down or stop when I'm driving I don't understand why I never got the notice

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NHTSA #: 11349143
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2020

Check engine light - diagnosis ' vehicle loses power after rapid acceleration above 45mph. A whooshing sound occurs and then acceleration is limited. All warning lights flash including 'check engine.' this has occurred once about a month ago and diagnosed as a poorly replaced gas cap'although it was actually on securely.

NHTSA #: 11307822
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2020

Car was shaking while idling/ shifting hard/ studdering while trying to shift and not shifting while going up an incline. The transmission was damaged from the slack in the CVT belt and now has to be completely replaced. Also the battery died.

NHTSA #: 11299965
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2019

IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT GETS POWER AND JUMPS.THIS HAPPENS ALMOST 2 OR 3 DAYS IN A WEEK.IT HAPPENS IN CITY STREET.

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NHTSA #: 11288941
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V855000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE. FURTHERMORE, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING, SQUEAKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE STEERING/SUSPENSION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SHOOK FORWARD AND BACKWARDS, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS MADE AN ABNORMAL BUZZING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUENTE HILLS SUBARU (17801 E GALE AVE, CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91748, (626) 626-4800) MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR#:1-50458273772. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

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NHTSA #: 11288751
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2019

ISSUE #1: TRANSMISSION. STARTING AROUND 8000 MILES, A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WOULD OCCUR PERIODICALLY DURING AUTOMATIC SHIFTING. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY WHILE OBTAINING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LATER IT WOULD HAPPEN AT CITY STREET SPEEDS. THE SQUEALING SOUND WOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SHUTTERING FEELING AS WELL. WE LIVE 3 HOURS FROM THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE CAR WAS JUST 'GETTING TO KNOW US'. AS THIS PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WORSENED, WE WERE FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AT 12,000 MILES AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND SAID WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT WAS ON 9/27/19. WE ARE AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING A LOANER. ISSUE #2: ELECTRICAL ISSUE. TWICE ALL OF THE ENGINE WARNING/DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD. THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 9800 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (SUBARU DEALER IS 150 MILES AWAY) AND HIS COMPUTER DIAGNOSED A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND HE REBOOTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALL SEEMED OK WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR A WHILE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AROUND 11,000 MILES WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT CITY STREET SPEEDS AND THE NEXT MORNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS BACK TO NORMAL. IN TALKING TO THE SUBARU DEALER BY PHONE, THEY SAID THERE WAS PROBABLY JUST A BUG IN THE SYSTEM AND IT CAN FIX ITSELF. AT THE 12,000 MILE APPT, NO ISSUES WERE DISCOVERED WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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NHTSA #: 11270567
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2019

WE ARE NOTICING PERIODIC ISSUES WITH THE CVT IN THIS NEW CAR. OCCASIONALLY WE GET A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE, A SOUND LIKE A BELT SLIPPING, A LOSS OF POWER, AND A SUDDEN BUMP WHEN THE CVT SEEMS TO ADJUST TO THE SITUATION AND RETURN POWER AND NORMAL DRIVING. INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE REPORTING THE ISSUE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THE USUAL DEER-IN-HEADLIGHTS RESPONSE. THEY HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE HERE. MOST RECENT EVENT I RECORDED WAS ON 8/28 11;00 AMISH ON I-5 NORTH OUT OF TACOMA TO SEATAC, DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

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NHTSA #: 11252259
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2019

AT 16462 MILES ON ODOMETER, WHILE DRIVING ON HI WAY AT 65 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STARTED SMOKING SEVERELY FROM THE TAIL PIPES. PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. RESTARTED SEVERAL MINUTES LATER CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND WOULD NOT MOVE. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY STATED THE PCV VALVE BROKE APART, SUBARU WANTS THEM TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE TO SEE HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE. STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING, CAR IS SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE SERVICE AREA NOT BEING WORKED ON.

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NHTSA #: 11252174
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2019

WHEN DRIVING OUR ASCENT ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY WE HAVE EXPERIENCED RPMS JUMPING AND SQUEAKING/SLIPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY. ITS VERY DISHEARTENING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH A BRAND NEW CAR THAT YOU'VE SPEND OVER $40K ON. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE SOME VIDEO OF THE CONTROL PANEL AS THIS HAPPENS.

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NHTSA #: 11251817
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2019

WHEN DRIVING CAR AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE CAR LOSES POWER, RPM INCREASE AND DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY ACCOMPANIED BY A SCREECHING SOUND. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 15K MILES AND HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A THREE WEEK PERIOD.

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NHTSA #: 11240739
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2019

WHEN HOLDING SPEED CONSTANT BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, OR UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION IN THIS RANGE, VEHICLE SEEMS TO JERK, SURGE, PULSE, OR SIMILAR. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO BEING IN THE CAR WITH SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

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NHTSA #: 11234998
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2019

CVT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING, RPMS WILL JUMP UP BY 1-2K, STAY AT THAT LEVEL FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN DROP DOWN. WHEN IT DROPS, CAR WILL SHUDDER OR ACCELERATE. OCCASSIONALLY A SCREECHING OR GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IS NOT PREDICTABLE. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS IF 65 AND ABOVE; AND IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY ROADS AT SPEEDS OF 30. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE TRIP; OR IT MAY GO A WEEK BETWEEN EVENTS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT, SAYS IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT THEN THE "BEST CASE SCENARIO" FOR A DIAGNOSIS IS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND FOR US TO BE STRANDED. A INTERNET SEARCH FOR "SUBARU ASCENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" REVEALS THAT THIS IS A RARE PROBLEM, BUT SEEMS TO DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT ASCENTS BUILT IN AUGUST OF 2018. SUBARU ALLEGEDLY IS REPLACING THESE TRANSMISSIONS ONCE PROBLEM IS DIAGNOSED, BUT IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD REPLACE THEM ALL PROACTIVELY.

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NHTSA #: 11220042
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 70-80 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH SUBARU OF RIVERSIDE (LOCATED AT 8069 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 428-2314) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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NHTSA #: 11218968
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2019

WITHIN 5000 MILES TRANSMISSION JUMP, REAR GEAR NOT WORK AND THE RAB LIGHT, DEALER TOLD ME HE MUST REPLACE! I FIND A LOT OF STORY ON WEBSITE, PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUE AND SAME AMOUNT OF MILEAGE

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NHTSA #: 11210528
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2019

THE SUBARU ASCENT WAS PURCHASED AUGUST 2018 (ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO) AND THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 14,000 MILES. THE CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AROUND MARCH 16TH, 2019, CAUSING INTERMITTENT VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS WOULD OCCUR AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, AND WOULD OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR WOULD STRUGGLE INTERMITTENTLY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. INITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS SPORADIC, BUT WITH EVERY DAY GREW MORE FREQUENT. AFTER BEING TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO BE EVALUATED, THE DEALER REPORTED THAT WHILE THE TECHNICIAN WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THIS FAILED ONE. TOTAL TIME FROM ONSET OF PROBLEM TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS ABOUT 2 WEEKS WITH REGULAR DAILY DRIVING.

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NHTSA #: 11192554
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2019

OUR ASCENT STARTED HAVING A SQUEAL AND RPM JUMP AROUND 6000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD ONLY MAKES THIS NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP UNTIL THE CHAIN/BELT WOULD RESEAT AND THE RPM RETURN TO NORMAL. IT THROWS NO WARNING CODES BUT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT SUBARU HAS REPLACED SOME AND THEY ARE DOING SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TO FILE A CLAIM WITH SUBARU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO INITIATE A FIX FROM THE SUBARU ENGINEERS. TOTALLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT 65-70 AND THEN IT STALLS OUT BEFORE IT FIXES ITSELF.

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NHTSA #: 11165954
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2025

Over the past few months the transmission has started randomly refusing to engage. When entering the expressway, you will press the accelerator, and the engine will rev and the vehicle will not accelerate at all. Then you let off the accelerator, let the engine RPM drop back down to idle, and press again and it will accelerate.

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NHTSA #: 11702574
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2025

Transmission belt broke while driving resulting in a catastrophic failure.

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NHTSA #: 11645838
lowPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2023

2019 Subaru Ascent was taken to mechanic due to jolting between 1000RPM and 1500RPM. Car was not throwing any code. Mechanics then did other test and it was determined the transmission is failing.

NHTSA #: 11554715
lowPOWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2023

On speeds of about 70+, both on cruise control and off, car jerks for about 5-10 seconds when accelerating on steep hills. It also happens after the car has been driving for more than 1hr or so. Fuel consumption is about 19-20mpg regardless of highway only driving contrary to advertised

NHTSA #: 11502524
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while accelerating and shifting gears, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately accelerate as designed.

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NHTSA #: 11480233
lowPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Apr 2022

Car was parked and had foot on brake when car suddenly lurched forward and hit a car in front. At first I thought that my foot had slipped off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal but after reviewing the incident later in the day, I do not believe that my foot slipped.

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NHTSA #: 11461864
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2022

Due to an improper program, the CVT chain may slip, resulting in breakage of the chain guide. If the chain guide breaks, fragments of the guide could inhibit the shift select mechanism. If the vehicle continues operation with the drive chain slipping, over time the CVT drive chain could break.

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NHTSA #: 11457465
lowPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2022

I have received numerous recalls on this model and failed to receive WUV-07. Now they have sent WRK-21 to replace WUV-07 and tell me the tools and reprogramming should arrive by May and they will contact me again. This is a drive train slippage issue (something I have been complaining about since I purchased the car) and very hazardous.

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NHTSA #: 11451825
lowPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2021

Several times our 2019 subaru ascent battery has drained down to low levels requiring jump starts. This last time was this winter and -15 degrees outside and was very dangerous for her. The alternator does not seem able to keep up with the load.

NHTSA #: 11396263
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2020

In low speed when wanting increase speed, the engine loses power and briefly sputters and then recovers and accelerates. Usually happens when trying to accelerate when going up hill and from slow, right turns. Usually at highway speed, it can quickly accelerate.

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NHTSA #: 11296891

Other 2019 Subaru Ascent Issues