2021 Subaru Ascent — Known Issues & Recalls

Your 2021 Subaru Ascent's CVT transmission suddenly stopped working when you put the car in reverse while parked in your driveway, with no warning signs beforehand. The transmission couldn't be repaired and requires complete replacement at an estimated cost of nearly $10,000. You noted that 2019 and 2020 Ascent models with the same CVT transmission were recalled or had their warranties extended to 100,000 miles for this exact failure, and your car was manufactured in November 2020 with 80,000 miles.

Your 2021 Subaru Ascent's transmission is not working properly. When driving in traffic, you may notice the vehicle hesitates and the transmission slips, and you might smell a burning odor while driving. A Subaru dealer has confirmed the problem. Fixing this will likely require transmission repair or replacement.

Your 2021 Subaru Ascent lost power and failed to accelerate while driving at 65 mph, even though you pressed the accelerator. The problem happened repeatedly but no warning lights appeared. The dealer diagnosed transmission slipping, where the transmission isn't properly engaging power to the wheels. The issue may require transmission fluid service, filter replacement, or internal transmission repair.

Your transmission failed and needed to be replaced at approximately 50,000 miles. The owner notes that a family member with the same year model experienced a similar transmission failure at around the same mileage.

You hear a loud clunking noise from underneath your car whenever you shift out of park. This appears to be a known issue affecting multiple vehicles of this model based on owner reports. The noise may indicate a problem with the parking brake mechanism that could worsen over time.

Your car's battery keeps draining and dying after just a few days, even after the dealership replaced it. This may be caused by the car's communication module continuously trying to connect to 3G cell towers even when the car is off—a network that's no longer available in the USA. A technician will need to diagnose the exact cause and may need to update your car's software or repair the communication system.

Your sunroof's weather stripping along the back edge is peeling away from the roof, causing increasing wind noise while driving. The adhesive appears to have failed and isn't holding the seal in place anymore. This is a known issue affecting other 2021 Ascent owners. The fix will likely involve removing the old weather stripping and reapplying it with new adhesive or replacing it entirely.

Water is dripping down both second-row seatbelts during heavy rain and has caused mold growth on the carpet behind the second row seats. Your Subaru dealer has confirmed moisture buildup inside the roof near the seatbelt area but hasn't identified the exact source of the leak. The manufacturer has verbally denied warranty coverage and is only offering carpet replacement, without addressing potential damage to the seatbelt retractors or locking mechanisms. The fix will likely require locating and sealing the water intrusion point, replacing affected seatbelts, and treating or replacing moldy interior materials.

Your check engine light came on while driving, followed by smoke coming from under the hood. You pulled over and shut off the engine, but flames then erupted from the engine compartment and spread rapidly, completely destroying the vehicle in 5-10 minutes. The fire originated in the engine area with no apparent warning signs before the smoke appeared. A complete engine and electrical system inspection would be needed to determine the cause of the fire.

Your transmission is slipping and your car isn't accelerating properly — the engine RPMs rev but the wheels don't respond as expected. Multiple warning lights are illuminated on your dashboard. Both your mechanic and the Subaru dealership have determined you need a complete transmission replacement plus related repairs, costing $14,543.98. The repair cost exceeds two-thirds of your vehicle's value, and you're working with Subaru customer service to find a resolution.

Your transmission has failed and requires complete replacement. This is a major repair that will leave your vehicle unable to operate properly until the entire transmission unit is removed and replaced with a new one.

While preparing to park in a parking lot, your vehicle suddenly accelerated and increased speed on its own. Your car struck a parked vehicle, then traveled across the lot over curbs, grass, and landscaping before hitting a building at high speed and causing partial structural damage. The automatic emergency braking system did not activate to prevent the collision. The cause remains unclear — it's unknown whether the accelerator was pressed unintentionally or if there was a system malfunction.

Your car has a persistent fuel smell inside the cabin and in the garage, but the dealer hasn't been able to identify the source after multiple visits. This is occurring at 60,000 miles and doesn't appear to be related to a crash or fire. The fix will likely involve inspecting the fuel system components — including fuel injectors, fuel lines, and the fuel tank — to locate and seal any leaks or evaporative emission system issues.

Your engine is leaking oil from the front differential, and the CVT transmission pump seal is also leaking, causing oil drips underneath your car. Additionally, your brake pads and rotors need replacement at only 35,000 miles, which is unusually early wear. Repairs will likely involve resealing the differential, replacing the transmission pump seal, and installing new front and rear brake pads and rotors.

Your lane assist system is over-correcting and pulling your car toward the center lane even when you're actively steering normally. This happens repeatedly and could cause a collision if another vehicle is nearby when it over-corrects. The issue may require recalibration or replacement of the lane-keeping assist camera or control module.

Your windshield has cracked and is reducing visibility, which is also preventing your forward collision warning system from working properly. Subaru has acknowledged the windshield is faulty but has refused to replace it under the extended warranty. You're concerned about whether this damaged windshield can adequately protect you in a collision or handle normal road debris impacts.

Your windshield chips very easily from road debris, and you've experienced seven rock chips across different states and driving conditions since purchasing the car new in 2021. Each chip creates a large defect that can distract you while driving and potentially compromise the windshield's structural integrity, raising safety concerns about the glass shattering. You've already had the windshield replaced twice in four years. A repair or replacement of the windshield may be needed, and Subaru may need to investigate whether this is a material or manufacturing defect.

Your brakes shudder and lose stopping power when you slow down from highway speeds. This problem keeps recurring even after Subaru has attempted multiple repairs, including a front brake warranty extension program. The issue may require brake system inspection or replacement of brake components.

Your car's automatic braking system engaged suddenly while driving on an empty road with no vehicles in front of you or nearby. This has happened multiple times before, creating a potential safety hazard if another car was following closely behind. The system appears to be activating incorrectly without a valid reason. A diagnostic scan of the forward collision avoidance system and its sensors may be needed to identify why it's triggering false braking events.

Your trunk won't open using the key fob, the rear handle, or the dashboard buttons. The only way to open it is by accessing the internal latch through a port and manually switching it with a screwdriver. This suggests the trunk latch mechanism or its electronic controls have failed and need to be repaired or replaced.