10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,494 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Subaru Ascent drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2019 Subaru Ascent Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Apr 012019

Ascent

  • 30 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 30. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #28

Nov 292021

Ascent

  • 47,915 miles
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. The contact restarted the vehicle and slowly drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact called a local dealer but was unable to schedule a date to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,915.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #27

Nov 272021

Ascent

  • 53,000 miles
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. The contact called a dealer and an appointment was made to have the vehicle inspected. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #26

May 282021

Ascent

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. Then at about 86 miles outside of Las Vegas coming up a steep grade in hot conditions, we hear a noise that sounded like it could be valve flutter. We drove for another minute (there was no shoulder), and noted that no warning lights were on. Then we heard a louder knocking sound and saw the oil temp indicator start moving quickly to hot, and immediately pulled off onto the shoulder. After our tow to the Las Vegas Subaru dealer, it became apparent that the battery was also dead (this was the second battery replaced under warranty, and we have had to jump both batteries at least monthly over the last 2 years). Last Monday, June 14, Subaru notified us by phone on a recorded line that the investigation had concluded. They determined towing excessive weight to be the cause of the engine failure (thrown rod). We verified the make and model and registration of our camper with Subaru, which at a dry weight of 4134 pounds, is 100 lbs. less than the Airstream used in Subaru's promotional materials. We disclosed to Subaru that the camper has few miles on it and we tow with empty tanks and less than 100 pounds of cargo (2 adults and one toddler). We also told them that on our two prior trips towing, the transmission has revved frequently and it sounds like it can't find the right gear. Subaru has not provided us a copy of either inspection report, and we have been without the vehicle for nearly a month. We are asking Subaru to repair the engine under warranty (39k miles). This sudden failure put our family's safety at risk. We were forced to stop the car in the middle of a high-speed highway without safely moving to an exit- we waited in excessive heat, barely off the road in deep sand without a shoulder for an hour- we were almost hit by a semi truck as we braked.

- Mariposa, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 102021

Ascent

  • 50,000 miles
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). Went to closest dealership related to concern of driving on freeway for safety, was told transmission needed 2 updates (as previously told prior to transmission going out). Now 5th visit while still under factory warranty but will only warranty new transmission for 1 year. Vehicle also had a recall on cvt transmission/chain slip. Car is a safety hazard for myself and others on freeway yet I continue to be sent home with "cvt updates and a continued whining noise" even after this led to transmission failure completely previously. Be very cautious when purchasing a Subaru, issues started on car around Feb. 2020 or 30,000 miles, transmission completely out at 50,000

- Lancaster, CA, USA

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problem #24

Mar 122021

Ascent

  • 44,000 miles
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. Vehicle run time has ranged from approximately 5 minutes to 2+ hours. Vehicle has been checked multiple times by the dealership where it was purchased, who reports that nothing is wrong with it. I have a video of this, but it cannot be uploaded.

- Montevallo, AL, USA

problem #23

Feb 052021

Ascent

  • 19,567 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. I have heard of many other people having this problem. It sat overnight on both occasions.

- Hinckley, MN, USA

problem #22

Dec 242020

Ascent

  • 19,330 miles
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. Second instance of transmission failing after wuv07 recall completed in January 2020. !St instance of transmission failure in city streets @35mph similar behavior transmission light, check engine light and drivers aids disabled, incorrectly diagnosed by master technician as valve body failure after the wuv07 recall the fuel efficiency also dropped. A couple of days prior to 24th December contacted Subaru of America about a shudder noticed observed while driving. Enclosed image has repairs related to transmission, in addition during the 2nd repair the starter also failed and starter was also replaced. In conclusion two unsafe transmission failures in motion after wuv07 recall.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #21

Aug 012019

Ascent

  • 6,991 miles
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. The contact stated that after shifting back into the drive position, the accelerator pedal would apply on its own causing the contact to depress the brake pedal in order to control the speed of the vehicle. The contact managed to make it to their destination safely. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6991.

- Portland,, OR, USA

problem #20

Jan 052021

Ascent

  • miles
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. Happened numerous times since purchase 2019 and 2020, most recent Jan 2021 brought into dealership service larry miller Subaru bosie id.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #19

Aug 122020

Ascent

  • 21,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Wantagh, NY, USA

problem #18

Jun 282020

Ascent 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
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. This is the second time the car has done this and the cvt chain slip was supposedly fixed in a recall N December. This time Subaru said it was a leaky gasket in the inter cooler??

- Severna Park, MD, USA

problem #17

Feb 022020

Ascent

  • 11,841 miles
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. It occurred 2 weeks later 3 more times within two days. I brought it in with the lights on and issue still occurring to Subaru pacific. They cleared codes and tried to recreate issue without success. They released the car back to me after corporate deferred to them. Upon driving out of dealership, the same thing happened only after acceleration above 18 mph'all warning lights back on and sputtering/jerking/loss of power. Whooshing sound. Dealer is in possession of the car again to look into it. Also, there tends to be a grey-blue hue to the exhaust each time car starts.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #16

Jan 132020

Ascent

  • 18,000 miles
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. No doors were left open and no lights were left on. No reason to have a dead battery other than a large parasitic drain while the car is off.

- Hadley, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 022020

Ascent

  • 1 miles
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.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #14

Feb 012019

Ascent

  • miles
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.

- Morrisville, NC, USA

problem #13

Aug 022018

Ascent

  • 1,000 miles
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.

- Rilato, CA, USA

problem #12

Jul 302019

Ascent

  • 9,800 miles
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.

- Ketchum, ID, USA

problem #11

Aug 282019

Ascent

  • 3,500 miles
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.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #10

Aug 222019

Ascent

  • 16,462 miles
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.

- Pell City, AL, USA

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