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.
Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what I described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate.' In February, I took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because it was getting louder each passing day. I was advised that the entire exhaust needed to be replaced, and I would be responsible for costs. I brought my car home, unrepaired, and called Subaru of America to file a claim through them. I had repeatedly expressed concerns, and nothing was done, yet I'm expected to foot the bill now. Since February 12th, I have been back and forth with Subaru and just made the appointment to get the exhaust work completed, with a small contribution from Subaru. However, this past Saturday, [XXX] my vehicle caught on fire while driving. I am fine, but my vehicle has now been deemed a total loss. As I was descending the mountain, I smelled the same 'perm solution' smell, and shortly after, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The smoke entered the cabin as I pulled off the road. Upon exiting the vehicle, flames and smoke were visible from the hood. I grabbed my purse and ran, called 911, and watched my vehicle engulfed in flames. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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. Car only has 70,000 miles on it. Also, when car is started at times, there is a very prominent cloud of smoke that comes from the exhaust.
Car has been not able to roll up driver side window for a year randomly. Suddenly 3 years old and battery is draining and RAB and Eyesight and engine light on. Took in and saying can-??t replicate window after they DID replicate it 3 months ago and did not solve issue. Did battery parasitic draw and numerous parts of car are draining battery. Cannot find source.
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. It has been to the dealer multiple times and they say they can-??t find nothing wrong. We drove the mechanic around and it did the exact same thing I explained and he still said they couldn-??t find anything wrong with it. I know this isn-??t normal because when we first bought it, it did not drive like this. I-??ve also had multiple people tell me they are experiencing the same exact issues. This has been going on for about a year now. It also has been doing a few other things as well.
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. I first documented this on 4/7/22 and it randomly occurs every month, once it even happened twice in the same day. I had called the dealership (where I purchased the vehicle and have it serviced) multiple times throughout the spring and summer awaiting parts for the TCM recall with the assumption that this could be the issue. However, my vehicle passed the recall and even after the new TCM was placed on 8/19, I again had the same event on 10/1. Vehicle was taken in on 10/6 for diagnostics on this issue again and nothing found. I do not feel like the dealership has been accurately documenting my issues so I will need to be more persistent in getting someone to address the problem as this could be a serious safety issue.
When starting it blows blue smoke out of tail pipes that lingers in the air. I Bought used on 7/23/22 and previous owner just said it did the same with them. It was taking to Subura dealer to be fixed and they don-??t know what to do to fix it.
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.
Trying to pass an 18-wheeler on PA Turnpike. Weather 68-degrees, sunny day, no precipitation. When accelerating, the vehicle began shaking. There was a stutter in engine, shaking the vehicle. Suddenly a loud bang jolted the car and the Crash avoidance system applied breaks (I was the left passing lane, at a speed of 70 mph, with more than a dozen vehicles close behind). Emergency collision warning, EyeSight warning, check engine, RAB, and numerous dash error alterts illuminated. The parking brake turned on and off without human intervention (it's computer-controlled). The engine shut off and a multiple car fishtail began behind me. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I put the car in Neutral, lurched to the side of the road, and called OnStar. Calls to the dealer have not been returned. I drive elementary children to scouts and sporting events. I can't imagine the horror had they been harmed or worse.
Huge plumes of smoke on startup. Complained to the service department on multiple occasions and even left the car with the dealer service department. They said they could not duplicate my complaint. They said I should take pictures. Can't take pictures when it happens three or four times a month. I think there is something wrong with the engine am afraid of fire or failure of the engine.
Driving from Tehachapi, CA toward Las Vegas towing our camper at about 45-50 mph, we started hearing a knocking that sounded like valve flutter. We drove for about 1 minute looking for a safe place to pull over, but then the knocking grew louder and the oil temp started to rise, so we immediately braked and pulled into the sand (no shoulder). There were no warning lights at any point until we actually pulled over (oil light). After the tow to Subaru Las Vegas, we noted that the battery was dead. On 6-14, Subaru of America told us on a recorded line that the two investigations had concluded and the cause was towing excessive weight. We shared our camper registration and specs with them, showing a dry weight of 4130 pounds, 100 less than the airstream used in Subaru's marketing materials (we tow with empty tanks and less than 100 lbs. of cargo. We also indicated to Subaru of Las Vegas and SOA that on our few previous trips with the camper, we noticed the Ascent revving hard on slight inclines and that it sounded like it struggled to find a gear towing. SOA has not shared a copy of either report. We are asking SOF to repair under the warranty (car has 39K miles). We will asked for the defective engine whenever we are able to pick up the vehicle. We spent over $1000 between towing, flights home from Vegas, renting a substitute vehicle, etc.. Most importantly, this sudden catastrophic failure could have killed us-the failure was so swift (the time from hearing the noise to being stationary was less than a minute and a half) and without warning that we didn't have time to react well and had to pull off into deep sand with no shoulder- a semi truck almost rear-ended us as we pulled over. Then we had to wait in the Mojave heat, arm's length away from traffic whizzing by with my toddler and puppy while the tow truck arrived. The Ascent is the vehicle we purchased to be able to evacuate our family from our wildfire-prone home, so every day we are without it poses risk.
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.
Unknown. Electrical failures including eyesight, the dealers lie about the work they do, the latest was recent - they said sludge was everywhere which causes the timing to be off and said the entire engine needed to be replaced but refused to do so. I do not trust they were honest about the spot welds, as my VIN and contract were mysteriously changed after I took delivery. Battery dies, amp dies, head unit stops functioning for months at a time. Eyesight slams on brakes at last minute. I am told it-??s normal to shut up and leave. For example the last time I took it in less than 30 days ago they said they changed the filters as well. They did not. According to them they owe me a new engine. I have Starlink and documents oil is changed by Subaru yet they claimed they had no record, and it is my fault so I need to replace engine.
All warning lights came on last week May 5th 2021 while I was drivingthecarhone after dropping my daughtertoschool. I pulled over and called the dealership and was advise to take the car in. As I drove the engine started to lag and icouldnotdrive more than 45miles. Took the car to the dealership and found out the transmission was bad. This car is 2 1/2 years old and I've had so many problems with it. When the cvt was replaced the car never run the same, I've taken it to the dealership several times and let them know that there is something wrong with the car. It lags and hesitate duribg acceleration. Unfortunately they could not replicate the issue and that it was normal. Then this happen. I have reported the issue to Subaru of America.
Dark gray-blue smoke from the exhaust on start-up, lasting for several minutes. Large plumes with strong noxious odor. Smoke and fumes have triggered several severe asthma attacks. Noted on most days, since vehicle was purchased new in April 2019. Fuel efficiency is far lower than the 21-27 mpg claimed by Subaru. Actual average is 14 mpg.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elk Garden , WV, USA