2019 Subaru Ascent Power Train

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. Description of the Failure and Safety Risk: The vehicle has experienced repeated, intermittent transmission malfunctions, including warning lights, loss of power during acceleration, and sudden harsh re-engagement. Most recently, while accelerating through an intersection from a stop, the vehicle briefly lost power and then abruptly surged forward, causing a pronounced lurch strong enough to chirp the tires. This created a serious safety concern. A hesitation or loss of motive power in an active intersection exposes me to potential cross-traffic collisions, while the sudden re-engagement creates unpredictable acceleration and possible loss of control. The intermittent nature of the malfunction makes it impossible to anticipate when it will occur. Dealer/Manufacturer Involvement: The issue has been reported to and inspected by authorized Subaru dealerships multiple times. Because the malfunction is intermittent, dealers have stated they cannot fully diagnose the issue unless warning lights are active at the time of inspection. Subaru corporate customer advocacy has been involved in reviewing the case. Warning Lamps / Prior Symptoms: Intermittent transmission and check engine warning lights have appeared repeatedly over several months. The lights often illuminate while driving and then turn off after restarting the vehicle, despite the underlying issue not being resolved.

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. Each time I bring the car to the dealership, I’m told that because the issue cannot be recreated on the spot, despite codes that are warranted for the QMR to be done they’re unable to inspect or apply the WRK-21 procedure to replace the transmission under warranty. Despite this, my car consistently slips during normal driving conditions. It shudders and surges unpredictably while accelerating in traffic, creating an extremely unsafe situation. Most recently, I was driving with my children when the car failed to accelerate as I attempted to merge across four lanes of highway traffic. I had to coast until I could safely pull over. On other occasions, the vehicle has jolted forward unexpectedly, nearly causing collisions and forcing me to slam on the brakes. This issue is not only recurring—it is dangerous. I am requesting that it be taken seriously and addressed appropriately under warranty.

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. Unfortunately, they replaced it with another full transmission, and very shortly there after, they had to replace it again. Unfortunately, they replaced it with another faulty transmission and now it is at 150,000 miles and needs another transmission. No one offered me to buy back my car with a second transmission replacement. I was told I was trying to scam a new transmission from Subaru. For this third transmission, I had it verified by an independent shop. I have placed a complaint with Subaru and ask them to buy back my vehicle and I have been told it’s unlikely to happen. I am worried about what will happen when the transmission goes out while I’m driving 70 miles an hour down the highway. This is a pattern in the warrants consumer protection. Many other car companies have stopped. Trying to make this CVT because it kept having problems..

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. The only way to solve issue is depress the pedal to increase the RPMs. Took vehicle to dealer and reported that it felt as if the CVT chain was slipping. They said they could not recreate and there was no code.

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. This has happened 3 times in 2 months. Subaru is refusing to replace the transmission because their tech cannot personally reproduce the problem on demand, even though they have voluntarily extended the warranty on this model transmission due to slippage issues. They are instead going to change the transmission fluid, which has less than 1/2 the mileage for a typical fluid service, to mask the issue, risking the safety of passengers.

Transmission belt broke while driving resulting in a catastrophic failure.

Yes, inspect it. Bought 2019 Subaru Ascent from Carvana, March of 2022. 5 months later, the transmission started to low screech and hard shift. I took it to Osteen Subaru dealership. They test drove it, then reprogrammed transmission. Same day while leaving their parking lot, hard shifted and slighty screeched yet again, reprogrammed again. On my way home that day, did it again, problem persisted. Called and told them, asked them about replacing transmission, was told I had to go on waiting list because recall was released yet. Started getting even worse by November 2022. They ended up keeping it for 2 and a half months. Got it back in January 2023. Was told the problem was torque converter lockout. Subaru Company began to have recalls on their CVT Transmission & still refused mine. My VIN # was/and is included in the lawsuit for the extended warranty, & I was still under the manufactures warranty for Drivetrain when this first happened. The last I took it to the dealer I went to a dealer and hr away, was told they wont touch. Subaru of America told me they won't fix either because was out of warranty @100467miles. I explained I went to the dealership several times under 100k miles as it states my mileage on the Service invoices she was looking at on her screen. I have papers being in their shop still under man. warranty. They still refuse. My car is part of the lawsuit about transmission & still won't fix their recalled transmission. This vehicle has been to dealer 4 times since built with this same issue and not fixed. The service manager at dealership named Joe, told me the screeching is normal. It was not doing that when I first bought. It's my only transportation and still making payments on it. Subaru refuses to rectify their recall problem. I have kids & unsafe SUV. The car was great then without cause transmission stops working. Subaru of America won't help or take responsibility. Highly disappointed in the brand

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. No forward or reverse power was available. Had the transmission failed the night before while merging onto a highway, with little ability to pull out of the roadway, we certainly would have been in danger. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and the transmission failure confirmed. The transmission "stuttered" for several months previously while accelerating, though not consistently.

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. We shut the car off completely for 5 minutes and turned it back on and we were able to drive it normally for another mile. It then happened three more times on our way to a safe spot to pull over. The fifth time it happened all warning lights on the dashboard turned on (see picture). The speed in which it happened varied. It is important to note that we brought it in for service on 8/8 for a standard interval service at a Subaru dealership and have brought our car in multiple times to address issues with the transmission.

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. The software updated but the failure reoccurred after almost two months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that another software needed to be updated; however, the failure reoccurred after almost two months. The contact believed that the failure was associated with Manufacturer Recall Number: 16-139-22 CVT Assembly (WRK-21) Warranty Extension (TCM reprogramming to prevent CVT chain slip). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

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. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

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. I have a picture and invoice.

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. After the vehicle exceeded it's warranty coverage, they were suddenly able to duplicate the problem and say that the CVT was causing my problems, that reprogramming failed and that the vehicle needs a new transmission. These issues have persisted before and after the recalls related to the CVT and have cause two near accidents as I pulled out into traffic only to have the car not shift/accelerate as expected. I no longer allow my teenagers to drive the vehicle due to this safety concern. I firmly believe the prior recalls were not effective in resolving the issues with the CVT and/or that Subaru said no damage to the chain was visible and checked the recall as done without actually doing anything more than reprogramming. I believe the issues should be looked into further and coverage for the CVT should be extended beyond the initial reprogramming provided by the recall.

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. Subaru corporate has 2 case files for this issue now.

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. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V907000 (Electrical System). The contact was made aware that the VIN was also included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train); however, the mechanic was unable to complete the recall repair because the vehicle had a Salvage Title. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

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. WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ON HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD, CONSUMER HIT HER HEAD AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONCIOUS.

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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the transmission was jerking and hesitating while driving. The approximate failure mileage was 14,400. Parts distribution disconnect.

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.

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.

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. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.

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. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact has stated that the dealership addressed the recall in August.

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. But , so far, they have not offered me a warranty for the new transmission and they are apparently unable to tell me if the repair just done satisfies the recall referenced above Subaru's WRK-21)

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

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. Per the recall notice from Subaru at any time the transmission could lock-up or quit functioning and my family and I could be left on the side of the road with an inoperable vehicle. The issue was formally acknowledged by Subaru last December (2021) and the fix for this issue was supposed to be available in May 2022. It is now mid-June with no updates. This is very frustrating! Please follow-up with the manufacturer to require them to provided a new update on when the fix will be available. Thanks!