2019 Subaru Ascent

Noticed my car shifting incorrectly since 66,000 miles. At approximately 68,800 miles transmission begin to fail. At a stop sign I pulled out before oncoming traffic with what should have been plenty of time, but transmission failed. It seemed to have had chain slip; completely stopping the car when I was in oncoming traffic. I put the pedal to the floor it caught, and whipped me around the corner. After that it was doing the same thing consistently until I parked it at my residence.

Reported

Jul 2026

Incident date

Jul 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Replaced rear brakes and rotors in August 2025. By may 2026 they had worn down to the metal and needed replaced again. Only had 13000 miles on them. After multiple diagnostics testing was done, no issues were found with the brake system. Monitoring new pads and rotors. Still wearing rapidly but even. After only 6 weeks, they have reached about half of their life.

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Aug 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 75 MPH, a deer ran across the highway and hit the left driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle as the contact's wife immediately pulled off to the side of the road. Due to the damaged cause by the impact of the deer, the contact's wife had difficulty exiting the vehicle. The contact's wife used excessive force to open a crack in the door, which was enough to slide herself out of the vehicle. The vehicle became engulfed in flames soon after exiting the vehicle, and the authorities were called to the scene. The fire department arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire. The contact's wife sustained bruising to her left shoulder, left leg, and left arm but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and was later towed to an insurance holding facility. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire, but the insurance adjuster had yet to determine a final ruling on the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had yet been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Mar 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash Fire 1 injuries

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. We live in a small town and it is hard to get to the dealership so we had a few local mechanics take a look and one had found that the exhuast recall was not installed properly and so he addressed that issue. Things were then okay for a little bit after that and then we started having bigger issues the car would not exceed 30 MPH in the middle of us driving and then the car would jerk back and forth. After advice from Subaru of America we got it checked out at a dealership who put a part into the vehicle and then we got it back and less than a week later the car was doing the same things. We took it back and they kept the car for 2 weeks but told us they could not duplicate the problem so we got the car back and right away had the same issues when taking it home. The CVT is for sure messing up we believe and now the car does not drive at all. After some back and forth we found out that the 1st owners took it in for the CVT recall so I reached out to the dealership who did that and was told that they did look at it but at the time the CVT was not an issue but the mileage was fairly low at that time. Personally I am not in a place to afford to get it replaced on my own but I do not believe that the recall should have been closed out knowing that the part would eventually go out since it is a known issue on that car I have tried to go back and forth to get this resolved but I am not getting anywhere and I am not sure what to do at this point to try and get the problems address and made right.

Reported

Mar 2026

Incident date

Jul 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Feb 2026

Incident date

Feb 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the engine was idling, exhaust fumes entered the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, immediately after starting the vehicle, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the exhaust system. The vehicle was inspected by the local dealer, and it was determined that the exhaust manifold lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Reported

Feb 2026

Incident date

Oct 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I leased a 2019 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ), which is equipped with the EyeSight driver-assist system. In the Spring of 2019, while driving in a parking lot at night with low visibility and snow, the vehicle struck a pole. Despite the imminent collision, the EyeSight system failed to engage Pre-Collision Braking or provide any audible/visual warning to alert me of the obstacle. The system did not disengage or indicate it was unavailable due to weather; it simply failed to function, resulting in a collision. Following this incident, I immediately contacted Subaru of America to report the failure. At that time, Subaru representatives denied any defect existed and stated the system was not at fault. I have recently learned that this vehicle is part of the [XXX], et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. class action 9[XXX]), which addresses defects in the Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist systems. Crucially, I was never notified of this class action or the associated defect by Subaru. I received no mail, email, or other communication alerting me to this safety risk or my eligibility for repair/reimbursement. I only discovered this information via a third-party news source after the settlement claim deadline of September 27, 2025, had passed. Upon contacting the Settlement Administrator and Subaru of America in January 2026, I was told that because the administrative deadline has passed, no remedy is available. Subaru is effectively refusing to address a known safety defect on a confirmed affected VIN solely due to a missed deadline that I was never informed of. I am filing this complaint to document the failure of the EyeSight system and Subaru’s failure to properly notify lessees/owners of known safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported

Jan 2026

Incident date

Apr 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash

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.

Reported

Dec 2025

Incident date

Nov 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The break pads had to be renewed after 2.5 months because the ABS was engaging every time I used the breaks. At all speeds. 84,000 miles

Reported

Sep 2025

Incident date

Aug 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The battery is draining so quick that the car doesnt start at all. The battery drained completely in 3 days and it’s happening more often.

Reported

Aug 2025

Incident date

Aug 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jul 2025

Incident date

Jun 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

All of a sudden my vehicle accelerated after placing it in reverse with my foot on the brake. There was a screeching sound and I immediately shifted into (at least) Park. In attempting to exit my garage again, it repeated the same events. I parked the car and never did leave my residence. No dash lights etc. I am afraid to now drive this vehicle. This occurred several days before this mentioned event, but responded OK the 2nd time. In May of 2025 I actually crashed into a car across the street from this happening. Others are definately at risk. This actually occured twice during my 1st year of ownership, but was overlooked until now. I intend to take it to my dealer and have my vehicle inspected. There were no warning lamps etc.

Reported

Jul 2025

Incident date

Jul 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

As a veteran and spouse of an active duty service member, we are currently fulfiling our overseas tour in South Korea. We were notified of the recall of our Subaru Ascent and made contact with Subaru via email for guidance on how to proceed as we are not within the continental United States. My email to them was as follows: Our family is currently stationed overseas in South Korea. Our family has been stationed here the past two years and will be completing an additional duty of two more years here in service of our country. I previously contacted Subaru addressing the concern of the Recall for our PTC Heater Ground Bolt which has been found to be unsafe and can lead to the vehicle catching on fire. It was disheartening to be told we could not be offered assistance as Subaru only services those in the U.S. Subaru prides itself as providing one of the safest vehicles for families on the market which is why we chose Subaru. What can be done to assist us? I look forward to hearing back soon.  Subaru responded with: Thank you for reaching out to Subaru of America. Regrettably Since we do not have a reciprocal agreement with Korea we would not be able to assist with the repairs until you return to the states. I do apologize as there would be no other loopholes that we will be able to provide to have the repair done. If fyou have any further questions, you can always give us a call back or email back in as well. Hope you have a good day ahead. We will not be able to ship our vehicle until all recalls have been fixed especially as this specific recall does come with a noted safety risk by Subaru and is as follows: This potential condition may result in the melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components when the PTC heater is in operation, increasing the risk of a fire. I am submitting a claim to acquire assistance as to how to proceed. -thank you.

Reported

Jun 2025

Incident date

Jun 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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..

Reported

May 2025

Incident date

May 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Mar 2025

Incident date

Jan 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My vehicle smokes when starting it. A lot of white smoke that can fill a parking lot. The smoke has a strong chemical smell.

Reported

Mar 2025

Incident date

Nov 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Transmission belt broke while driving resulting in a catastrophic failure.

Reported

Mar 2025

Incident date

Feb 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Subaru windshild in my 2019 Ascent have been replaced twice in 30,000 miles due to very inadequate glass. I'm struggling to get Subaru to acknowledge their responsibility to replace this current cracked windshield with a new part, as per my reading of a settlement that they should be following [XXX] ). They are currently trying to send me to a 3rd party repair business to do the repair, but supposedly they have fixed the part on more recent versions of the car. By comparison, I had a Toyota Highlander for 11 years and never once had to replace the windshield glass. Yes, it took a beating, but never once cracked like this glass does. It's not up to the task, and clearly dangerous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported

Feb 2025

Incident date

Jan 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I have a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited model with 96,xxx miles as of January 2025. In 2023, there was a safety recall for the PTC heater ground bolt sent first class mail for multiple year Ascent models. This recall was completed by local subaru dealership on 3/27/2023 stating "WRL 22 completed. Removed ground bolts and cleaned threads. Found no signs of heat damage. Removed and replaced bolts." Move forward to Saturday, [XXX]. I remote started vehicle from inside the house while on vacation in Bristol Tennesee. Car was running for roughly 5 minutes, when fire alarms inside the house starting going off. Seemed odd considering nothing was going on inside. Walked inside to see large amounts of white smoke coming from the windows of the Ascent. I was able to jump into the car and turn the engine off. I opened all 4 doors to let the car air out. I checked the engine, nothing seemed off. I then turned my attention to the air cabin filter, everything seemed normal as well. After the engine cooled and aired out, there is smoke damage to the vehicle. I was able to transport the car safely to Wallace Subaru which was less than 0.25 mile from our airbnb. I was quickly notified by the service technician that the car is not safe to drive until it was fixed. After further investigation, it was found that the PTC ground bolt has failed again, and this time melting the wiring harness and bolt around it. This was right next to the carpet and put my life as well as my wife, who is [XXX] and my [XXX] daughter. Thankfully we weren't in the vehicle when this occurred. There was no warning. No check engine light, nothing. No other issues leading into the incident. Car is still parked in Bristol TN at the dealership and I am 5 hours away in Lexington KY. Subaru has been uncooperative with this situation and is avoiding talking to me or making this situation better. I literally have no answers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported

Jan 2025

Incident date

Jan 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

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

Reported

Jan 2025

Incident date

Aug 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE EYE SIGHT TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. TPMS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS OCCURED 2 TIMES BEFORE. THE FIX FOR THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WAS TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS.

Reported

Jan 2025

Incident date

Jan 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the hood was flapping up and down. The contact was concerned that the hood might release and crash into the front windshield. The brake pedal was depressed but was slow to respond. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the interior lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer for routine maintenance, and the brake fluid and coolant were not topped off. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Reported

Jan 2025

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The windshield cracked with no obvious damage. The crack did not start at a chip. Cracked while not driving and no recent rock hits.

Reported

Dec 2024

Incident date

Feb 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The Y pipe that connects the exhaust from the engine to the turbo charger, has cracks from poor welds. It happened 8-12 months ago we started to notice that during warm up our Ascent would sound real loud then quiet down once it warmed up. We didn’t know there was an issue as there were no lights that came on and we had no loss of power or MPG. The safety issue would be that we finally took the car in once we started to smell exhaust fumes coming from the car that we would start to smell from inside the car. We had to start to air out the car after warming up if we couldn’t immediately drive away once started. We contacted Subaru and they offered a partial credit for a repair but after researching I have seen they have had recalls in the past regarding similar cracked Exhaust manifolds on another model car.

Reported

Dec 2024

Incident date

Mar 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

We have had to replace battery twice and had to have auto club give us a jump start multiple times. We drive this vehicle once or twice a month, but something is causing battery to run down way to fast. Manufacturer claims we need to drive more often. I have always had one car, that burned to much fuel, and was used as an occasional vehicle, but never had this type of problem. Something needs to be provided so that battery does not leak power when it is a low use car. I don’t want the internal lights to turn on when I walk by, or for it to access the internet. I believe that this leaves us vulnerable to non-availability at a critical time. We are planning a multi-week trip and have no idea if car will start when we return. Nor is their a way to disconnect unneeded activity that is draining battery.

Reported

Dec 2024

Incident date

Nov 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

We observed Subaru Ascent 2019 (Limited) car handling poorly over bumpy areas, especially over bumps on turns even at speeds under 40 mph. Car feels as if it is loosing contact with the road. It is also jarring over bumps even while driving straight. In wet conditions, I do not know if I will be able to stop within the proper distance. We took the car to the dealer, that indicated front struts needed replacement. They could not provide an estimate of when struts would be available -- this was over one month ago. I am uncertain if a repair is possible to correct this apparent safety issue.

Reported

Nov 2024

Incident date

Jan 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My Ascent is primarily driven in the city of San Francisco, a fairly hilly city. We have had issues with the suspension on this vehicle in the past, and I will need to install my third pair of struts in the coming weeks (the parts are currently on backorder). The CVT has also been replaced on the vehicle. The tires are routinely rotated, and we keep up with the maintenance schedule. We were driving home after dropping our daughters at school and while accelerating up a hill heard a crack. We immediately pulled over, and saw that the lower control arm had sheared.

Reported

Nov 2024

Incident date

Nov 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Oct 2024

Incident date

Oct 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

During an inspection at the dealership in December 2023, the tech found the oil pan to be leaking. It was resealed during the same visit. Approximately 8 months later, the same problem was found again at the dealership. It was again resealed. Upon further research, this appears to be a recurring problem on similar vehicles.

Reported

Sep 2024

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Sep 2024

Incident date

Jun 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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. On the way home I realized I didn't think it would make it back the 60 miles so I took it to Olathe Subaru they informed me that it had had transmission problems reported by the previous owners but their technician couldn't get it to do it again so the people just traded it in instead and then I got the car without them getting the transmission fixed or whatever was wrong. They are actually waiting on Subaru of America to respond to tell them what needs to be done to the car and in the process I have been two weeks with little information of what's going on. I feel the recall should have been done and the car is still a good car it just needs to be repaired correctly. Thank you for your response I look forward to hearing from you please help.

Reported

Aug 2024

Incident date

Aug 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Aug 2024

Incident date

Aug 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

There is a knocking or clunking noise at low speeds during and after turning in the front driver's side of the vehicle. Car has 17,500 miles on it. Assembled inspection suggests that tie rod (inner and outer), ball joint, stabilizer links are all intact and functioning properly. No loose components or fasteners. All bushings appear firm and intact. There is an apparent [XXX] ), though seemingly unreported issue with the front-end suspension system that dealerships and service techs can't seem to diagnose. At best, noises go away for a period of time then return. If it's an issue with a wear component then it may be that the OEM parts are deficient for use on this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Reported

Aug 2024

Incident date

Aug 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The two map lights and the part referred to as the front overhead console has a defective design which at the least stops the lights from working properly, but at the worst, can start a fire. Subaru must be aware of the problem because it routinely change them. My vehicle listed above was ready for the installation of the third console when I said to myself, this one is not under warranty so let me call Subaru. They agreed to cover part of the cost- now we are sure that Subaru knows there is a fire hazard, didn’t report it, do a voluntary recall, or notify you. Am I eligible for money for whistleblowing? So I have pictures of the melted condition, and the repair. I also made a video of the repair. You can search re-engineering Subaru ascent map light console if you want to see it. I figured the cause, developed a solution, and re-engineered it. I can, most can’t. I definitely shouldn’t have to get out a solder gun and repair the electrical components because they are defective. The problem is the design. The direction you push the light cover switch pushes the socket away from its contact. This creates a gap that causes heat that both melts the plastic, and also cracking and melting around the plate of metal that makes contact with the socket. I just soldered them together and have a light that works perfect, but i do have degraded cracked plastic around the socket, so I condenser it perhaps temporary, but better than hearing the light sizzle while arcing. Plus the lights work every time. You can search Subaru ascent maplight and will find a bunch of people asking about the problem. For some it just stops working which is the best thing. For others you get sizzleing and a dim light. The resulting arcing also causes the light to turn off improperly and results in sizzling also. That’s should not be able to happen. Off is off. Let’s get this taken care of. We dont want injuries, or accident s because the light started smoking and distracted someone.

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The front suspension is making a clanking noise. Inspection of the front strut towers tops shows an interior separation of the rubber in the Strut bearing at 63k miles. There is also a noticeable difference between the left and right side relative to the components present. The space at the drivers side which is making the noise has a bigger separation in its components when the wheels are in a straight ahead position. The failure of this component can cause a catastrophic accident.

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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)

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

Upon starting the vehicle, the driver side mirror started smoking. Secured the vehicle and disconnected the battery. Removed the mirror assembly and notice the electrical wires powering the blind spot indicator of the mirror assembly was burned and melted. Picture of the damage was taken prior to removing the mirror assembly from the vehicle.

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Car battery died in store parking lot. Low mileage (24,000). I do lots of short trips and this is a reported problem for 2019 Subaru Ascents. I had to wait 2 hours for someone to bring a charger to drive to auto parts store fire replacement battery.

Reported

Dec 2023

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Battery keeps dying.

Reported

Dec 2023

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Nov 2023

Incident date

Nov 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Yesterday I got in my vehicle first thing in the morning and there was a crack at the bottom of my windshield. I’m not parked anywhere near anything that could’ve caused a crack, so it appears to have just randomly cracked for no reason. This morning as I’m just sitting at the bus stop with my kid the crack got a little bigger.

Reported

Oct 2023

Incident date

Oct 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Front wheel bearing issue. Very luckily made it to trusted local shop. Mechanic said we are lucky wheel did not fall off. We wanted to drive to Subaru, he said we would not make the trip. No warning lights. Did not yet have inspected by Subaru, will do next service.

Reported

Sep 2023

Incident date

Jun 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My 2019 Subaru Ascent windshield cracked from no apparent reason while driving on freeway. There was a loud bang sound and there is a circular crack quite symmetrical in the middle of the windshield. The diameter of the circular crack was ~2 inches wide. There is no hairline fracture. In recollection, it didn't feel like there was any rock or particle that ricocheted off the windshield. It felt more like it cracked on its own.

Reported

Sep 2023

Incident date

Jul 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Clouds of smoke at startup scince car was new.

Reported

Sep 2023

Incident date

Sep 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Aug 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Jul 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 35MPH, the struts were impacted hard which caused the vehicle to shake the dashboard. No warning lights as illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they could not diagnose the failure and would not take apart the vehicle to inspect the strut. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but refused to let the dealer work on the vehicle but offered to give 6,000 dollars on the new vehicle because the vehicle was nonrepairable. The failure mileage was approximately 39,634.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Oct 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Aug 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Rear lift gate drains battery to the point where the vehicle won't start. The tailgate will beep three times, but will not open. Within 24 hours, the battery is insufficient to start it. You have to do a manual override to open the lift gate. The battery, starter and alternator were all tested and had no issues. I have to keep a jump pack in the car as the issue has become more frequent. The local Subaru dealership in Mequon, WI said they would replace the battery, but won't replace the module identified in a technical service bulletin for no charge: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163522-0001.pdf This seems to be a very common problem with the MY19 Ascents.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Apr 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The radio started turning on and off repeatedly and does not work. The back door will not open using any of the buttons.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Aug 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.

Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.

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.

Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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.

Risk: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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

Risk: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, 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 WUW-08.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.