2019 Subaru Ascent Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  1
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2876%
• 25k–50k
  514%
• 50k–75k
  25%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  25%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Subaru Ascent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated shortly after receiving the letter while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. VIN tool confirms part not available. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and drifted to the right. The dealer was made aware of the failure but could not duplicate the failure. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Car was parked and had foot on brake when car suddenly lurched forward and hit a car in front. At first I thought that my foot had slipped off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal but after reviewing the incident later in the day, I do not believe that my foot slipped. Subaru issued a recall on my vehicle #21V955000 in December 2021 but never notified me directly and I did not learn about this defect until I took the car in for routine maintenance. Was not advised that this recall might be hazardous. It is now been 4 months and Subaru has yet to issue a fix. I am now thinking that what just happened is a result of this defect or some other form of sudden unexpected acceleration and now am afraid to drive the vehicle.

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.

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 while driving 40 MPH or above, the transmission was slipping. The transmission would then reduce power and regain power and the contact would pull over to reset the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was deemed undrivable. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

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 local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. 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 vehicle would vibrate intermittently when shifting gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where diagnostic trouble codes were identified, and a vehicle reprogramming was performed. While driving, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and required replacement. Warranty coverage was not available; however, a loaner vehicle was provided. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train). The manufacturer advocacy center was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included; however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Ascent years