2019 Subaru ASCENT: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE THE TIRES SCREECHED ACROSS THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY INTO THE DISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AFTER MINIMAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUMBLING VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118736 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH NO WARNING, NO EXTERNAL IMPACT, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR IMPACT TO WINDOW.

Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119346 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING ON FREEWAY CHECK ENGINE CAME ONLINE SUDDENLY. EYESIGHT TURNED OFF. CAR BECAME UNSTABLE, COULD NOT GO PAST 60 MPH. KIDS IN FREKING OUT. VERY UNSAFE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOLLOWED THESE FORUMS HTTPS://WWW.ASCENTFORUMS.COM/FORUM/137-SUBARU-ASCENT-COMPLAINTS-ISSUES-PROBLEMS/1981-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-11.HTML APPARENTLY EARLY SUBARU MODELS HAD 2 BOLTS MISSING IN THE ENGINE AIRTIGHT COMPARTMENT. ATLEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED. I HAVE DRIVEN SO MANY MILES SUBARU AS NOT ISSUED A T…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139704 at NHTSA ↗

AIRBAG SENSOR FAULT.

Owner-reported narrative. 55 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140196 at NHTSA ↗

I RECENTLY NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS OF GLARING SPECKS/DOTS WHEN FACING THE SUNLIGHT IN EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON. THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES SO BLURRY AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I FACE LIGHTS EVEN NIGHT TIMES WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES KINDA OF GLARE. I CLEANED WITH MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS NOT GOING AT ALL, ONE ANGLE CAN BE SEEN VERY GREY COLORED DOT. TOOK TO DEALER AND ALSO AGREED WITH THIS. NOT SURE WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS, BUT I WANT THIS NHTSA LOOK AT SERIOUSLY. MY CAR IS JUST ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND 2K MILES ON IT…

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143074 at NHTSA ↗

OUR ASCENT STARTED HAVING A SQUEAL AND RPM JUMP AROUND 6000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD ONLY MAKES THIS NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP UNTIL THE CHAIN/BELT WOULD RESEAT AND THE RPM RETURN TO NORMAL. IT THROWS NO WARNING CODES BUT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT SUBARU HAS REPLACED SOME AND THEY ARE DOING SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TO FILE A CLAIM WITH SUBARU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO INITIATE A FIX FROM THE SUBARU ENG…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165954 at NHTSA ↗

MY CAR WAS PARKED. I SAW A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD (CAUSE UNKNOWN) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT BEGAN AT THE TOP GLASS AND DESCENDED, THEN HEADING INWARDS TOWARDS THE MIRROR. OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, IT HAS EXTENDED PAST THE MIRROR INTO THE DRIVER VIEW. THE SUBARU GLASS (AGC AUTOMOTIVE, DOT-376, M8H4 AS1, 30E, LAMISAFE) COULD BE FAULTY.

Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11166069 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE REAR DOOR HANDLE. THE CHILD PROOF LOCK IS NOT SET. YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE FRONT DOORS SO THE REAR PAX CAN EXIT. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXIT QUICKLY, ONE HAS TO REMEMBER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE FRONT DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH TO LET THE REAR PAX OUT. SUBARU TELLS ME THAT IT'S NORMAL, AND I THINK IT SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171179 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-08-02 (August 2, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-07-10 (July 10, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-12-02 (December 2, 2019)

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

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-12-02 (December 2, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2020-04-16 (April 16, 2020)

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

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-12-09 (December 9, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-12-08 (December 8, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-07-07 (July 7, 2026)

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."

Consequence: 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 were mailed August 24, 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.