2019 Subaru Ascent Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 17,231 miles. The words owners use most often: “cvt transmission” (7% of reports).
- 89power train complaints
- 17,231median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- CVT transmission: mentioned in 6 of 89 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 36 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 89 complaints, 2 mention a crash.
Subaru Ascent power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ascent | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2023 Ascent | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Ascent | 14 | 25% | 87,500 |
| 2021 Ascent | 19 | 19% | 88,271 |
| 2020 Ascent | 58 | 18% | 22,500 |
| 2019 Ascent | 89 | 20% | 17,231 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:driveline:chain/belt; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Cvt is slipping and failing internally, cvt assembly requires replacement.
Subaru of America has a Bulletin out that changes the front suspension arms for both front ends. The dealership made this correction and now the front end rattles like there are loose parts. Dealership says they donât hear it. Wonât investigate more unless I pay them a diagnostic fee. If Subaru…
The vehicle has 178k miles on it currently. I had to have a transmission and transfer case replaced at 68k miles. Done by Subaru. At 168k miles I had to have a new front pump in the transmission case replaced. Repair done by Subaru. Now at 178k miles the second replacement transmission has…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2019 Subaru Ascents have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 89 owner complaints about power train for the 2019 Subaru Ascent (20% of the 442 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2019 Subaru Ascent power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 17,231 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
The most frequent phrase is “cvt transmission”, in 6 of 89 complaints.
Other 2019 Subaru Ascent problems
See all 2019 Subaru Ascent problems or power train problems across all Ascent years.