Subaru Ascent Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Subaru Ascent across 6 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (89). The words owners use most often: “transmission slipping” (5% of reports).
- 186power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 33%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.
- Transmission slipping: mentioned in 10 of 186 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 56 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 186 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 (4)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2023
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
Power train:driveline:chain/belt; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2019, 2020
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)
Model years: 2019
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
Model years: 2019
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…
My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission - per the Subaru of America service tree. This issue began…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was skipping. The failure was recurrent. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train); however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall…
1. The vehicle is experiencing a transmission malfunction/failure. The dealership was able to replicate the issue and confirm the malfunction, which caused the check engine light to illuminate. The vehicle is currently being evaluated by the dealership, and any failed components should be available…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Ascents have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 186 owner complaints about power train for the Subaru Ascent. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Ascent power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Subaru Ascent?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission slipping”, in 10 of 186 complaints.
Other Subaru Ascent problems
- Electrical System problems (293)
- Visibility/wiper problems (152)
- Engine problems (104)
See all Subaru Ascent problems.