EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
2019 Subaru Ascent
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “park outside” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 22V907000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 441 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, most frequently naming the electrical, powertrain (other) and visibility categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 627 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2020 | 10 | 152 |
| Nov 2020 | 11 | 163 |
| Dec 2020 | 12 | 175 |
| Jan 2021 | 17 | 192 |
| Feb 2021 | 14 | 206 |
| Mar 2021 | 13 | 219 |
| Apr 2021 | 7 | 226 |
| May 2021 | 15 | 241 |
| Jun 2021 | 7 | 248 |
| Jul 2021 | 7 | 255 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 256 |
| Sep 2021 | 5 | 261 |
| Oct 2021 | 5 | 266 |
| Nov 2021 | 6 | 272 |
| Dec 2021 | 9 | 281 |
| Jan 2022 | 4 | 285 |
| Feb 2022 | 9 | 294 |
| Mar 2022 | 4 | 298 |
| Apr 2022 | 5 | 303 |
| May 2022 | 10 | 313 |
| Jun 2022 | 14 | 327 |
| Jul 2022 | 9 | 336 |
| Aug 2022 | 11 | 347 |
| Sep 2022 | 5 | 352 |
| Oct 2022 | 4 | 356 |
| Dec 2022 | 4 | 360 |
| Jan 2023 | 4 | 364 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 365 |
| Mar 2023 | 3 | 368 |
| Apr 2023 | 4 | 372 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 373 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 374 |
| Jul 2023 | 9 | 383 |
| Aug 2023 | 6 | 389 |
| Sep 2023 | 3 | 392 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 393 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 394 |
| Dec 2023 | 2 | 396 |
| Apr 2024 | 4 | 400 |
| Aug 2024 | 3 | 403 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 405 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 406 |
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 408 |
| Dec 2024 | 3 | 411 |
| Jan 2025 | 4 | 415 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 416 |
| Mar 2025 | 3 | 419 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 420 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 421 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | 423 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 424 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 425 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 426 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 427 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 429 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | 431 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 432 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 434 |
| Aug 2026 | 5 | 439 |
| Sep 2026 | 2 | 441 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical16132.4%
- Powertrain (other)8617.3%
- Visibility8116.3%
- Engine489.7%
- Brakes265.2%
- Driver assistance204.0%
- Fuel system163.2%
- Body & structure122.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
9 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 don’t hear it. Won’t investigate more unless I pay them a diagnostic fee. If Subaru of America knows this vehicle has a faulty part that causes the calipers to clamp down too hard thus warping the rotors! Dealership & SOA need to advertise this Bulletin as a recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762427
- Incident
- May 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Accent. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the hood was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that an unknown adjustment was needed. Additionally, the shocks were replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the hinges were fractured. The contact was informed that the hinges needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762249
- Incident
- Jun 19, 2024
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
Immediately after pushing the lift gate release button on the dash, a loud and constant alarm tone began. The gate would then not open using the button on the dash, remote, or handle on the exterior of the lift gate door. To access the items in the rear (and to stop the alarm), we needed to get the door open. We followed the owner's manual exactly to access the internal emergency release. We removed the plastic cover for the gear unit, then used a screwdriver to manually move the release to the right. Despite every amount of pressure we tried, including adding pressure by pushing down on the gate from the outside with one person while another tried the release procedure, the gate would not open. We ended up looking on YouTube, and found a video that this is not uncommon - and that the solution is to disconnect the battery or to remove fuse #14 on the fuse panel. With tremendous effort and using a pair of pliers, we finally removed the fuse. The alarm stopped but the gate (and other parts of the electrical system) were now off. We replaced the fuse and the door returned to normal function and opened using the handle on the lift gate. This is a tremendous safety issue. First, there is no easy way to open the gate manually from the interior in the case of an emergency (removing the safety cover and the use of a screwdriver or similar tool is required). Second, this emergency process failed completely, as the gate couldn't be opened at all using the manual release.
- NHTSA ID
- 11758028
- Incident
- Aug 6, 2026
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 completely failed and needs replaced.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756882
- Incident
- Aug 13, 2026
All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into the engines wiring at the car computer, transmission computer, and bulkhead connector in fuse box causing all sorts of engine codes. The setting of the engine code closes all the vehicles driver safety systems and changes the dynamic of the drivers driving experience. As the problem gets worse, it can render the car powerless on roads and highways making operation dangerous. I have my car parked in front of the house with the battery and electrical connectors unplugged. This problem is covered by one or more recalls and safety campaigns, but subaru refuses to fix mine and other peoples that I found on Facebook. Someone online listed a $6500.00 repair estimate. They just had it repossessed instead. This part causes the pressure differences that cause the jerky ride and is specifically alluded to in the recall, plus subaru even changed the part because it was defective.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755268
- Incident
- Jul 28, 2026
My 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited had a safety recall that was related to a CVT transmission issue. That safety recall was addressed by Sewell Subaru (Dallas, TX) in January of 2025. This past Wednesday, July 29, I was driving on a state highway on my way to work from my residence. Not even two miles away from my residence, I felt a jerk and a loud "thud". That was followed by loss of power in that the vehicle just was rolling, but no power from the gas. I was able to safely maneuver onto a the shoulder and stop the vehicle. Within minutes, I noticed a puddling of a large amount of fluid that I could easily recognize was not oil. The vehicle was towed back to Sewell Subaru this past Saturday and I was notified today that the CVT belt snapped and it caused a hold in the transmission case, which caused the fluid to leak. The service advisor also mentioned that Subaru is not wanting to cover the replacement and that they are citing that the reason is that Subaru records are showing irregular servicing done by a Subaru service center. This issue has nothing to do with routine maintenance, or where I get those, and has everything to do with the catastrophic failure of the very same component that was at the heart of their known safety recall issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754594
- Incident
- Jul 29, 2026
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2019 Subaru Ascent VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 72,093 miles I am submitting this complaint because my 2019 Subaru Ascent experienced a serious transmission-related electrical failure that may represent a broader safety defect. Sewell Subaru of Dallas diagnosed an internal failure of a transmission pressure sensor. According to the dealership’s written report, the failed pressure sensor allowed transmission fluid to leak into the electrical wiring harness. The transmission fluid then migrated through the wiring and into the bulkhead harness. The dealership advised that the fluid contamination had affected multiple parts of the vehicle’s electrical system and recommended replacement of the transmission wiring harness, engine wiring harness, bulkhead harness, Engine Control Module (ECM), Transmission Control Module (TCM), and related components. Because the wiring harnesses are routed throughout the engine compartment and vehicle, the repair also requires extensive disassembly of the vehicle, including disconnecting and removing numerous engine compartment components to access and replace the contaminated harnesses. The estimated repair cost was approximately $12,000. I also have video documentation of the dealership technician performing the inspection and explaining the transmission fluid contamination and migration through the wiring system. I am willing to provide the video, the dealership's written diagnosis, repair estimate, photographs, and any additional supporting documentation upon request. My vehicle falls within the published VIN range associated with Subaru recall WUV-07, which involved the CVT hydraulic pressure sensor harness and transmission hydraulic pressure system. That recall was later superseded by WRK-21. I understand that the published recall addresses electrical resistance and transmission hydraulic pressure readings rather than transmission fluid leakage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11754232
- Incident
- Jul 28, 2026
Transmission was recalled and supposedly fixed. The fix has now failed and dealer and Subaru are not willing to fix again.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753077
- Incident
- Jul 27, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0014, P0024, P0128, P2109. If any of the DTCs listed above are found to be stored in the ECM, follow the procedures outlined in the bulletin. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a non-compliance recall for certain 2026 model year Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles, 2025-2026 model year Forester & Forester Hybrid vehicles, and 2019- 2026 Ascent vehicles due to incorrect information listed on the certification label. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
POWER TRAIN
This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.