2019 Subaru Ascent Driver assistance Problems

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

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

I leased a 2019 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ), which is equipped with the EyeSight driver-assist system. In the Spring of 2019, while driving in a parking lot at night with low visibility and snow, the vehicle struck a pole. Despite the imminent collision, the EyeSight system failed to engage Pre-Collision Braking or provide any audible/visual warning to alert me of the obstacle. The system did not disengage or indicate it was unavailable due to weather; it simply failed to function, resulting in a collision. Following this incident, I immediately contacted Subaru of America to report the failure. At that time, Subaru representatives denied any defect existed and stated the system was not at fault. I have recently learned that this vehicle is part of the [XXX], et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. class action 9[XXX]), which addresses defects in the Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist systems. Crucially, I was never notified of this class action or the associated defect by Subaru. I received no mail, email, or other communication alerting me to this safety risk or my eligibility for repair/reimbursement. I only discovered this information via a third-party news source after the settlement claim deadline of September 27, 2025, had passed. Upon contacting the Settlement Administrator and Subaru of America in January 2026, I was told that because the administrative deadline has passed, no remedy is available. Subaru is effectively refusing to address a known safety defect on a confirmed affected VIN solely due to a missed deadline that I was never informed of. I am filing this complaint to document the failure of the EyeSight system and Subaru’s failure to properly notify lessees/owners of known safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11713281

Incident

Apr 8, 2019

STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE EYE SIGHT TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. TPMS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS OCCURED 2 TIMES BEFORE. THE FIX FOR THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WAS TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS.

NHTSA ID

11636557

Incident

Jan 16, 2025

Upon starting the vehicle, the driver side mirror started smoking. Secured the vehicle and disconnected the battery. Removed the mirror assembly and notice the electrical wires powering the blind spot indicator of the mirror assembly was burned and melted. Picture of the damage was taken prior to removing the mirror assembly from the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11582940

Incident

Apr 14, 2024

Car has been not able to roll up driver side window for a year randomly. Suddenly 3 years old and battery is draining and RAB and Eyesight and engine light on. Took in and saying can’t replicate window after they DID replicate it 3 months ago and did not solve issue. Did battery parasitic draw and numerous parts of car are draining battery. Cannot find source.

NHTSA ID

11522750

Incident

May 12, 2023

My wife was pulling into a parking spot at a Safeway in Seattle. The car, instead of stopping, sped up when she stepped on the brakes, slamming into a brick wall. She shifted into reverse, and the car sped backwards, then shifted to drive, and sped forward and slammed into a wall again. She shifted to park and pulled on the parking brake. Then, after 5 minutes with the car off, she drove home without incident and parked, although the car was severely damaged.

NHTSA ID

11458223

Incident

Mar 22, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11442028

Incident

Nov 29, 2021

Mileage

47,915 mi

Left tailgate open for ~5 hours and the parasitic draw of that action left our battery dead. We were stranded in the middle of nowhere and had to get the battery jumped. After getting jumped... our electronics, especially the safety systems were no longer operable.

NHTSA ID

11441184

Incident

Nov 20, 2021

The backing camera won’t come on when I’m baking and if there is cars it won’t beep, the apps on the screen won’t display and console screen is not operational at all not even for the radio.

NHTSA ID

11436311

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

Trying to pass an 18-wheeler on PA Turnpike. Weather 68-degrees, sunny day, no precipitation. When accelerating, the vehicle began shaking. There was a stutter in engine, shaking the vehicle. Suddenly a loud bang jolted the car and the Crash avoidance system applied breaks (I was the left passing lane, at a speed of 70 mph, with more than a dozen vehicles close behind). Emergency collision warning, EyeSight warning, check engine, RAB, and numerous dash error alterts illuminated. The parking brake turned on and off without human intervention (it's computer-controlled). The engine shut off and a multiple car fishtail began behind me. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I put the car in Neutral, lurched to the side of the road, and called OnStar. Calls to the dealer have not been returned. I drive elementary children to scouts and sporting events. I can't imagine the horror had they been harmed or worse.

NHTSA ID

11435678

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

VEHICLE STARTED OFF WITH THE RADIO NOT SAVING CHANNELS. IT WOULD RESET THE RADIO EVERY FEW DAYS. A MESSAGE WOULD COME ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WOULD SAY THE CAR WILL BE RESTARTED IN A FEW HOURS. AND A LIGHT NOT WORKING. TOOK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS BATTERY. REPLACED. THEN GOT BACK. WITHIN WEEK OR SO. CAR HAD ALL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON DASHBOARD. STARTED JUMPING. EVEN DROVE BACKWARDS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. TOOK IN AND THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSION. WITHIN THE WEEK AFTER GETTING BACK, THE CAR WAS SKIPPING GEARS. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. THEN BACK IN FOR RADIO NOT SHUTTING OFF WHEN CAR OFF AND LOCKED. WOULD RUN FOR HOURS. ALSO THE TRUNK DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. TOOK AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SWITCH. RADIO AGAIN STILL RESETTING. RADIO WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON. THE REAR TRUNK WILL LOCK AND THEN NOT UNLOCK. CAR IS STILL DRIVING ROUGH. CLEARLY THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT IS BACK IN NOW.

NHTSA ID

11388930

Incident

Jan 19, 2021

Mileage

32,000 mi

PURCHASED A NEW 2019 SUBARU ASCENT IN FEBRUARY 2019. AFTER HAVING IT HOME A FEW DAYS NOTICED A CHIP WITH A SMALL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE BOTTOM DRIVERS SIDE CORNER NEAR THE BLACKED OUT AREA, WHICH I DID NOT SEE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO SHOW THEM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. A MONTH LATER I WROTE A LETTER TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY LETTER. A YEAR LATER THE SMALL CRACK TURNED INTO A VERY LARGE CRACK AND ULTIMATELY I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD IN MARCH, 2020, AND PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE ON MY INSURANCE POLICY.

NHTSA ID

11387879

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

250 mi

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. I WAS JUST DRIVING IT AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK...AND THEN WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE CRACK WENT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ID

11383099

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

100 mi

WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AROUND A TRUCK ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR REFUSED, FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. MY SPEED WAS PROBABLY AROUND 60MPH, WHEN I TRIED TO QUICKLY GET AROUND THIS TRUCK. IT WAS FULL OF FURNITURE THAT I FELT WAS LOADED IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE CAR HAS DONE THIS AND THE CVT CHAIN SLIP WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN A RECALL N DECEMBER. THIS TIME SUBARU SAID IT WAS A LEAKY GASKET IN THE INTER COOLER??

NHTSA ID

11331614

Incident

Jun 28, 2020

Mileage

18,000 mi

MY NEW VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TURNS ON ALL WARNINGS AND DISABLED ALL SAFETY FEATURES TO INCLUDE COLLISION AND BLINDSIDE MONITORS. AS INDICATED BY MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS, THE PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED BY SUBARU TO BE RELATED TO A LOOSE TRANSMISSION HARNESS. SO FAR SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO INSPECT ALL 2019 AND 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. WE ARE SUPER SCARE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE IDEA THAT IT CAN STALL IN MID DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11243045

Incident

Aug 10, 2019

Mileage

30 mi

WHEN HOLDING SPEED CONSTANT BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, OR UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION IN THIS RANGE, VEHICLE SEEMS TO JERK, SURGE, PULSE, OR SIMILAR. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO BEING IN THE CAR WITH SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID

11234998

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 14 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EYESIGHT PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, IT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,400.

NHTSA ID

11190303

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

Mileage

5,400 mi

HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHICLE CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTROL. VEHICLE MOVED RELENTLESSLY SIDE TO SIDE MAKING A WHITE KNUCKLE EXPERIENCE. SIDE WINDOW LANE DEPARTURE LIGHTS WERE ALMOST ON CONSTANTLY. FELT LIKE THE WIND WAS LIFTING CAR FROM GROUND. HAD TO PULL INTO 2 REST STOPS AS STRESS OF TRYING TO CONTROL VEHICLE WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND STRESSFUL. AS FOR ELECTRONIC ISSUES DEALER REPLACED AMPLIFIERS AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS NEW RADIO/PHONE UNIT ORDERED BUT NOT INSTALLED DUE TO MY FILING LEMON LAW

NHTSA ID

11171634

Incident

Nov 3, 2018

Mileage

600 mi

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 BRAKE PEDAL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARR SUBARU (11635 SOUTHWEST CANYON RD, BEAVERTON, OREGON 97006, (503) 672-3370) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EYESIGHT ASSIST SAFETY FEATURE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1-34973274988. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.

NHTSA ID

11118736

Incident

Jul 29, 2018

Mileage

700 mi