2019 Subaru Ascent Fuel system Problems

My vehicle smokes when starting it. A lot of white smoke that can fill a parking lot. The smoke has a strong chemical smell.

NHTSA ID

11645828

Incident

Nov 20, 2020

Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what I described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate.' In February, I took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because it was getting louder each passing day. I was advised that the entire exhaust needed to be replaced, and I would be responsible for costs. I brought my car home, unrepaired, and called Subaru of America to file a claim through them. I had repeatedly expressed concerns, and nothing was done, yet I'm expected to foot the bill now. Since February 12th, I have been back and forth with Subaru and just made the appointment to get the exhaust work completed, with a small contribution from Subaru. However, this past Saturday, [XXX] my vehicle caught on fire while driving. I am fine, but my vehicle has now been deemed a total loss. As I was descending the mountain, I smelled the same 'perm solution' smell, and shortly after, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The smoke entered the cabin as I pulled off the road. Upon exiting the vehicle, flames and smoke were visible from the hood. I grabbed my purse and ran, called 911, and watched my vehicle engulfed in flames. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11583533

Incident

Apr 17, 2024

On speeds of about 70+, both on cruise control and off, car jerks for about 5-10 seconds when accelerating on steep hills. It also happens after the car has been driving for more than 1hr or so. Fuel consumption is about 19-20mpg regardless of highway only driving contrary to advertised

NHTSA ID

11502524

Incident

Dec 31, 2022

They have not have remedy for a long time!

NHTSA ID

11475314

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

Hi Issue #1: My Subaru never gives the MPG what they promised, on average I get 17 or 18 MPG mixed drive supposed to get 21MPG, whenever I complain to the dealership they give a standard answer about it depends on driving style never attempted to find the root cause. Never had this issue with my previous cars, I used to get the same as what they promised. So I feel not related to driving style. Issue #2: Blue smoke came multiple times, so not consistent reproducing not sure. Issue #3. My battery died many times couple of times had called roadside, later I got a jump starter and I have used it multiple times to start my car, and replaced the new battery under warranty and Subaru paid for it, but unfortunately, the new battery I got had also died and got it replaced by warranty.

NHTSA ID

11426405

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

Unknown. Electrical failures including eyesight, the dealers lie about the work they do, the latest was recent - they said sludge was everywhere which causes the timing to be off and said the entire engine needed to be replaced but refused to do so. I do not trust they were honest about the spot welds, as my VIN and contract were mysteriously changed after I took delivery. Battery dies, amp dies, head unit stops functioning for months at a time. Eyesight slams on brakes at last minute. I am told it’s normal to shut up and leave. For example the last time I took it in less than 30 days ago they said they changed the filters as well. They did not. According to them they owe me a new engine. I have Starlink and documents oil is changed by Subaru yet they claimed they had no record, and it is my fault so I need to replace engine.

NHTSA ID

11419729

Incident

Jun 4, 2021

DARK GRAY-BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST ON START-UP, LASTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. LARGE PLUMES WITH STRONG NOXIOUS ODOR. SMOKE AND FUMES HAVE TRIGGERED SEVERAL SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS. NOTED ON MOST DAYS, SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2019. FUEL EFFICIENCY IS FAR LOWER THAN THE 21-27 MPG CLAIMED BY SUBARU. ACTUAL AVERAGE IS 14 MPG.

NHTSA ID

11399159

Incident

Apr 26, 2019

Mileage

10 mi

THE TAILPIPE EXHAUST SMELLS STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE. THE FUMES WILL ALSO COME THROUGH THE CABIN VENTS IF AIR CIRCULATION IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID

11397935

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER) BASED ON THE MOST RECENT RECALL. HOWEVER NOW IT IDLES AND RUNS ROUGH JUST A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS SERVICE. I RECENTLY READ THERE IS ANOTHER LAWSUIT OR ISSUE WITH THIS FUEL PUMP AND THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME.

NHTSA ID

11363767

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

23,314 mi

WHEN DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR IS VERY JUMPY AND SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT WITH THE AMOUNT OF FUEL DELIVERED TO THE PEDAL. THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WILL ALMOST STALL OUT, THEN I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL FURTHER DOWN TO DELIVER MORE GAS, BUT THEN IT MAKES ME GO TO FAST AND JUMPS.

NHTSA ID

11360194

Incident

Sep 19, 2020

Mileage

100 mi

WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR EVEN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME (5 MINUTES) THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WILL START TO SMELL LIKE FUMES (EXHAUST TYPE SMELL). THIS HAPPENS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT (PARKING LOT, OUR DRIVEWAY, RURAL AREA) WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND STILL RUNNING. RARELY HAVE I SMELLED THE FUMES UPON STARTING THE CAR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN EVERY SEASON AND WITH THE CAR BLOWING OUT WARM, NEUTRAL, AND AIR CONDITIONED AIR. THIS WAS NOTICED VERY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO DETECT THE SMELL BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM TO CORRECT. THE OTHER TWO TIMES THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO REPLICATE THE SMELL EVEN AFTER LEAVING IT ON FOR AN HOUR. I CAN ELICIT THE SMELL EVERY TIME IF I LET IT RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES WHILE PARKED. OTHERS APPEAR TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE AS WELL AND ARE BEING TOLD THE SAME THING BY THEIR DEALERSHIPS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS MY CHILDREN MAY BE AFFECTED WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11323121

Incident

Apr 20, 2020

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (PAUL MILLER SUBARU 3469 US-46, PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, NJ 07054 (973) 402-1700), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ID

11306733

Incident

Jan 21, 2020

Mileage

4,000 mi

FRESH FUEL SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE (ENTERING THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PARKING). UPON ARRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, THE SMELL WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I WENT A STEP FURTHER AND PULLED THE OIL DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE LEVEL AND TO SEE IF THAT'S WHERE IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM. SURE ENOUGH, THAT IS WHERE I AM SMELLING IT. I WENT SO FAR AS TO WIPE OFF THE DIPSTICK AND CHECK ONCE AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. I ALSO NOTED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS WELL ABOVE THE HIGH MARK. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE RISK FOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE GIVEN THAT IT APPEARS THAT FUEL IS MIXING IN WITH THE OIL.

NHTSA ID

11299624

Incident

Dec 23, 2019

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNED THAT THESE VEHICLES WILL BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID

11282852

Incident

Nov 22, 2019

Mileage

21,300 mi

GASOLINE VAPORS IN CABIN AND AROUND CAR. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED, GASOLINE VAPORS ARE ACCUMULATING AROUND CAR. WE EXPERIENCE STRONG GASOLINE VAPORS IN OUR ENCLOSED GARAGE AFTER DRIVING (APPEARING 10-15 MINUTES AFTER TURNING CAR OFF). ALSO, AFTER DRIVING FOR EVEN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEN TURNING THE CAR OFF, THEN STARTING AGAIN, GASOLINE VAPORS ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH THE VENTS (IF NON-RECIRCULATING). DEALER CONFIRMED WE GASOLINE MIXED WITH OUR MOTOR OIL (DEALER CHANGED THE OIL, BUT DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM). WHILE THIS IS ALARMING ENOUGH, THE SMELL CONTINUES. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AND MY HOME GARAGE IS NOT HEALTH/SAFETY RISK FOR MY FAMILY BREATHING IN, BUT SINCE SUBARU DOESN'T KNOW A CAUSE, COULD IT BE A RISK FOR A FIRE. MY FAMILY SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IN A BRAND NEW CAR THAT IS INTRODUCING GASOLINE VAPORS UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. OTHERS ON MESSAGE BOARDS ARE COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR ISSUES WHICH COULD POINT TO A BIGGER PROBLEM. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ID

11207034

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

1,200 mi

RAW GAS SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS AT IDLE OR AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A BIT AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE SMELL COMES THRU THE VENTS AND FILLS THE GARAGE AFTER I PARK THE VEHICLE. GAS MILEAGE IS ALSO BEING EFFECTED IT SEEMS, AND IS LOW.

NHTSA ID

11205006

Incident

Apr 25, 2019

Mileage

1,500 mi