Subaru · Known Issues
2019 Subaru Ascent Problems: 20 Known Issues
2019 model year · 3,820+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2019 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2019 model year · 3,820+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2019 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,820+ owner reports, the 2019 Subaru Ascent has 20 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement ($0-$9,000 repair), Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701 ($0-$0 repair), PTC Cabin Heater Ground Bolt Loosens and Melts Under-Dash Wiring (Recall WRL-22 / NHTSA 22V907) ($0-$0 repair), TR690 CVT Chain Slip and Chain Guide Breakage (Recall WRK-21 / NHTSA 21V-955) ($0-$6,500 repair), CVT Valve Body Failure and Transmission Warning ($1,500-$8,500 repair), Aluminum PCV Valve Separates and Ingests Debris into the Combustion Chamber (Recall 19V856 / WUW-08) ($0-$0 repair), CVT Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Harness Oxidation Causes Low Drive-Chain Tension (Recall 19V855 / WUV-07) ($0-$0 repair), Missing B-Pillar Spot Welds from Welding-Robot Programming Error (Recall 18V508 / WTU-80) ($0-$0 repair) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Failure (Recall 21V-587 / WRG-21) ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement with 1,300 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $120 to $9,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
TIRES
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,820+ owner reports, the 2019 Subaru Ascent has 20 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement, Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701, PTC Cabin Heater Ground Bolt Loosens and Melts Under-Dash Wiring (Recall WRL-22 / NHTSA 22V907). Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent has 20 known issues documented across 3,820+ owner reports. 9 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement and Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701 and PTC Cabin Heater Ground Bolt Loosens and Melts Under-Dash Wiring (Recall WRL-22 / NHTSA 22V907) and TR690 CVT Chain Slip and Chain Guide Breakage (Recall WRK-21 / NHTSA 21V-955) and CVT Valve Body Failure and Transmission Warning and Aluminum PCV Valve Separates and Ingests Debris into the Combustion Chamber (Recall 19V856 / WUW-08) and CVT Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Harness Oxidation Causes Low Drive-Chain Tension (Recall 19V855 / WUV-07) and Missing B-Pillar Spot Welds from Welding-Robot Programming Error (Recall 18V508 / WTU-80) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Failure (Recall 21V-587 / WRG-21). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Subaru Ascent issues range from $0 to $9,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement, typically costs $0-$9,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The Ascent's high-torque Lineartronic CVT (TR730 - the largest CVT Subaru has produced) paired with the 2.4L turbo FA24 engine exhibits hesitation from stops, harsh engagement when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, and surging at low speeds. The TR730 CVT must handle significa… Repairs typically run $0-$9,000. Severity: high.
Certain 2019-2021 Ascents are affected by a fuel pump recall (WRK-22, NHTSA 20V-701) where the low-pressure fuel pump impeller can deform due to excessive absorption of fuel components, particularly in regions with higher-concentration ethanol fuels. A deformed impeller reduces f… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 2019-2022 Ascents the ground bolt securing the ground terminal for the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) auxiliary cabin heater was improperly torqued during assembly. The loose connection creates high resistance at the ground terminal, which heats up under the high curre… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
A TCU programming error allows the Lineartronic CVT to engage before the drive chain is fully secured, causing chain slippage that fragments the chain guide. Owners report shudder, hesitation, irregular noises and MIL illumination; in worst cases chain breakage causes loss of mot… Repairs typically run $0-$6,500. Severity: high.
The Ascent's TR730 high-torque CVT develops valve body failures that cause erratic shifting, harsh engagement, and transmission warning lights. The valve body controls hydraulic pressure to the CVT pulleys and chain, and when solenoids or passages within it fail, the transmission… Repairs typically run $1,500-$8,500. Severity: high.
The FA24F's aluminum positive crankcase ventilation valve can come apart in service. When it separates, engine oil and the broken valve components are drawn down the PCV path into the combustion chamber. The result is a sudden loss of engine power while driving, and where the sep… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On the 2019 Ascent the mid-joint of the transmission hydraulic pressure sensor harness was built with dissimilar metals - tinplate against copper. Galvanic action forms an oxide film at that joint, and the film corrupts the pressure signal the sensor sends to the TCU. When the se… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Subaru's launch-batch Ascents built July 16-25, 2018 left the Lafayette, Indiana plant with spot welds missing on or around the B-pillar. The cause was improper software programming of the body-shop welding robots, so an entire production window was affected rather than random un… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The Denso-supplied low-pressure in-tank fuel pump can develop a swollen/deformed impeller that jams the pump, causing rough running, no-start, or sudden engine stall while driving. ~22,800 Ascents were included in the 165k-vehicle 2021 recall covering MY 2019-2020 Ascents alongsi… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The Ascent has one of the highest rates of windshield cracking complaints of any Subaru model. Cracks frequently originate near the EyeSight camera housing or from windshield edges without any rock impact. The large windshield, acoustic lamination, steep rake angle, and EyeSight… Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Ascents commonly experience dead batteries after sitting for 3-5 days without driving. The numerous electronic modules (Starlink telematics, EyeSight, keyless access, remote start receiver) create a high parasitic draw that depletes the battery when the vehicle is not driven regu… Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: medium.
One of the most-reported Ascent complaints on the owner forums: a sharp metallic clunk or rattle from the front suspension over small bumps, expansion joints and parking-lot speed bumps, often present from low mileage and frequently misdiagnosed at the dealer as sway-bar links, e… Repairs typically run $450-$1,100. Severity: medium.
The Ascent is the heaviest vehicle Subaru sells but carries brake hardware close to that of lighter models, and owners repeatedly report steering-wheel and pedal pulsation under braking starting around 18,000-20,000 miles, worsening to a full-vehicle shudder by 20,000-30,000. The… Repairs typically run $450-$1,300. Severity: medium.
Owners report Ascent windshields cracking from small impacts, temperature swings, or spontaneously while parked, with cracks frequently propagating from the EyeSight camera mount or lower edge. A 2024 class-action settlement covers 2019-2022 Ascents and extends Subaru's windshiel… Repairs typically run $0-$2,400. Severity: medium.
On 2019-2020 Subaru Ascents the Power Rear Gate (PRG) Control Module fails to time out the cargo light circuit when the liftgate is left open. Measured parasitic draw of ~4A kills a fully charged battery in 1-4 hours. Subaru TSB 07-155-19R (06/12/2019, revised through 02/03/2021)… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.
Ascent owners report a shudder, judder or vibration felt through the floor when turning under light acceleration at low speed - typically under 25 mph, and almost always when the drivetrain is cold. Parking-lot maneuvers, U-turns and slow corners off a stop are the classic trigge… Repairs typically run $600-$2,200. Severity: medium.
The Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) on the FA24F-powered Ascent cracks at a weld joint, producing a rattling or fluttering sound from the undercarriage under acceleration. The noise is often mistaken for a loose heat shield. Subaru traced it to weld durability on the EPF and changed the… Repairs typically run $400-$1,300. Severity: medium.
Owners report a strong oil, gasoline or hot-rubber smell from the engine bay, sometimes accompanied by oil seepage at the PCV hose joint. Subaru traced this to an undersized PCV hose clamp on the FA24F that allows blow-by vapors and oil mist to escape. TSB 11-204-23 prescribes a… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: medium.
Subaru is recalling roughly 541,000 vehicles, including every 2019-2026 Ascent, because the federally required certification label on the driver's door jamb carries an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating. Owners who load the vehicle to the number printed on the label - a real scen… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.
Ascent owners report a knocking or squeaking noise from the front suspension driving on rough or broken pavement, distinctly worse at low ambient temperatures and often quieting once the car warms up. The cause is the front stabilizer bar bushing material, which hardens and stick… Repairs typically run $120-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.