KnownCarProblems2019 Subaru Ascent Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 442 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Ascent, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 10,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Ascent model year since 2000 and has 9 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2019 Subaru Ascent problems
Electrical
160 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
The vehicle has had a dead battery on at least two occasions in the past year including this morning (12/04/2020), and the vehicle is still less than two years old, and only has approximately 10,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside of the garage, the vehicle failed to start. The contact asked her son to jump start the vehicle. The contac's son jumped the battery and the vehicle resume normal operation. The contact stated that the failure occurred…
Transmission
89 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
At 16462 miles on odometer, while driving on hi way at 65 MPH vehicle lost power and started smoking severely from the tail pipes. Pulled over and shut off. Restarted several minutes later continued to smoke and would not move. Towed to dealer, they stated the pcv valve broke apart, Subaru wants them to tear down the…
Car was shaking while idling/ shifting hard/ studdering while trying to shift and not shifting while going up an incline. The transmission was damaged from the slack in the CVT belt and now has to be completely replaced. Also the battery died. No doors were left open and no lights were left on. No reason to have a…
Visibility and wipers
81 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly.
I have had this vehicle almost 1 year. The windshield got a chip and small "spidering" happened - photo 1. Then I was driving in the rain and a rock, I'm assuming, dinged the windshield. Didn't notice anything but it was raining. The next morning I look at the windshield and there is a big crack - photo 2. To replace…
On the day that I bought the car, on my way back home, a small rock cracked the windshield. Over the next few weeks, the windshield cracked in 4 more spots. The quality seems really bad. I've never had this with any other car.
Other or unspecified
59 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
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…
My windshield and front passenger window are both cracked on my Ascent. They both need to be replaced. This is the 2nd crack and windshield replacement on our Ascent. The 1st replacement was in january 2019, just six months after purchase.
Engine
48 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Almost 9500 miles, raining outside wife driving normal speed (highway driving) and eyesight stopped working and check engine light came on. Vehicle still ran. Secondly took to local subrau dealership for 10,000 service they found nothing wrong and did service. Wife left dealership and noticed car pulling to left after…
Check engine light - diagnosis ' vehicle loses power after rapid acceleration above 45mph. A whooshing sound occurs and then acceleration is limited. All warning lights flash including 'check engine.' this has occurred once about a month ago and diagnosed as a poorly replaced gas cap'although it was actually on…
Brakes
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: electrical.
This started with only 6k miles on 2019 Ascent, the brakes ride extremely rough. Braking does are not as effective as they should be. This makes braking, give the car a bumpy ride as it decelerates and the driver an uneasy feeling.
Brakes shook violently at highway speed and while descending mountain. Took to dealer and they said this is a known issue. Had to replace brakes and rotors on all 4 wheels. Ascent had only 7600 miles. Vehicle needs to be recalled and retrofitted with new brakes/rotors that can handle the demands/weight of the Ascent.
Fuel system
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles.
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.
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 ([phone]), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a leak in the fuel vapor canister. The…
Driver assistance
13 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, warnings, blind spot detection.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2019 Subaru Ascent recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: An incorrect gawr label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed august 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrh-26.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "off" position. Dealers will replace the ptc heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed february 6, 2023. Owners may contact subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: chain/belt
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 24, 2021. Subaru and toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrg-21.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 ascent, 2018 forester, 2018-2020 impreza, legacy, outback, 2018-2019 brz, wrx, and toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began june 4, 2020. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrd-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2019 impreza, outback, legacy, and ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the pcv valve, free of charge. If the pcv valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, 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 wuw-08.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2019 crosstrek, forester, and ascent vehicles. The aluminum positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2019 ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Transmission: driveshaft
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began july 31, 2018. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wtu-80.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2019 subaru ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the b-pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2019 Subaru Ascent
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (160 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); transmission (89 complaints, typically around 17,000 miles); visibility and wipers (81 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2019 a bad year for the Subaru Ascent?
- It is the most complained-about Ascent model year since 2000, with 442 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.