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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2019 Subaru Ascent Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
90about this part
Share
20%of 443 total for the year
Median mileage
18,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 90 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 20% of the 443 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Several times our 2019 Subaru Ascent battery has drained down to low levels requiring jump starts. This last time was this winter and -15 degrees outside and was very dangerous for her. The alternator does not seem able to keep up with the load. I have heard of many other people having this problem. It sat overnight on both occasions.”

NHTSA complaint #11396263, filed 2021-02, 19,567 miles

“Currently my car is being repaired at Subaru dealership had issues with vibration they are seeing if it's a transmission problem apparently there was a recall with the 2019 Subaru Ascent I never received one but I am having transmission issues and they are looking into what the deal is I'm just wondering why I never got a recall this is dangerous god for bid my car or to slow down or stop when I'm driving I don't understand why I never got the notice”

NHTSA complaint #11349143, filed 2020-08, 21,000 miles

“Within 5000 miles transmission jump, rear gear not work and the rab light, dealer told me he must replace! I find a lot of story on website, people have same issue and same amount of mileage”

NHTSA complaint #11210528, filed 2019-05, 5,055 miles

“We are noticing periodic issues with the CVT in this new car. Occasionally we get a high-pitched whine, a sound like a belt slipping, a loss of power, and a sudden bump when the CVT seems to adjust to the situation and return power and normal driving. Internet is full of people reporting the issue. Took it to the dealer and got the usual deer-in-headlights response. They have a serious issue here. Most recent event I recorded was on 8/28 11;00 amish on I-5 north out of tacoma to seatac, driving at highway speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #11252259, filed 2019-08, 3,500 miles

“Our Ascent started having a squeal and RPM jump around 6000 miles. The car would only makes this noise on acceleration and would cause the car to lock up until the chain/belt would reseat and the RPM return to normal. It throws no warning codes but happens randomly but several times when it does happen. Was told it was a transmission issue, but Subaru has replaced some and they are doing same thing. They told me to drive it like it is and service department was to file a claim with Subaru to try to get them to initiate a fix from the Subaru engineers. …”

NHTSA complaint #11165954, filed 2019-01, 6,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202436%
202337%
20221425%
20212019%
20205918%
20199020%

Other parts of the 2019 Subaru Ascent

Electrical system
160 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
81 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsForward collision avoidance
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2019 Subaru Ascent

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology