2021 Subaru Ascent Problems: 15 Known Issues

On the 2019-2025 Subaru Ascent FA24, 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 significantly more torque than Subaru's other CVTs, leading to durability concerns. Multiple TSBs have addressed calibration issues. Some owners report complete CVT failure under 60,000 miles.

On the 2019-2024 Subaru Ascent, 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 cannot maintain proper ratio control. This issue is distinct from the CVT hesitation TSB and represents a hardware failure rather than a calibration issue.

On the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F 2.4L turbo, 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 current the PTC heater draws, melting the terminal, the connector holder and the surrounding under-dash harness. Subaru advised owners to park away from structures and not to leave the vehicle running unattended because of the fire risk. 271,694 vehicles were covered - one of the largest Ascent campaigns ever issued.

On the 2019-2024 Subaru Ascent, 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 regularly. The factory battery (Group 25, 570 CCA) is undersized for the electrical demands. Cold weather significantly worsens the issue. Subaru released TSB 11-193-20 to update module sleep behavior but the issue persists for many owners.

On the 2019-2021 Subaru Ascent, 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 fuel delivery, causing engine stalling, rough running, or inability to start. This is a safety concern as stalling can occur without warning during driving. The recall was coordinated across multiple manufacturers using the same Denso fuel pump.

On the 2019-2025 Subaru Ascent, 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 system create stress points. Temperature fluctuations (cold nights followed by morning defrost) are a common trigger. Replacement windshields must be EyeSight-compatible and require camera recalibration ($200-400 additional). Some owners have reported 3-4 windshield replacements.

On the 2020-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F, owners find wet carpet, soaked underlayment and standing water in the footwells and along the door sills. The source is not the door seal but the door's internal vapor barrier: the butyl tape that bonds the barrier sheet to the inner door panel separates, so water that normally runs down inside the door and out the drains instead escapes past the barrier and into the cabin. Subaru issued a service procedure covering 2020-2022 Legacy, Outback, Forester and Ascent. For the Ascent the vapor-barrier scenario applies to vehicles produced prior to VIN M3448319. Left alone this soaks carpet padding, promotes mold, and can reach under-carpet wiring and body control connectors.

On the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent, 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, end links or strut mounts. Subaru traced it to the internal rebound stopper inside the front strut assembly and revised the strut design; TSB 05-90-24R covers the condition on 2019-2023 Ascents. Owners routinely report having sway bar bushings and links replaced first with no change, then a strut swap silencing the noise permanently.

On the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F, 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-slips against the bar in the cold. Subaru enhanced the bushing material and issued a design-change bulletin covering 2019-2022 Ascent, with revised bushing part number 20414XC00B, plus a companion bulletin covering the stabilizer bar bushing CLAMPS. This is a separate noise source from the front strut internal rebound-stopper rattle addressed by TSB 05-90-24R - many Ascents get the strut bulletin performed and still knock, because the bushings were the real source.

On the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent, 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 mechanism is uneven friction-material transfer and thermal distortion of thin front rotors rather than literal 'warping', and it recurs after resurfacing because the underlying rotor mass is marginal for the vehicle's weight - multiple owners report the same shudder returning within 20,000-30,000 miles of a warranty repair, then being quoted well over $1,000 once out of warranty. Subaru addressed the noise/vibration side with a redesigned front pad in TSB 06-78-20.

On the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent, 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 windshield warranty to 8yr/100k with one free replacement for qualifying cracks.

On the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F, 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 triggers. The cause is the multi-plate transfer (MPT) clutch pack in the Lineartronic's AWD transfer section binding and slip-sticking rather than modulating smoothly. This is separate from the CVT's forward-clutch hesitation and harsh Park-to-Drive engagement - it is AWD driveline bind, and Subaru's own diagnostic step is to disable AWD with the Subaru Select Monitor and confirm the judder disappears in front-drive-only mode.

On the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent FA24F, 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 production weld material. Ascents built before VIN P3409668 carry the original weld. A cracked EPF is an exhaust leak upstream of or near the catalyst, so beyond the noise it can affect emissions readings and let exhaust gas escape ahead of the underbody. The same bulletin covers 2020-2023 Outback and Legacy 2.4L DIT, but the Ascent VIN break is its own.

On the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F, 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 revised PCV hose assembly and improved spring clamp.

On the 2019-2026 Subaru Ascent, 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 scenario on a three-row family SUV carrying seven or eight occupants plus cargo, or towing near the 5,000 lb limit - can exceed the true axle capacity, which degrades braking, steering and tire load margin and increases crash risk. This is a documentation defect rather than a mechanical failure, but it affects the entire production run of the model.