What are the most common Subaru Ascent problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,820+ owner reports, the 2021 Subaru Ascent has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement, Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701, CVT Valve Body Failure and Transmission Warning. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 16 known issues documented across 3,820+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement and Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701 and CVT Valve Body Failure and Transmission Warning and PTC Cabin Heater Ground Bolt Loosens and Melts Under-Dash Wiring (Recall WRL-22 / NHTSA 22V907). 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.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Ascent 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.
What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Ascent CVT Transmission Hesitation and Harsh Engagement?
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.
What is the 2019-2021 Subaru Ascent Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-701?
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.
What is the 2019-2024 Subaru Ascent CVT Valve Body Failure and Transmission Warning?
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.
What is the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent PTC Cabin Heater Ground Bolt Loosens and Melts Under-Dash Wiring (Recall WRL-22 / NHTSA 22V907)?
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.
What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Ascent Windshield Spontaneous Cracking?
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.
What is the 2019-2024 Subaru Ascent Parasitic Battery Drain - Dead Battery After Sitting?
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.
What is the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent Front Strut Internal Rebound Stopper Rattle / Clunk Over Bumps (TSB 05-90-24R)?
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.
What is the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent Undersized Front Brake Rotors and Pads - Pulsation and Shudder Under 30,000 Miles?
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.
What is the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent Spontaneously Cracking Windshield (Class-Action Settlement Coverage)?
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.
What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Ascent A/C Condenser Leak from Road Debris?
The Ascent's A/C condenser is positioned directly behind the front bumper with inadequate protection from road debris. Small rocks and gravel puncture the thin condenser fins and tubes, causing refrigerant leaks. The issue is particularly common on gravel roads or in construction… Repairs typically run $600-$1,400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent FA24F PCV Hose Oil/Fuel/Hot-Rubber Odor Under Hood (TSB 11-204-23)?
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.
What is the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent Multi-Plate Transfer (MPT) Clutch Judder on Low-Speed Turns Under Acceleration (TSB 16-136-22R / 16-140-23)?
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.
What is the 2020-2022 Subaru Ascent Water Intrusion into the Cabin Through the Door Vapor Barrier (TSB 12-323-21)?
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 r… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2023 Subaru Ascent Exhaust Pipe Front Cracks at the Weld - Rattle and Flutter from Under the Vehicle (TSB 09-106-23)?
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.
What is the 2019-2026 Subaru Ascent Incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating on Certification Label (Recall 26V436)?
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.
What is the 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing Knock and Squeak in Cold Weather (TSB 05-88-21R)?
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.
