NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
441 reports1,750 miles · Jul 27, 2019
Wheels
I AS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. A 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE ' WARMING CAME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN WENT AWAY. A MINUTE LATER, MY CAR STARTED TO SWERVE AND WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO CROSS 3 LANES TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I FOUND A COMPLETELY DESTROYED LEFT REAR TIRE. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 1,800 MILES ON …
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I AS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. A 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE ' WARMING CAME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN WENT AWAY. A MINUTE LATER, MY CAR STARTED TO SWERVE AND WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO CROSS 3 LANES TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I FOUND A COMPLETELY DESTROYED LEFT REAR TIRE. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 1,800 MILES ON IT. I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11235330
12,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN HOLDING SPEED CONSTANT BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, OR UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION IN THIS RANGE, VEHICLE SEEMS TO JERK, SURGE, PULSE, OR SIMILAR. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO BEING IN THE CAR WITH SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11234998
350 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WE ARE HEARING A THUMPING OR KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA. WE NOTICE THIS NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON A ROUGH ROAD WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, OR BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED OUR CAR FROM CHECKED ALL RUNNING GEAR PARTS UNDER THE CAR, AND STEERING COMPONENTS, TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY VISIBLE PROBLE…
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WE ARE HEARING A THUMPING OR KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA. WE NOTICE THIS NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON A ROUGH ROAD WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, OR BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED OUR CAR FROM CHECKED ALL RUNNING GEAR PARTS UNDER THE CAR, AND STEERING COMPONENTS, TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY VISIBLE PROBLEMS. AFTER A TEST DRIVE BY MECHANIC AND ANOTHER SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE, THEY COULD HEAR THE NOISE, BUT WE'RE UNABLE TO FIND ITS SOURCE. WE ARE WONDERING IF ANY OTHER OWNERS OF A 2019 ASCENT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM?
NHTSA ODI #11231774
8,500 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Power Train
CVT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING, RPMS WILL JUMP UP BY 1-2K, STAY AT THAT LEVEL FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN DROP DOWN. WHEN IT DROPS, CAR WILL SHUDDER OR ACCELERATE. OCCASSIONALLY A SCREECHING OR GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IS NOT PREDICTABLE. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS …
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CVT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING, RPMS WILL JUMP UP BY 1-2K, STAY AT THAT LEVEL FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN DROP DOWN. WHEN IT DROPS, CAR WILL SHUDDER OR ACCELERATE. OCCASSIONALLY A SCREECHING OR GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IS NOT PREDICTABLE. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS IF 65 AND ABOVE; AND IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY ROADS AT SPEEDS OF 30. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE TRIP; OR IT MAY GO A WEEK BETWEEN EVENTS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT, SAYS IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT THEN THE "BEST CASE SCENARIO" FOR A DIAGNOSIS IS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND FOR US TO BE STRANDED. A INTERNET SEARCH FOR "SUBARU ASCENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" REVEALS THAT THIS IS A RARE PROBLEM, BUT SEEMS TO DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT ASCENTS BUILT IN AUGUST OF 2018. SUBARU ALLEGEDLY IS REPLACING THESE TRANSMISSIONS ONCE PROBLEM IS DIAGNOSED, BUT IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD REPLACE THEM ALL PROACTIVELY.
NHTSA ODI #11220042
5,200 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 70-80 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH SUBARU OF RIVERSIDE (LOCATED AT 8069 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 428-2314) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 70-80 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH SUBARU OF RIVERSIDE (LOCATED AT 8069 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 428-2314) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11218968
5,000 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Electrical System
I ATTEMPTED TO START MY SUBARU ASCENT AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CONTACTED SUBARU'S TOWING AND THEY CAME AND JUMPSTARTED THE CAR. THE TOWING COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT SUBARU'S ASCENT BATTERIES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO JUMP A NUMBER OF THEM. I DROVE TO WORK. THE NEXT MORNING, I WOKE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAL…
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I ATTEMPTED TO START MY SUBARU ASCENT AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CONTACTED SUBARU'S TOWING AND THEY CAME AND JUMPSTARTED THE CAR. THE TOWING COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT SUBARU'S ASCENT BATTERIES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO JUMP A NUMBER OF THEM. I DROVE TO WORK. THE NEXT MORNING, I WOKE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED SUBARU'S TOWING SERVICE, AND THEY CAME OUT AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TESTED THE BATTERY, BUT THE BATTERY DID NOT EXHIBIT FAIL CODES. SUBARU WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BATTERY, DESPITE THE TWO FAILURES. SINCE THIS TIME, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE BATTERY FAILURES AND SUBARU CONTINUES TO DENY MY REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11217905
3,500 miles · May 31, 2019
Service BrakesService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherCrash
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OFF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND FELT WIRED - THE BRAKE COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND FELT LIKE IT'S JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN SHE SWITCHED THE CAR TO PARKING! IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HIT A PARKED CAR BEHIND. BECAUSE THE SPEED WAS VER…
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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OFF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND FELT WIRED - THE BRAKE COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND FELT LIKE IT'S JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN SHE SWITCHED THE CAR TO PARKING! IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HIT A PARKED CAR BEHIND. BECAUSE THE SPEED WAS VERY LOW SO THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. BUT AFTER RESTARTED THE CAR, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON - RAB, EYE SIGHT, AT OIL TEMP, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, AND THE SUN ROOF AND SUN SHADE NOT WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #11217153
5,055 miles · May 29, 2019
Power Train
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 ODI #11210528
9,600 miles · May 16, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineWheels
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 TIRES ROTA…
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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 TIRES ROTATED. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP , THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FEATHERING OF TIRES. WORRIED EYESIGHT AND ENGINE CAN BE AFFECTED WITH RAIN. ALSO AT A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES WE NOW SMELL BURNING OIL ON AND OFF OUTSIDE OF CAR. WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED HIGH REVVING MOTOR WITH NO FOOT ON GAS PEDAL.(STATIONARY WHEN SMELLING BURNT OIL SMELL AND MOTOR REVVING. ALSO ONCE HIGH REVVING WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD WAS CITY DRIVING. LOVE TO DRIVE THE CAR, HOPE IT HOLDS UP!
NHTSA ODI #11207954
1,000 miles · May 13, 2019
Electrical System
LET THE TAILGATE OPEN FOR 4 HOURS AND THE BATTERY DIED. USE THE CAR TO TRAVEL WITH DOGS. PURPOSE OF THE CAR IS TO TRAVEL WITH DOGS FOR FIELD WORK. CANNOT HAVE IT DIE OR MY DOGS DIE WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION.
NHTSA ODI #11207264
Official recalls
9Jul 7, 2026
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Dec 8, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 for this recall is WRL-22.
Dec 9, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
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.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Jul 29, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Apr 16, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Dec 2, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Jul 10, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Aug 2, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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