2020 Subaru Ascent

I’m very disappointed in the terms of the Subaru recall. Instead of just replacing the faulty transmission, they will only fix CVTs w/ evidence of problems. I reported transmission issues at my last service and was told to wait for the recall as they would charge me $175 if they couldn’t replicate the problem. So now I have to drive until at least May (probably longer with all the other recalled cars seeking appts) w/a faulty transmission that could cause an accident, while they figure out a remedy? Plus my 2020 Ascent will be out of warranty soon (6000 miles). So I’m stuck with paying to replace the trans, if these problems show up later? I’ve had so many problems w/ this car incl squealing brakes (my car was in the shop for a total of more than 4 weeks before they figured out how to fix this) and a hood that came close to Detaching at highway speed — I had to bring the NTHSA bulletins to the dealer to get them to admit these both were known problems that could be fixed. Please insist that Subaru do the right thing by just replacing the transmission NOW rather than waiting till May to figure out a remedy and exposing the owners of this problem-plagued car to further needless risk.

Recently, we experienced another problem with our 2022 Subaru Ascent Limited. I am asking that this issue be diagnosed and corrected. On January 21, 2022, within about 15 seconds of starting the car, the engine shut off while still parked for no apparent reason. The car was able to be restarted, however the Multi-Function Display went blank, and the STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen displayed only the Starlink logo. I attempted a reset by depressing the “home” button, but nothing happened. Neither the radio nor any other features would function. The car was then driven several miles and shut off. Then, after restarting it, the normal touchscreen and Multi-Function Display operated correctly, including the radio. I remain concerned however that unless this issue is diagnosed and corrected, such a shutdown could occur again in the future, possibly when driving the car, which could result in a serious accident. We have had recent problems with this car involving its electrical system. The excessive battery drain caused by the power rear gate resulted in a dead battery, producing only 8 volts. (The car had to be jump-started on two separate occasions). Subaru Pacific replaced the PRG Module (per TSB 07-155-19R), and installed a new SOA821B600 Enhanced Flooded Battery (per SOA’s October 1, 2021 memorandum). We do not know how or if the recent unexpected engine shutdown was related to these events, but we expect that Subaru should be able to determine the cause of this failure and find a remedy.

I was taking my kids to school. On the way, we stopped at an intersection. The car all the sudden stopped while it was in the Drive gear. The electric part of the car turned on but the engine didn’t. A police officer and a towing company came to the rescue to make sure our car didn’t get hit. However this was a quite scary process for our kids and myself. If could have happened in the middle of the intersection or on a highway and we could have been hit. The towing company couldn’t put the gear in the neutral and suggested an issue with TCM.They had to get a different towing track and took it to the dealer.

I recently bought my Subaru and I noticed the transmission would stall when going in to gear or changing gears and the rpm would be high, also last night I de fogged my windows and drove to my destination and noticed a crack in my windshield from the top where my eyesight is, I did not hear or see anything hit my car windshield, my car didn't give off any warning signs for either of the problems I stated, I have contacted subur 1800subur3 they say there is no recall so now talk to customer service so now I am waiting to speak to them

We purchased our 2020 Subaru Accent on 8/9/2020. On 6/9/2021, our family took a day trip to Petaluma and stopped at a park to let our toddlers play. When we returned to our vehicle in the parking lot, the ignition would not turn on the vehicle. AAA Roadside Assistance was called to the scene and the technician found no issues with the battery. He was able to get our car to start, but only by randomly placing the shift to Neutral, then turning on the ignition. We were advised to bring our vehicle in for repair, brining the car to the dealership of original purchase at Elk Grove Subaru. Following diagnostics, they stated there was an issue with the shifter, identifying "fluid leakage" and it was cleaned out. Although we have a new car warranty, they charged us for the labor out of the warranty, citing “customer at fault” claiming fluid leakage caused the issue from a spilled beverage. We do not recall any beverage being spilled in our vehicle near that area. On 7/21/21, the same issue for a second time with the ignition not turning on happened once again. My husband and I were stranded in summer heat with my 2 year old son, my 1 year old daughter, and I was 30 weeks pregnant at that time. A THIRD occurrence, same issues, on 8/14/21. Our car is barely a year old. Subaru replaced the entire shifter this time, and so far no recurring issues. I thought of safety concerns if this was to happen to someone else, perhaps stranded on a busy road susceptible to oncoming traffic, or a secluded area that would pose risk of serious safety issues, or perhaps worse. One occurrence is an isolated incident, however three or more points to a significant pattern and worth investigating for a recall of this part. We took to the internet to see if anyone has experienced the same issue with this make and model and we found one video of a couple with an identical experience with the ignition randomly stopping working to start the vehicle. https://youtu.be/g--VICP26hg

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 SUBARU ASCENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. FROM DAY ONE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GENERATING AN EXCESSIVE AND POTENT FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE BAY THAT IS THEN PULLED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM WHILE RUNNING. THIS SMELL IS PREVALENT WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS RUNNING; IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE AFTER PARKING (AND TURNING OFF) THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE AS THE GARAGE FILLS WITH A RAW FUEL SMELL THAT TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO DISSIPATE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN ALL TYPES OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND TRIP DURATIONS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALERSHIP TECH VERBALLY CONFIRMED THE FUEL SMELL UPON CHECK-IN AND OPTED TO RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR, EVEN TESTING THE FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. THIS WAS EVENTUALLY ELEVATED INTO A SERVICE REQUEST INCIDENT/TICKET WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA. TWO SUBARU FIELD ENGINEERS VISITED THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SECOND COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT CLAIMED IT WAS A RUNNING ENGINE/BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AND WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. THE ENGINEER'S PROPOSED REMEDY WAS TO USE THE "RECIRCULATE AIR" BUTTON TO PREVENT OUTSIDE SMELLS FROM BEING DRAWN INTO THE CAR. > I AM CONFIDENT THIS IS A FUEL SMELL, NOT A TYPICAL HEATED ENGINE SMELL AS SUBARU CLAIMS. > WHEN DRAWN INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SMELL CAUSES LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND HEADACHES. > USING THE RECIRCULATE AIR BUTTON IS NOT A SOLUTION, IT IS A MITIGATION TACTIC, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT SMELL IS CONTINUALLY GENERATED BY THE RUNNING VEHICLE. *TR

ODOMETER: 1,289 MILES VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, DROVE 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND CHECK COOLANT INDICATOR CAME ON. OPENED HOOD TO SMOKE AND SERPENTINE BELT HAD SHREDDED. COOLANT WAS SPRAYED ALL OVER UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT AND APPEARS BATTERY LIGHT AND OVERHEATING WAS CAUSED FROM BELT FAILURE.

WE ARE ON OUR SECOND SUBARU ASCENT, FIRST ONE BOUGHT BACK FOR THE SAME ISSUE. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE CABIN WILL FILL WITH A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL (NOT EXHAUST). THE CAR WILL ALSO FILL WITH THE SMELL IF RUNNING WHILE PARKED, REMOTELY STARTED, ETC. THE SMELL IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF IT.