2022 Subaru Ascent

2022 Subaru Ascent. Noticed progressive strong odor in the car. After rain had significant fluid accumulation in the front passenger ceiling, inside front passenger door (sloshing), and wet carpets on the floor on the passenger side. Serviced by Subaru dealer water specialist who reported (1) clogged moonroof drains and "popped off connector" leading to flooding of the entire front passenger ceiling; (2) detached vapor barrier in the passenger door allowing water to collect inside the door and drain into the car; (3) significant concern for mold based on the extent of damage and odor accumulating over time. Told by dealer the drains could be unclogged and they'd repair the popped off connection with a zip-tie fastener since it was not tight enough before, re-affix the vapor barrier in the door, but otherwise their expressed SAFETY concern related to the extent of suspected mold and the poor effects that would have on the health of us and our children. Told the mold was unlikely to fully remediate despite usual efforts, as it creates a fibrous web that is very difficult to ever fix, and the recommendation was that we probably not drive the car again. Told no water damage of any etiology is covered under any Subaru warranty. Dealer refused at first to give documentation about the service or recommendations. Later gave but left off mold documentation - we requested they add it back on, if we choose to sell or trade in the vehicle later we refuse to do so without the mold and associated health risks being public knowledge for a future owner of this vehicle. We also reported that our Subaru Eyesight (collision avoidance system) had been intermittently shorting out, online reports show this can be related to drain floods. No report/update thus far by Subaru on this, also not included in report. We filed a complaint with Subaru of America but have not been called back despite two weeks of repeated calls to them for an update.

This observation/complaint is about a 2022 Subaru Ascent automobile, which I own. When the gas cap is loose, the car's computer disables several safety features, including collision avoidance, lane control, cruise control, reverse-automatic-braking control, all occur suddenly, while driving, after the computer processes the fault. Upon securing the gas cap and ostensibly fixing the problem, the computer MAY continue to disable said safety features for (according to Subaru Service agents) multiple days for as long as 30 days. On 7/2/23, while driving, several warning lights illuminated in the instrument cluster advising of the loss of many safety features. After stopping and reading the owners manual, I inspected and confirmed that the gas cap was properly sealed. That action did not fix the warning lights nor the disablement of safety features. I had 4 start-shutoff cycles in 6.5 hours. Three hundred and fifty miles later, I refueled, and confirmed that the gas cap was installed properly at the conclusion. Nothing changed with the disabled safety features. The following two days, I experienced 5 daily start-shutoffs with no effect on the safety features. The 3rd day, after 2 start-shutoff cycles, and while idling the engine, the warning lights disappeared and the safety features operated properly. Upon visiting a dealership, I was informed that the onboard computer identified a loose gas cap as the problem. Two service advisors told me that this experience is normal and that they have seen it take as long as 30 days for the computer to recognize that the problem was "fixed".

I was driving slowly through a parking lot. I found a spot to park my car and noticed that there was a curb painted bright yellow so I knew I could not pull through. I started to turn into the parking spot with my foot on the brake when all of a sudden my car was speeding towards the curb and a tree. My foot was on the brake but the car did not stop nor did the forward collision feature work and the air bag did not deploy. The accident has been reported to both my insurance and the auto maker. The car will be inspected tomorrow.