2019 Subaru Ascent Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 88 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 20% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 17,231 miles. Three related recalls cover the TCU programming, transmission hydraulic sensor, and driveshaft center support bolts.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 88
- 20% of 441
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 17,231 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- CVT jumps or surges in RPM during acceleration, sometimes accompanied by a squealing or screeching noise and a momentary loss of power.
- Vehicle jerks or lurches forward unexpectedly, in some cases while stopped with foot on the brake, which owners link to the transmission control unit recall (21V955000).
- Transmission slips intermittently at both low and highway speeds, causing vibration or a shudder that owners say worsens after extended driving.
- Drivetrain makes a grinding or screeching sound followed by a drop in RPM and a shudder or brief acceleration surge.
- Some owners report the car losing power on the highway with rear gear function affected and a dashboard warning light illuminated.
When 2019 Subaru Ascent transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 9, 2019, latest Sep 6, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2019 Subaru Ascent
- NHTSA 21V955000Dec 9, 2021Transmission & Powertrain198,255 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V855000Dec 2, 2019Transmission & Powertrain76,842 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V519000Jul 10, 2019Transmission & Powertrain166 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Ascent model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems in the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
- NHTSA lists 88 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2019 Ascent, accounting for 20% of the 441 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three related recalls: campaign 21V955000 for a transmission control unit programming error that could let the clutch engage before the drive chain, 19V855000 for an inaccurate transmission hydraulic sensor, and 19V519000 for driveshaft center support bolts that may loosen.
- At what mileage do transmission issues typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 17,231 miles.
- Have the transmission complaints led to crashes?
- NHTSA records 2 crashes and 0 fires linked to transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2019 Ascent, with 0 injuries reported.
- Is the 2019 Ascent worse than other model years for this issue?
- Complaint share by year shows 20% for 2019, compared to 18% for 2020, 19% for 2021, 25% for 2022, and lower shares of 7% and 6% for 2023 and 2024, so 2019 is on the higher end but not the highest.