2019 Subaru Ascent: check engine light

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into the engines wiring at the car computer, transmission computer, and bulkhead connector in fuse box causing all sorts of engine codes. The setting of the engine code closes all the vehicles driver safety systems and changes the dynamic of the drivers driving experience. As the problem gets worse, it can render the car powerless on roads and highways making operation dangerous. I have my car parked in front of the house with the battery and electrical connectors unplugged. This problem is covered by one or more recalls and safety campaigns, but subaru refuses to fix mine and other peoples that I found on Facebook. Someone online listed a $6500.00 repair estimate. They just had it repossessed instead. This part causes the pressure differences that cause the jerky ride and is specifically alluded to in the recall, plus subaru even changed the part because it was defective.

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Component/System Failed: The vehicle’s CVT transmission and related transmission components. The transmission and associated components have been replaced multiple times by authorized Subaru dealerships. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description of the Failure and Safety Risk: The vehicle has experienced repeated, intermittent transmission malfunctions, including warning lights, loss of power during acceleration, and sudden harsh re-engagement. Most recently, while accelerating through an intersection from a stop, the vehicle briefly lost power and then abruptly surged forward, causing a pronounced lurch strong enough to chirp the tires. This created a serious safety concern. A hesitation or loss of motive power in an active intersection exposes me to potential cross-traffic collisions, while the sudden re-engagement creates unpredictable acceleration and possible loss of control. The intermittent nature of the malfunction makes it impossible to anticipate when it will occur. Dealer/Manufacturer Involvement: The issue has been reported to and inspected by authorized Subaru dealerships multiple times. Because the malfunction is intermittent, dealers have stated they cannot fully diagnose the issue unless warning lights are active at the time of inspection. Subaru corporate customer advocacy has been involved in reviewing the case. Warning Lamps / Prior Symptoms: Intermittent transmission and check engine warning lights have appeared repeatedly over several months. The lights often illuminate while driving and then turn off after restarting the vehicle, despite the underlying issue not being resolved.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical · KY · fire

I have a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited model with 96,xxx miles as of January 2025. In 2023, there was a safety recall for the PTC heater ground bolt sent first class mail for multiple year Ascent models. This recall was completed by local subaru dealership on 3/27/2023 stating "WRL 22 completed. Removed ground bolts and cleaned threads. Found no signs of heat damage. Removed and replaced bolts." Move forward to Saturday, [XXX]. I remote started vehicle from inside the house while on vacation in Bristol Tennesee. Car was running for roughly 5 minutes, when fire alarms inside the house starting going off. Seemed odd considering nothing was going on inside. Walked inside to see large amounts of white smoke coming from the windows of the Ascent. I was able to jump into the car and turn the engine off. I opened all 4 doors to let the car air out. I checked the engine, nothing seemed off. I then turned my attention to the air cabin filter, everything seemed normal as well. After the engine cooled and aired out, there is smoke damage to the vehicle. I was able to transport the car safely to Wallace Subaru which was less than 0.25 mile from our airbnb. I was quickly notified by the service technician that the car is not safe to drive until it was fixed. After further investigation, it was found that the PTC ground bolt has failed again, and this time melting the wiring harness and bolt around it. This was right next to the carpet and put my life as well as my wife, who is [XXX] and my [XXX] daughter. Thankfully we weren't in the vehicle when this occurred. There was no warning. No check engine light, nothing. No other issues leading into the incident. Car is still parked in Bristol TN at the dealership and I am 5 hours away in Lexington KY. Subaru has been uncooperative with this situation and is avoiding talking to me or making this situation better. I literally have no answers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 30 minutes. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Filed May 18, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WA

Car has been not able to roll up driver side window for a year randomly. Suddenly 3 years old and battery is draining and RAB and Eyesight and engine light on. Took in and saying can’t replicate window after they DID replicate it 3 months ago and did not solve issue. Did battery parasitic draw and numerous parts of car are draining battery. Cannot find source.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Driver assistance, Engine · PA

Trying to pass an 18-wheeler on PA Turnpike. Weather 68-degrees, sunny day, no precipitation. When accelerating, the vehicle began shaking. There was a stutter in engine, shaking the vehicle. Suddenly a loud bang jolted the car and the Crash avoidance system applied breaks (I was the left passing lane, at a speed of 70 mph, with more than a dozen vehicles close behind). Emergency collision warning, EyeSight warning, check engine, RAB, and numerous dash error alterts illuminated. The parking brake turned on and off without human intervention (it's computer-controlled). The engine shut off and a multiple car fishtail began behind me. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I put the car in Neutral, lurched to the side of the road, and called OnStar. Calls to the dealer have not been returned. I drive elementary children to scouts and sporting events. I can't imagine the horror had they been harmed or worse.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Electrical · 8,214 miles · VA

55 degree sunny day in rural virginia. 2019 subaru ascent has 8214 miles. Drove ascent about 4 miles. Stopped to run quick errand. Two minutes later car would not start. Dash lights on, including check engine, battery. Power windows and rear hatch still worked. Called dealer-followed their instructions to try starting car in park, neutral, etc. They said it sounded like a battery problem, advised me to call subaru roadside assistance. Spouse came with battery charger. Charged battery for a few minutes and car started. Charged battery overnight. Searched online for subaru battery problems. Read that a class-action lawsuit was filed against subaru of america in 2020 relating to outback and ascent battery issues. These models are reportedly equipped with batteries that drain and die. Lawsuit contends that subaru has known about these battery problems since 2017, and has issued a technical service bulletin about battery discharging and dying after short trip driving.

Filed Jan 16, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 19,330 miles · FL

On 24th december vehicle in motion on a highway whining noise observed and transmission disengages, RPM increased. In a few seconds transmission error message flashed in console, in addition check engine light comes on and all driver aids disabled, struggled to take control and pull off highway safely. Vehicle 20 months old less than 20,000 miles. Second instance of transmission failing after wuv07 recall completed in january 2020. !st instance of transmission failure in city streets @35mph similar behavior transmission light, check engine light and drivers aids disabled, incorrectly diagnosed by master technician as valve body failure after the wuv07 recall the fuel efficiency also dropped. A couple of days prior to 24th december contacted subaru of america about a shudder noticed observed while driving. Enclosed image has repairs related to transmission, in addition during the 2nd repair the starter also failed and starter was also replaced. In conclusion two unsafe transmission failures in motion after wuv07 recall.

Filed Aug 17, 2020 · Electrical · 16,000 miles · VA

The battery has repeatedly been drained to the point where the car will not start. The cause appears to be leaving the tailgate open with the engine off for an extended period of time, even if I turn off the small cargo light and some light ti avoid battery drain while the tailgate is open. This has happened at least 4 times and required me to jump start the car. The dealership replaced the battery after one of these incidents and told me the battery had been severely depleted, necessitating replacement. The most recent time this happened, after I jump started the car the check engine light stayed on as did all warning lights for the eyesight safety systems the x mode traction control system, and the eyesight system did not function. It has been fortunate that every time this has happened I've been at home where I could jump start the car. If this happens on a trip we would be stranded.

Filed Jul 30, 2020 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · WA

Parked the car. The rear liftgate would not open with fob or from dashboard. Two quick beeps but no movement. We decided to just grab our items from the inside and left. When we returned to the car about an hour later, the car would unlock but the rear liftgate still didn't work. We loaded up the car and started the car but battery was dead. After charging up the battery, all the major safety car features have been disabled and the engine light is on with many other lights showing up. The car is drivable but obviously doesn't feel right or safe. I just called subaru to make an appointment. I explained the problem. They originally scheduled an appointment for 2 weeks later but I managed to get an appointment for next day. I'm concerned about the safety of the car especially with the number of other owners with electrical problems specifically related to the tailgate.

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine · NY

Car shakes when it is not in motion. When the car is stopped on the road, or brakes are engaged the car will violently shake. When the car engine is starting the check engine like flashes.

Filed Feb 7, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 11,841 miles · CA

Check engine light - diagnosis ' vehicle loses power after rapid acceleration above 45mph. A whooshing sound occurs and then acceleration is limited. All warning lights flash including 'check engine.' this has occurred once about a month ago and diagnosed as a poorly replaced gas cap'although it was actually on securely. It occurred 2 weeks later 3 more times within two days. I brought it in with the lights on and issue still occurring to subaru pacific. They cleared codes and tried to recreate issue without success. They released the car back to me after corporate deferred to them. Upon driving out of dealership, the same thing happened only after acceleration above 18 MPH'all warning lights back on and sputtering/jerking/loss of power. Whooshing sound. Dealer is in possession of the car again to look into it. Also, there tends to be a grey-blue hue to the exhaust each time car starts.