Yes, inspect it. Bought 2019 Subaru Ascent from Carvana, March of 2022. 5 months later, the transmission started to low screech and hard shift. I took it to Osteen Subaru dealership. They test drove it, then reprogrammed transmission. Same day while leaving their parking lot, hard shifted and slighty screeched yet again, reprogrammed again. On my way home that day, did it again, problem persisted. Called and told them, asked them about replacing transmission, was told I had to go on waiting list because recall was released yet. Started getting even worse by November 2022. They ended up keeping it for 2 and a half months. Got it back in January 2023. Was told the problem was torque converter lockout. Subaru Company began to have recalls on their CVT Transmission & still refused mine. My VIN # was/and is included in the lawsuit for the extended warranty, & I was still under the manufactures warranty for Drivetrain when this first happened. The last I took it to the dealer I went to a dealer and hr away, was told they wont touch. Subaru of America told me they won't fix either because was out of warranty @100467miles. I explained I went to the dealership several times under 100k miles as it states my mileage on the Service invoices she was looking at on her screen. I have papers being in their shop still under man. warranty. They still refuse. My car is part of the lawsuit about transmission & still won't fix their recalled transmission. This vehicle has been to dealer 4 times since built with this same issue and not fixed. The service manager at dealership named Joe, told me the screeching is normal. It was not doing that when I first bought. It's my only transportation and still making payments on it. Subaru refuses to rectify their recall problem. I have kids & unsafe SUV. The car was great then without cause transmission stops working. Subaru of America won't help or take responsibility. Highly disappointed in the brand
2019 Subaru Ascent: harsh or hard shifting
5 of the 443 complaints about the 2019 Subaru Ascent describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 3
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
- 20242
- 20212
- 20203
- 20195
What owners say
The CVT experienced a catastrophic failure, later identified as "the chain" by a Subaru dealer mechanic. The night before the incident, the transmission "slipped" and made a metallic clunking noise when merging onto a highway. On the day of the incident, the transmission failed completely after turning onto a roadway from a stop sign. No forward or reverse power was available. Had the transmission failed the night before while merging onto a highway, with little ability to pull out of the roadway, we certainly would have been in danger. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and the transmission failure confirmed. The transmission "stuttered" for several months previously while accelerating, though not consistently.
There is a knocking or clunking noise at low speeds during and after turning in the front driver's side of the vehicle. Car has 17,500 miles on it. Assembled inspection suggests that tie rod (inner and outer), ball joint, stabilizer links are all intact and functioning properly. No loose components or fasteners. All bushings appear firm and intact. There is an apparent [XXX] ), though seemingly unreported issue with the front-end suspension system that dealerships and service techs can't seem to diagnose. At best, noises go away for a period of time then return. If it's an issue with a wear component then it may be that the OEM parts are deficient for use on this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 subaru ascent. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 19v856000 (engine and engine cooling) and 19v855000 (power train). The contact stated that the GPS unit was inoperable. Furthermore, while at a stop sign/light, the vehicle would accelerate when the brake pedal was depressed and there was an abnormal clunking, squeaking noise detected from the steering/suspension. Also, while driving various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and shook forward and backwards, and the driver and passenger doors made an abnormal buzzing noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to puente hills subaru (17801 e gale ave, city of industry, ca 91748, (626) 626-4800) multiple times and the contact was informed that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: sr#:1-50458273772. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Clunking noise in front right wheel area, going slow over sharp bumps or moderate speed over rippled pavement. Sometimes multiple chunks over a series of bumps. Turning at low speed seems to make it more susceptible.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the availability of ThreeBond 1216J (SOA868V9640) designed for...
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for...
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when...
- This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or...
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on...
- This Bulletin announces a correction to the diagnostic procedures for certain CVT related DTCs, including...
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: chain/belt
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V955000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V855000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V519000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2019 Subaru Ascent harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
5 of 443 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Ascent (1%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2019.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
There are 3 recalls and 67 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2019 Subaru Ascent
Battery drain 74Windshield crack 59Won't start 28CVT failure 22Slipping 18Transmission failure 16Check engine light 15Jerking 15Hesitation 14Loss of power 12Stalling 12Grinding brakes 10Warning lights 10Fire or smoke 8Fuel smell 8Shudder 8Knocking 6Collision warning 5
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