2019 Subaru Ascent: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where diagnostic trouble codes were identified, and a vehicle reprogramming was performed. While driving, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and required replacement. Warranty coverage was not available; however, a loaner vehicle was provided. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train). The manufacturer advocacy center was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

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 May 16, 2025 · Transmission · TX

I purchased the car brand new in 2019. Shortly after purchasing, the transmission started having hesitation and slipping. I took the car back to the Subaru, and they replaced the transmission under warranty. Unfortunately, they replaced it with another full transmission, and very shortly there after, they had to replace it again. Unfortunately, they replaced it with another faulty transmission and now it is at 150,000 miles and needs another transmission. No one offered me to buy back my car with a second transmission replacement. I was told I was trying to scam a new transmission from Subaru. For this third transmission, I had it verified by an independent shop. I have placed a complaint with Subaru and ask them to buy back my vehicle and I have been told it’s unlikely to happen. I am worried about what will happen when the transmission goes out while I’m driving 70 miles an hour down the highway. This is a pattern in the warrants consumer protection. Many other car companies have stopped. Trying to make this CVT because it kept having problems..

Filed Jul 16, 2023 · MD

Blue smoke and hesitation as if motor will turn off. Blue smoke upon turning suv on.

Filed Aug 31, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · CO

My Subaru Ascent stopped dead while I accelerated to go on the interstate. All the idiot lights came on. The steering stopped working, the gas acceleration stopped working and my Subaru Ascent 2019 died in the middle of the interstate. I had to pay $150 for a tow to the nearest Subaru dealership, even though I was 65 miles from my home. It would have cost $450 to be towed to my local dealership. The dealership wouldn’t tell me if this was covered by warranty because they didn’t know. I was at about 65,000 miles and my original warranty had ended. In the end, Subaru replaced my transmission but never gave me a loaner. Subaru also kept saying it would be done soon, but took a week. In the mean time I had to find a way to work, and pay the tow bill. Now, my Subaru Ascent is feeling like it did before, such as hesitation when stepping on the gas. I believe Subaru put in a transmission that was the previous recalled one. I also believe that Subaru lied to me about putting in a brand new transmission. I have tried to make a service appointment for the recall and problems with the transmission, but there are no appointments available. I stopped looking when I got to the bookings that were a year out. No warning lamps before this, just hesitation when stepping on the gas pedal.

Filed Jul 12, 2022 · Transmission · 14,400 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the transmission was jerking and hesitating while driving. The approximate failure mileage was 14,400. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Transmission · SC

As I am driving when I move from coasting or light throttle application to applying the throttle there is a grinding sound and hesitation/momentary lack of engagement form the transmission. This is very concerning when traveling. Per the recall notice from Subaru at any time the transmission could lock-up or quit functioning and my family and I could be left on the side of the road with an inoperable vehicle. The issue was formally acknowledged by Subaru last December (2021) and the fix for this issue was supposed to be available in May 2022. It is now mid-June with no updates. This is very frustrating! Please follow-up with the manufacturer to require them to provided a new update on when the fix will be available. Thanks!

Filed May 24, 2022 · Transmission · WI

The car hesitates when I step on the gas, feeling like it stalled. This has happened since I purchased the vehicle and the dealer says I don't have a problem. I have pulled out into traffic only to have the car "stall' and I sit waiting to be hit. Subaru had a recall on this in 2020, but the dealer said I did not qualify for anything beyond reprograming. The problem persists. No warning lights or other messages.

Filed Dec 16, 2021 · Transmission · 30 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that occasionally at start-up and while driving up an incline, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 30. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Nov 29, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 53,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and shudder upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would resume normal operation soon after failure. The contact called a dealer and an appointment was made to have the vehicle inspected. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Filed May 10, 2021 · Engine, Visibility · 27,319 miles · UT

All warning lights came on last week may 5th 2021 while I was drivingthecarhone after dropping my daughtertoschool. I pulled over and called the dealership and was advise to take the car in. As I drove the engine started to lag and icouldnotdrive more than 45miles. Took the car to the dealership and found out the transmission was bad. This car is 2 1/2 years old and I've had so many problems with it. When the CVT was replaced the car never run the same, I've taken it to the dealership several times and let them know that there is something wrong with the car. It lags and hesitate duribg acceleration. Unfortunately they could not replicate the issue and that it was normal. Then this happen. I have reported the issue to subaru of america.

Filed Mar 23, 2021 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · CA

Purchased the ascent new, have had the vehicle in multiple times with transmission complaints only to have "updates done", transmission recently went completely out while turning across traffic in front of oncoming traffic, vehicle towed to closest dealership, transmission replaced, drove less than 30 miles, car still hesitating while trying to switch gears around 40mph and whining noise (same as initial 3 complaints prior to transmission going out completely). Went to closest dealership related to concern of driving on freeway for safety, was told transmission needed 2 updates (as previously told prior to transmission going out). Now 5th visit while still under factory warranty but will only warranty new transmission for 1 year. Vehicle also had a recall on CVT transmission/chain slip. Car is a safety hazard for myself and others on freeway yet I continue to be sent home with "CVT updates and a continued whining noise" even after this LED to transmission failure completely previously. Be very cautious when purchasing a subaru, issues started on car around feb. 2020 or 30,000 miles, transmission completely out at 50,000