2019 Subaru Ascent: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jul 20, 2025 · Transmission · IL

While driving on the highway, my vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate—this is the second time this has happened, with the first incident occurring in June 2022. Each time I bring the car to the dealership, I’m told that because the issue cannot be recreated on the spot, despite codes that are warranted for the QMR to be done they’re unable to inspect or apply the WRK-21 procedure to replace the transmission under warranty. Despite this, my car consistently slips during normal driving conditions. It shudders and surges unpredictably while accelerating in traffic, creating an extremely unsafe situation. Most recently, I was driving with my children when the car failed to accelerate as I attempted to merge across four lanes of highway traffic. I had to coast until I could safely pull over. On other occasions, the vehicle has jolted forward unexpectedly, nearly causing collisions and forcing me to slam on the brakes. This issue is not only recurring—it is dangerous. I am requesting that it be taken seriously and addressed appropriately under warranty.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Transmission · VA

When trying to maintain highway speeds (65 to 70 MPH) and driving in mountainous terrain of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or New York, the vehicle will shudder as if it is loosing power. The vehicle will rapidly loose speed. No warning code is issued. The only way to solve issue is depress the pedal to increase the RPMs. Took vehicle to dealer and reported that it felt as if the CVT chain was slipping. They said they could not recreate and there was no code.

Filed Dec 28, 2021 · Transmission · MI

2019 Subaru Ascent purchased new. The car only has about 25,000 miles on it now. I have had several incidents when driving on a curved road about 30 miles an hour the transmission jerks and causes the whole car to shudder abruptly sevral times in a row. Also when backing up and I completely stop the car before putting into drve, it jerks and makes a load noise. I have had the car into the Subaru dealer several times for these drivetrain problems and they say they never made a repair. They say they drove it and did not find the problem. They should have taken the transmission cover off and inpected the transmision chain and componnts. There was a prwvious transmission recall and now another one. Since the dealr allowed this problem to continue the transmission probably has mechanical damge.

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 Mar 12, 2021 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · AL

Vehicle has continued to make squealing noise and shuddering since previous transmission recall was addressed. This has occurred at speeds from 10-75 MPH. It happens multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times each day. Vehicle run time has ranged from approximately 5 minutes to 2+ hours. Vehicle has been checked multiple times by the dealership where it was purchased, who reports that nothing is wrong with it. I have a video of this, but it cannot be uploaded.

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 Dec 12, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 1,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Transmission · 8,500 miles · CT

Cvt appears to be faulty. While driving, rpms will jump up by 1-2k, stay at that level for a second or two, then drop down. When it drops, car will shudder or accelerate. Occassionally a screeching or grinding noise is heard. This has happened multiple times, but is not predictable. It has happened on the highway at speeds if 65 and above; and it has happened on city roads at speeds of 30. It sometimes happens multiple times in one trip; or it may go a week between events. Dealership has been unable to replicate it, says if they can't replicate it then the "best case scenario" for a diagnosis is for the transmission to fail and for us to be stranded. A internet search for "subaru ascent transmission problems" reveals that this is a rare problem, but seems to disproportionately affect ascents built in august of 2018. Subaru allegedly is replacing these transmissions once problem is diagnosed, but if it's a known problem then they should replace them all proactively.