2019 Subaru Ascent: transmission slipping

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · VA

Cvt is slipping and failing internally, CVT assembly requires replacement.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Transmission · FL

Over the past few months the transmission has started randomly refusing to engage. When entering the expressway, you will press the accelerator, and the engine will rev and the vehicle will not accelerate at all. Then you let off the accelerator, let the engine RPM drop back down to idle, and press again and it will accelerate. This has happened 3 times in 2 months. Subaru is refusing to replace the transmission because their tech cannot personally reproduce the problem on demand, even though they have voluntarily extended the warranty on this model transmission due to slippage issues. They are instead going to change the transmission fluid, which has less than 1/2 the mileage for a typical fluid service, to mask the issue, risking the safety of passengers.

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 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 Oct 20, 2024 · Transmission · MA

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.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and attempting to accelerate on several occasions, the vehicle jolted forward while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer software needed to be updated. The software updated but the failure reoccurred after almost two months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that another software needed to be updated; however, the failure reoccurred after almost two months. The contact believed that the failure was associated with Manufacturer Recall Number: 16-139-22 CVT Assembly (WRK-21) Warranty Extension (TCM reprogramming to prevent CVT chain slip). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Transmission · 18,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while accelerating and shifting gears, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately accelerate as designed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Transmission · VA

Transmission completely failed last year April 2021 in the middle of Highway and car is stalled. Tow to dealership for transmission replacement. After almost a 1 year of driving the transmission problem is coming back with gears are slipping again. Took the car to dealership and this time they are doing the repair of transmission instead of replacement. I am not comfortable with the approach since I already bad experience and concerned about repair reliability. Called Subaru North America and waiting for resolution. There is already open recall for CVT transmission for this vehicle but no remedy yet from Subaru. It's safety concern as car broke down earlier in the middle of highway with heavy traffic.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Transmission · KS

My transmission slipped for 6 months and was finally replaced just recently at 47,000 miles.

Filed Mar 19, 2022 · Transmission · WI

Due to an improper program, the CVT chain may slip, resulting in breakage of the chain guide. If the chain guide breaks, fragments of the guide could inhibit the shift select mechanism. If the vehicle continues operation with the drive chain slipping, over time the CVT drive chain could break. No remedy offered/available by manufacturer.

Filed Feb 15, 2022 · Transmission · 18,000 miles · WA

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 while driving 40 MPH or above, the transmission was slipping. The transmission would then reduce power and regain power and the contact would pull over to reset the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was deemed undrivable. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Engine · CA

Transmission slipping especially while climbing an incline though it’s happened while on flat surface accelerating