2021 Subaru Ascent problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NV

Twin Falls Subaru left me in a dangerous position with my transmission failing catastrophically on the highway 72 hours after major service is a severe safety hazard My 2021 Subaru Ascent with 56,420 miles, still under the 60,000 mile/5 year warranty, went to Twin Falls Subaru with diagnostic codes P0137, and P2096 on 8/15/26 they replaced the following, the engine harness,. transmission harness, transmission pressure sensor and ecm. They said the root problem was the secondary pressure switch, Subaru of America & Twin Falls Subaru said those repairs weren’t covered under warranty and I had to pay $3000 out of pocket, SOA covered the remaining $5100. I picked it up 10/13/26, (on 10/16/26, three days later my check engine light came on along with the AT oil temp and transmission flashing on the dash, the diagnostic codes I received were P0700 P0841 P0890, Subaru Of America paid to have my vehicle towed back to the dealership where they said I needed a new transmission, but they weren’t covering it because my warranty had expired 14 days prior (on 10/2/26), during the time it was getting the first repairs done, they claimed that the two incidents had nothing to do with one another. The DPSM claims a transmission pressure switch failure that flooded the wiring harness with fluid is 'unrelated' to the transmission total collapse 72 hours later. They

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Driver assistance · ID · crash · 1 injury

2021 Subaru Ascent was involved in a serious collision with highway maintenance equipment near [XXX]. The vehicle's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, specifically Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Collision Braking, is suspected of failing to respond appropriately to slower-moving equipment directly ahead. At the time of the collision, Adaptive Cruise Control was actively engaged and controlling vehicle speed. Lane Centering, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keep Assist were also enabled. The vehicle was traveling within its designated lane when it approached a highway maintenance truck equipped with a rear-mounted crash attenuator. The maintenance truck appeared to be moving slowly in the same lane. Despite Adaptive Cruise Control controlling vehicle speed, the Subaru did not adequately slow to avoid the collision. The driver reported no effective forward collision warning or automatic emergency braking intervention. Whether the system detected the equipment or attempted braking is UNKNOWN. The impact caused extensive front-end damage and airbag deployment. The driver was pregnant, and two children, ages [XXX] and [XXX], were passengers. All occupants and the unborn child were placed at significant risk of serious injury. Whether any EyeSight warnings, fault messages, or diagnostic trouble codes were present before impact is UNKNOWN. The suspected malfunction has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealership or independent service center. A manufacturer engineering inspection has not been confirmed. Photographs document the accident scene and vehicle damage. The extent of police or insurance technical inspections and the vehicle's current availability for inspection are UNKNOWN. An investigation is requested into Adaptive Cruise Control, forward object detection, and Pre-Collision Braking, including preservation and review of available electronic collision data to establish why the systems did not prevent or effectively mitigate the collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Trying to turn onto the street from a parking lot the vehicle wasn't accelerating as expected and I wasn't able to turn as expected. I am taking the car in soon to be diagnosed with an issue.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Visibility · NJ

I purchased a new 2021 Subaru Ascent in XXX. In XXX, at about 36,000 miles, I discovered water leaking into the cabin through the panoramic moonroof during rain and brought it to Lynnes Subaru ([XXX]) immediately. Through repeat visits and recurrences, Lynnes failed to diagnose it, blaming clogged drains. In fall 2025 they identified it, with help from a Subaru corporate regional engineer, and performed a moonroof replacement. Because I acted quickly EACH TIME water entered, there was no odor or upholstery damage at that time. Water intrusion continued in areas not visible inside the cabin (seatbelt recess). [XXX] and SOA knew right away water was still entering the vehicle. SOA told me to work with [XXX], and [XXX] had me wait for a loaner before re-examining it, because the water was not in the main cabin, headliner, etc. For over two months they set no start date, then stopped contacting me altogether. When warm weather arrived in spring 2026, a strong mold and mildew odor developed. I brought the vehicle in, loaner or not. [XXX] cleaned the drains and returned it in under two hours with the odor and mold unchanged. I was shocked they would allow, let alone instruct me to take possession of a vehicle that was a rolling biohazard! I fought with SOA to relocate the vehicle to [XXX] Subaru, a second Subaru dealer. [XXX] confirmed the water damage, mold, and improper prior work, including rear drain hoses pinched during [XXX]' reassembly. SOA authorized a goodwill repair: a second full moonroof replacement, completed around XXX, replacing moonroof, drains, headliner and carpet. On XXX, roughly five weeks after pickup, water intrusion recurred following ordinary rain, leaking into the driver-side A-pillar, and the vehicle went back to [XXX] immediately. The mold and mildew odor has never left the vehicle. Children regularly ride in this vehicle, which is currently at the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Electrical · CA

After my husband replaced the 12V battery in my 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring ($90,000, fully paid off), Apple CarPlay stopped connecting via USB entirely. Android Auto and Bluetooth continued working fine on the same phone, cable, and port, proving the defect was isolated to Subaru's CarPlay system, not my device. I spent significant time and money troubleshooting this myself: multiple cables (including two labeled "Apple certified"), a full infotainment factory reset, and a software update attempt, none of which fixed it. The issue only resolved after I purchased yet another cable at my own expense, with zero meaningful help from Subaru. When I filed a formal complaint, I received a response with an appointment confirmation left entirely blank (no retailer, date, or time), which I was told was "intentional" so I could fill in my own details, shifting all scheduling and diagnostic responsibility back onto me. When I requested compensation for hours spent troubleshooting a defect that was never mine to fix, I was told plainly that no compensation exists. Shortly after, my key fob began requiring near-direct contact with the door and push-start button to register, despite a confirmed correct, brand-new battery, ruling out the simplest cause. This is a second unexplained electrical issue on the same vehicle in a short span. Subaru's support has been dismissive and apathetic throughout, repeatedly redirecting responsibility back to me as the consumer rather than taking ownership of manufacturer-level defects.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · WY

My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission - per the Subaru of America service tree. This issue began on July 23, 2026, when a slew of warning lights illuminated on the dash and my car went into limp mode, not accelerating properly. It eventually began driving normally and all dash warning lights dissipated. Dealership couldn't see the car at that time, then I was out of town for about a week. Came back, experienced the same issues within 2 days of driving the car. I was able to get it into the dealership for service on 8/6 where it was diagnosed, according to the Subaru Service Tree, as needing a new transmission. Subaru technicians cleared the codes, and I took the car home on 8/7/26 with the warning from my dealership that it was only a matter of time before the transmission failed. The lights / limp mode driving came on again on 8/9 and I have not driven it since that date. I have opened a case with SoA and am waiting on a "resolution". I do not feel safe driving my vehicle so it has been sitting in the driveway since 8/9 while I wait on a resolution from Subaru of America.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

My 2021 Subaru Ascent (40,000 miles) suffered multiple major mechanical failures that pose ongoing safety concerns: 1. Engine Oil Leak: The vehicle developed an active engine oil leak at 20,000 miles, posing a risk of fluid contacting hot exhaust/engine components under the hood or causing low oil levels during operation. Repair time more than 35 days due to parts not available. 2. Loose Factory Engine Mounts: At 25,000 miles, excessive engine shifting, vibration when braking, the dealer discovered loose engine mounts. 3. Transmission Valve Body Failure: At 40,000 miles The transmission Valve Body Failure and need replacement.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Transmission · 101,541 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to stall, and the transmission failed to properly operate. The vehicle was pulled over to a nearby shop and was advised to take the vehicle back to the facility that performed the oil changes. Several days later, the contact's husband test drove the vehicle and was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and metal shavings were found in the oil. The dealer determined that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,541.

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Engine · IA

Oil leaking from upper and lower oil pan. Oil seeping from head gasket and CVT chain pump cover. RTV sealant failure. $4800 to repair. Subaru needs to solve these oil leak issues. Leaking oil is bad for the environment and engine failure could cause accidents and injury.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · TX

On May 14, 2026, while driving a 2021 Subaru Ascent (approx. 94,291 miles) on a Texas expressway at highway speed during rush hour, I experienced a sudden and significant loss of engine power. There were no warning lights, no safety system activation, and no advance indication of the failure. The vehicle decelerated abruptly with traffic behind it. Live OBD-II data was being logged during the drive and was provided to the service advisor at the authorized Subaru retailer. This incident occurred only 3 days and approximately 125 miles after the vehicle was returned following a major engine repair performed at an authorized Subaru retailer in Texas under active powertrain warranty. That repair was supervised by a Subaru of America District Quality Manager and Field Technical Specialist, who conducted a 110-mile validation drive prior to release. Prior to the highway failure, visible fluid leaks were documented across the intake ducting, residue on lower engine components, a sweet and burning odor after driving, and milky sludge returning to the coolant reservoir — all within 125 miles of pickup. These are consistent with ongoing oil and coolant cross-contamination, which was the original diagnosis documented in the dealership's digital service portal. The vehicle has now undergone three major engine teardowns since March 17, 2026 — over 100 days out of service — for the same underlying powertrain issue on the FA24 engine. The current repair involves cylinder heads sent to a third-party machine shop. Vehicle telematics confirm the vehicle has not been started since May 27, 2026. This report is filed to establish a federal safety record of the highway power loss incident and the recurring nature of this powertrain failure. An active Subaru of America customer advocacy case is on file regarding this vehicle.