Subaru Ascent hesitation problems

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 Feb 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Oil Leak(s) (found cam carriers leaking, front timing cover leaking, oil cooler leaking, upper and lower oil pan leaking. recommend engine reseal). Massive oil leaks found in car due to RTV sealant. Subaru uses RTV silicone sealant (formed-in-place gaskets) instead of traditional rubber gaskets for many sealing surfaces (cam carriers to heads, timing cover, oil pans, etc.). Transmission failure at 37,000miles which needed replacement. In dealership service for 52 days at that time. Transmission symptoms continued after replacement. Car hesitates while accelerating making it dangerous to accelerate to speed needed to merge into traffic. Same transmission symptoms occurring now that were present prior to complete transmission failure in 11/2021 that left me in middle of busy freeway with a disabled car. Subaru not taking transmission symptoms seriously. Continuous brush off from service and Subaru. Car is a lemon. Subaru not standing by product. Oil should not be leaking from every orfice of engine.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MI

I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 miles an hour. Other times when I’m at a light or stop sign it hesitates also. I was told there was nothing wrong with it and they reprogrammed to transmission but it didn’t help at all.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Transmission · PA

The CVT transmission has failed and been replaced three times despite proper maintenance. Subaru has replaced the transmission multiple times under warranty, but the failure continues to recur. •First CVT replacement at 50,542 miles •Second CVT replacement at 88,175 miles •Third CVT replacement at 92,832 miles This shows repeat failure, not wear-and-tear. It is a safety risk: The vehicle hesitates and loses power intermittently, which creates a safety risk when accelerating or merging into traffic. The most recent replacement is incorrectly listed as pan replacement.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Transmission · NC

The transmission/CVT component on the vehicle, 2021 Subaru Ascent is malfunctioning. When being driven, the malfunctioning transmission will cause the vehicle to hesitate in traffic, as well as feeling the slippage of the transmission when in motion. The vehicle also has a burning odor when being driven. NYS inspection was conducted on 10/27/25. The transmission malfunction has been confirmed by a Subaru dealer, who has had the vehicle at their dealership since 11/5/25, 34 days as of today. Subaru Advocacy , whom I have had many calls and emails with, is unwilling to replace the transmission at their cost.

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 61,900 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal to make a turn, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,900.

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 20, 2024 · Fuel system, Transmission · TN

I bought the Vehicle new at Subaru of Bristol, TN. At around 23,000 miles it starting lurching forward while idling, jerking and hesitating when trying to accelerate, or not accelerating at all. It was so bad that at one point, I pulled out to pass and almost got rear ended by a semi because it simply wouldn't engage and accelerate. I took it to the Wallace Subaru dealership on [XXX] at 25,578 miles. They drove the vehicle and did a software update and claimed it was fixed. It seemed ok for a couple of days and then started having the same issues again. I took it back to Wallace on [XXX] at 27,248 miles and also engaged Subaru of America. They had the vehicle until [XXX] during which time they replaced the transmission. It seemed ok for a few days and started doing the same thing again. I took it back to the dealership on [XXX] at 29,449. They performed no service because they claimed they couldn't replicate the issue. This past weekend, I almost had another wreck trying to merge from the on-ramp onto the interstate because the car literally just stopped accelerating and jerked for several seconds before engaging again. Cars were literally slamming brakes behind me to keep from hitting me. This car is unsafe to drive and it's either going cause me harm or someone else because Subaru, despite knowing this is a known issue with this model and certainly with this particular car, seems like they need me to have a wreck before they will continue servicing the vehicle and finding and fixing the issue. They need to buy it back for at least what I owe. I certainly don't want to trade it for another Subaru. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Ascent randomly hesitates when pulling out into traffic.. both at slow speeds and when attempting to pass on interstate.. has been at dealer service numerous times regarding this , it periodically 'walking' when parked and ranfom inability to get hatch to work. Is currently at a different dealer service as previous dealer was unable to replicate and unwilling to keep vehicle for more than the hour or 2 of service appt. Prev dealer did replace hatch motor over a year ago..but still works randomly..their fix for this is to manually reset everytime.. as for ' walking ' when parked, my ascent will very slowly move 6 to 8 feet when parked..dealer 'fix' is to only park with parking brake on. Hesitation issue is now worse since prev dealer did 'system update'.. now rpm drop to 1000 or lower, then after 3 or 4 seconds, car revs to 3 or 4 k & takes off..during the 3 or 4 seconds of hesitation, I am literally sitting in the middle of the road as the car initially starts to move forward, then literally just sits there until it revs up and takes off. This is random, so no way to record..and no rhym or reason to know when it's going to happen. Last week it nearly got me t boned by an 18 wheeler when I pulled out across 4 lanes after getting fuel. Have contacted Subaru of America requesting their help but have gotten no reply despite my 7 voicemail left for the assigned rep. My car is a 22 ascent touring with 17k miles..has been at same dealer repeatedly for same issues and their repeated reply us "unable to duplicate, so no issue.".. I am on Subaru Ascent page on FB.. There are numerous people complaining of same nasty hesitation issue with no resolution from their dealer service. I bought this car with a 10 yr 100k warranty..fortunately I have not been financially responsible for the numerous service calls, but I am seriously concerned with being a statistic..my car is listed as one of the top 10 safest in a crash, but I don't like feeling like a ' test dummy'