Subaru Ascent jerking problems

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into the engines wiring at the car computer, transmission computer, and bulkhead connector in fuse box causing all sorts of engine codes. The setting of the engine code closes all the vehicles driver safety systems and changes the dynamic of the drivers driving experience. As the problem gets worse, it can render the car powerless on roads and highways making operation dangerous. I have my car parked in front of the house with the battery and electrical connectors unplugged. This problem is covered by one or more recalls and safety campaigns, but subaru refuses to fix mine and other peoples that I found on Facebook. Someone online listed a $6500.00 repair estimate. They just had it repossessed instead. This part causes the pressure differences that cause the jerky ride and is specifically alluded to in the recall, plus subaru even changed the part because it was defective.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · TX

My 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited had a safety recall that was related to a CVT transmission issue. That safety recall was addressed by Sewell Subaru (Dallas, TX) in January of 2025. This past Wednesday, July 29, I was driving on a state highway on my way to work from my residence. Not even two miles away from my residence, I felt a jerk and a loud "thud". That was followed by loss of power in that the vehicle just was rolling, but no power from the gas. I was able to safely maneuver onto a the shoulder and stop the vehicle. Within minutes, I noticed a puddling of a large amount of fluid that I could easily recognize was not oil. The vehicle was towed back to Sewell Subaru this past Saturday and I was notified today that the CVT belt snapped and it caused a hold in the transmission case, which caused the fluid to leak. The service advisor also mentioned that Subaru is not wanting to cover the replacement and that they are citing that the reason is that Subaru records are showing irregular servicing done by a Subaru service center. This issue has nothing to do with routine maintenance, or where I get those, and has everything to do with the catastrophic failure of the very same component that was at the heart of their known safety recall issue.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The Transmission is slipping on my 2020 Ascent. I had the recall wrk-21 performed in July of 2025. Over the last 6 months the car has been hesitant to go at low speeds and shakes at high speeds. Over the last month the transmission started to slip while accelerating , especially up hill. There would be a grinding noise and RPMs would jump. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed it was the transmission via camera test. I called Subaru of America for goodwill help with the cost knowing that there is a know issue with the transmission. They refused due to the mileage, 121,010. •What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission is slipping •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car is hesitant to go from a starting position. The car will jerk back and forth when trying accelerate when merging or crossing a road. I am also very concerned of catastrophic failure at high speeds. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer has confirmed the transmission is bad via camera teat. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Just the dealership •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No dash lights just the feeling and sounds.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Transmission · CO

We have been dealing with issues with this vehicle since 2024. We had 3 open recalls which we took into the closest dealership to us and things were okay for a few months and then started having issues again. We live in a small town and it is hard to get to the dealership so we had a few local mechanics take a look and one had found that the exhuast recall was not installed properly and so he addressed that issue. Things were then okay for a little bit after that and then we started having bigger issues the car would not exceed 30 MPH in the middle of us driving and then the car would jerk back and forth. After advice from Subaru of America we got it checked out at a dealership who put a part into the vehicle and then we got it back and less than a week later the car was doing the same things. We took it back and they kept the car for 2 weeks but told us they could not duplicate the problem so we got the car back and right away had the same issues when taking it home. The CVT is for sure messing up we believe and now the car does not drive at all. After some back and forth we found out that the 1st owners took it in for the CVT recall so I reached out to the dealership who did that and was told that they did look at it but at the time the CVT was not an issue but the mileage was fairly low at that time. Personally I am not in a place to afford to get it replaced on my own but I do not believe that the recall should have been closed out knowing that the part would eventually go out since it is a known issue on that car I have tried to go back and forth to get this resolved but I am not getting anywhere and I am not sure what to do at this point to try and get the problems address and made right.

Filed Feb 28, 2026 · PA

While driving the passenger door window behind the driver burst, then began falling into the car. The safety issue would have occurred if one of my grandchildren were sitting there. Also, the startling event of it just bursting and possible causing a jerk in the car. The dealer said that they have not heard of this and would not repair under warranty (brand new car, purchased in September). Police investigated and saw nothing that would have caused an outside force to break the window. No warnings

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 Sep 15, 2025 · Driver assistance · OH

Incident Description – Event 1 On August 28, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m. while driving on Sugar Ridge Road, my 2023 Subaru Ascent suddenly jerked violently into the left lane without warning while the EyeSight Driver Assist system was active. I had to take immediate corrective action to maintain control and avoid a head-on collision. This behavior has occurred on multiple occasions under similar circumstances. My husband has also experienced the same issue while driving, which demonstrates this is not an isolated event. Incident Description – Event 2 On multiple other occasions, while the EyeSight Driver Assist system was engaged, the vehicle veered dangerously close to a semi-truck traveling beside us. I had to react instantly to prevent sideswiping the truck, which could have resulted in a severe accident. We have noticed this behavior occurs nearly every time we are alongside a semi-truck on the highway.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Transmission · PA

On Friday, June 13, 2025, while (thankfully) in my driveway, the transmission broke on my 2021 Subaru Ascent in my driveway. I simply started my car, put it in reverse, and my car jerked and stopped. NO prior warning. I was on a slight slope. I thank my lucky stars I did not have my kids out on the road when it happened. I had to have it towed to the closest Subaru dealership (a $395 charge). Upon inspection, my transmission (the CVT model) was no longer working. My car was bought in December 2021 and it has around 80,000 miles on it. In researching, I saw that the 2019 and 2020 models with the CVT had been recalled (or had their warranties extended to 100,000 miles coverage) for the EXACT thing that happened to my car. If I am correct, my car was manufactured in November of 2020 from what I was told. I find it so hard to imagine that a transmission should fail due to "no reason" at this point, my car is not even 5 years old! The fact that this has happened on cars right in the timeframe of when mine was made, it's hard to imagine I should have to pay almost $10,000 for a new transmission when the history of these transmissions failing have been quite newsworthy! It was not fixable, the only choice I was given was to buy a new transmission. In today's economy, I just find this unacceptable.

Filed Feb 19, 2025 · Transmission · OR

Ever since our car went in for re-programing CVT drive chain it progressively has been having a problem of something slipping in drive and in cruise control. feels like a loss of power and a feeling chatter from transmission. Now when you put it in drive it makes a jerking noise. the thing is that we never had this problem until it went in for this recall. it's been back twice and they claim they can't find any problem but continues to get worse. it happens every time we drive it . just returned a 700 mile trip and it's very annoying. Also we do have an extended warranty.

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)