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The all-new Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler has had problems with its automatic transmission, and a new investigation could bring a lawsuit against Subaru of America. The Ascent was all-new for the 2019 model year and made at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The Ascent transmission issues put the SUV on the Consumer Reports 10-Least Reliable cars list.
A report from ClassAction.org says attorneys are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed following reports of transmission problems in the Ascent family hauler. What is the problem with the Ascent transmission?
Photo credit: Subaru of San Bernadino
Subaru Ascent owners have reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that they have had shifting problems. Drivers report feeling the vehicle hesitates, jerking or about to stall, and slipping of the continuous variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox.
Brian Jones, ASE certified master tech and Lemberg Law expert automotive contributor says there are several problems with the Ascent, and his investigation reveals, “Report after report talk about needing a new transmission shortly after purchasing the Ascent.”
Photo credit: Riverside Subaru via @MarcUrbano
Did Subaru have a recall for the Ascent transmission issues?
Subaru of America recalled 76,842 2019 model year Ascent SUVs over a faulty sensor in the transmission. The hydraulic transmission sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure, and the Continually Variable Transmission (CVT) chain may slip in Ascent 3-Row vehicles.
If the chain slips, there could be irregular noise, vibration, hesitation while driving, and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination. The NHTSA says if driving under this condition continues, the vehicle may experience a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles were manufactured between February 22, 2018, and May 7, 2019, and were eligible for a software update under the Subaru recall. ClassAction.org says attorneys investigating the problem have reason to believe the update may not have fixed the cars and that those built after May 7, 2019, and left out of the recall, also “suffer from the same transmission problem.”
What should Ascent owners do?
The report says, “In light of these reports, attorneys are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed. Before they can even consider filing a lawsuit, however, they need to speak with drivers to learn more about the problem.”
2019-2020 Subaru Ascent owners experiencing transmission slippage, jerking, shuddering, or other transmission issues can contact ClassAction.org here.
You Might Also Like: New Subaru Ascent Family Hauler 3 Year Report Card - Are The Problems Fixed?
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru, Riverside Subaru via @MarcUrbano, Subaru of San Bernadino
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Comments
My 2019 Ascent has had all 3
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My 2019 Ascent has had all 3 recalls serviced. The trans still jerks often at 55mph shift and at 26-30mph shift. Feels like you are going over a bumping road. Have to take it back in again for recheck
I had a 2019 Subaru ascent
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I had a 2019 Subaru ascent when fall of 2022 I noticed slippage and jerking. I took it in and they had my car for 3 months . After I got it back we drove 500 miles and noticed severe jerking and rpm were jumping around. No sensors went off in the vehicle. Took it in and they said the transmission was fried. They didn't have the parts so had to leave the car there until parts came in and was unsure how long it would be. They would not give us a loaner car. We were 500 miles from home.They said they would give us $8000 for my vehicle on a trade in. We ended up buying a used car which they said they would give us the same value minus some milage deductions either on a new trade or would buy it back if we decided not to trade. We were headed south for a month. On our way home we stopped and our vehicle was fixed . Now they said they would give us the same money back on a trade in but could not buy back to just get my original car back. We would loose $5000 if we sold it back to them. Ended up buying a new vehicle but very unhappy. This whole experience costs us a lot of money and it was a nightmare.
My subaru ascent 2019 has a…
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My subaru ascent 2019 has a transmission problem. The automatic transmission struggles with shifting gears. Hence making very dangerous and unsafe yields and stops in the middle of the road while driving.
My 2021 Ascent is having…
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My 2021 Ascent is having this problem and the 3 Subaru dealership I’ve taken it to say that Subaru of America will not do anything because the computer is not showing any coded issues. The car has lost so much power and fuel economy. Between 50-60 mph the car studders, jerks and squeaks while the transmission slips and cause very unsafe driving response. I’m afraid to pass at times or put my foot into the car in any way. The worst part is that I told them about the problem and they said, “ Oh ya, there’s a recall bring it in and we will replace the transmission after we update the computer.” They updated the computer, cleared the codes and took it for a test drive. They told me they noticed slippage and sounds, but that they were normal and that I’m not used to this type of tranny. Since then I’ve brought it in 2 times. The tech rides along and drives the car saying holy crap ya I’ll put the computer on it and we’ll get this fixed right away. An hour later…. “Sir, the computer didn’t read any slipping and is saying the car is fine so Subaru won’t do anything to help you.” If anyone knows of a solution please help us. I’ll do what ever I need to do, but I’m about to trade it in. I don’t know what else to do. I’m afraid if I don’t get ride of it I’ll have a huge problem anyway day.