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The Subaru Ascent CVT Lawsuit Settlement And What Customers Need To Know

Subaru agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that its Ascent 3-Row SUVs were equipped with a defective Subaru CVT transmission. Here is what customers need to know.
2019-2020 Subaru Ascent lawsuit

In the recent Subaru Ascent CVT class action lawsuit, Subaru of America agreed to a settlement to resolve claims that its 3-Row SUVs were equipped with a defective continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees of 2019-2020 model year Subaru Ascent 3-Row midsize SUVs. According to the information I obtained from Top Class Actions, the class action lawsuit says Subaru equipped its Ascent vehicles with defective CVTs that could cause jerking, lurking, loss of power, and other problems. 

2019 Subaru Ascent side viewClaims against Subaru 

The Ascent midsize SUV is manufactured in the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant. The report says the plaintiffs claim that "Subaru continued to force customers to foot the bill to repair these issues despite knowing that a defective CVT was the source of repeated repairs."

However, Subaru of America has not admitted any wrongdoing, but the Camden, N.J. automaker agreed to pay an undisclosed sum as part of a settlement to resolve the defective CVT class action lawsuit.

2020 Subaru Ascent rear viewWhat will class members receive from the settlement?

"Under the terms of the Subaru settlement, all class members can benefit from an extended warranty for qualifying repairs up to a complete CVT replacement. This extends the existing powertrain limited warranty to include the transmission shaft and other failures or components that a faulty MPT clutch could damage." 

"The extended warranty covers repairs for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The settlement also provides an extended parts warranty to cover any MPT clutch replacement for two years with no mileage limit." 

What is the additional potential award?

"Class members who had at least two previous instances of attempting to repair a qualifying CVT transmission can receive a voucher. Class members can receive a voucher worth $400 for two visits or a voucher worth $750 for three or more visits."

"Class members who paid for previous out-of-pocket repair costs may be able to receive cash reimbursement for these repairs. To receive reimbursement, repair costs must not have been previously reimbursed and must be documented."

When is the final approval hearing?

The report says the deadline for exclusion and objection was February 29, 2024. The final approval hearing for the Subaru CVT settlement is scheduled for April 16, 2024.

Who is eligible to receive an award?

Current and former owners and lessees of 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent SUVs.

Class members must submit a valid claim form by April 15, 2024, to receive settlement benefits.

You must provide proof of multiple qualifying CVT failure visits.

Class members claiming repair costs must submit an invoice or relevant document for each diagnosis, testing, or repair. The documentation must indicate the VIN, vehicle make and model, date of diagnosis, testing, and/or repair, vehicle mileage at the time of the repair, and a detailed account of the work performed, including a breakdown of parts and labor, if available, proof of the total amount paid for parts and labor, and the facility that performed the repair, replacement, test, or diagnosis.

How can you submit a claim?

Click on the link here for a reimbursement and voucher claim form. 

This is the latest information regarding the Subaru Ascent CVT lawsuit settlement. I'll keep you updated with any new information.

Until then, visit torquenews.com/subaru regularly and bookmark the page for my latest updates.

What about you? Have you experienced issues with a 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent CVT? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru Ascent story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

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Watch 2019 Subaru Ascent - Long-Term Wrap Up

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

Stephanie West (not verified)    March 15, 2024 - 7:54AM

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We purchased our 2020 Subaru Ascent with 114000 miles on it. Already over the new extended warranty. Within a week started experiencing the slipping of the transmission and the jerking. We reached out to SOA as advised by our dealer and after 2 months of not having our vehicle and very little response unless initiated by us, they finally agreed to pay $1000 towards a fix of a $10,000 new transmission. We ended up replacing the transmission and now less than 3000 miles later, the jerking has started again. We have no more recourse for help and way more money on this car than its worth. I wish I would never have strayed from Honda!

Steve Soley (not verified)    May 22, 2024 - 6:48PM

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I am a 35 year retired Toyota technician. I am the owner of a 2020 Ascent that, I have just been informed, needs transaxle repairs. I have just been put into the position of waiting for the factory to authorize repairs. This article is most helpful in beginning my research. I am wondering if, even after repairs, is the problem going to be resolved, or am I on the repair and subsequent failure merry go round. I would love to see a viable resolution to the permanent repair on Subaru's behalf

biaspoint (not verified)    September 4, 2024 - 12:56PM

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Subaru is not honoring the extended warranty on a 2019 ascent under 100,000 miles. They claim it requires a complete transmission replacement... which would seem to fall under the requirements of this lawsuit?

The vin number query on the website shows that it as "The VIN you entered belongs to a Class Vehicle. For more information, please review the Class Definition in FAQ 4 or contact the Settlement Administrator"

How do we contact the administrators of the lawsuit for help?
Thanks!

biaspoint (not verified)    September 6, 2024 - 1:13PM

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FYI for others. The extended warranty does not apply to everything within the transmission, only certain items that break (or cause other items to break) within the transmission are blessed with the extended warranty.

Thanks SOA for a pile of crap... thankfully this will be my first and last.