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2019 Subaru Ascent Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Subaru Ascent carries 9 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT slipping and loss of motive power.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

9 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign #19V855000 · Feb 12, 2019

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

Risk: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign #21V955000 · Sep 12, 2021

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #21V587000 · Jul 29, 2021

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #20V218000 · Apr 16, 2020

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Campaign #19V856000 · Feb 12, 2019

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Campaign #19V519000 · Oct 7, 2019

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.

Risk: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Campaign #18V508000 · Feb 8, 2018

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Campaign #22V907000 · Aug 12, 2022

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.

Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #26V436000 · Jul 7, 2026

Issue: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Subaru Ascent.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT slipping and loss of motive power

POWER TRAIN

46 NHTSA complaints · 2021-11 → 2026-08

“At a stop sign I pulled out before oncoming traffic with what should have been plenty of time, but transmission failed. It seemed to have had chain slip; completely stopping the car when I was in oncoming traffic”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11750736
“When entering the expressway, you will press the accelerator, and the engine will rev and the vehicle will not accelerate at all. Then you let off the accelerator, let the engine RPM drop back down to idle, and press again and it will accelerate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11702574
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754594

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Recall 21V955000 repair parts unavailability

POWER TRAIN

15 NHTSA complaints · 2022-02 → 2022-09

“It has been since February and they still do not have a fix for recall 21V-955 I have called the dealership several times without a solution”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473386
“The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467147
“This safety recall is open since November 2021 and the manufacturer still has not initiated repairs , how long are consumer supposed to drive their vehicles with this serious safety issue risking safety ?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463599

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parasitic battery drain and no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

50 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2025-08

“Battery drains fully from unknown reason. This has happened at least 3 times since purchasing the vehicle, brand new, in 2019. I have had to call roadside assistance within the first year and have purchased a 2 other new batteries”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11488735
“Rear lift gate drains battery to the point where the vehicle won't start. The tailgate will beep three times, but will not open. Within 24 hours, the battery is insufficient to start it. You have to do a manual override to open the lift gate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537790
“On numerous occasions (probably 12-18 times) over the last 18 months our new Ascent will not start because of a dead battery”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11419888

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield cracking without impact

VISIBILITY/WIPER

33 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2025-02

“Windshield broke for no reason. Crack not associated with any damage or weather incident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533546
“The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she heard a cracking sound coming from the windshield and saw a minor crack on the driver's side of the windshield. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence and parked it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449995
“I am currently replacing my 3rd front windshield in 11 months on my 2019 Subaru Ascent (First 8.19.21, Second: 4.15.22; Third was replaced 7.5.22) from a simple rock chip”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11472419

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front strut and suspension noise

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2022-02 → 2024-11

“There is a knocking or clunking noise at low speeds during and after turning in the front driver's side of the vehicle. Car has 17,500 miles on it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608636
“The front suspension is making a clanking noise. Inspection of the front strut towers tops shows an interior separation of the rubber in the Strut bearing at 63k miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11583493
“We observed Subaru Ascent 2019 (Limited) car handling poorly over bumpy areas, especially over bumps on turns even at speeds under 40 mph. Car feels as if it is loosing contact with the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626570

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Smoke from exhaust at startup

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2021-07 → 2025-03

“Huge plumes of smoke on startup. Complained to the service department on multiple occasions and even left the car with the dealer service department. They said they could not duplicate my complaint”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11425761
“My vehicle smokes when starting it. A lot of white smoke that can fill a parking lot. The smoke has a strong chemical smell”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11645828
“When starting it blows blue smoke out of tail pipes that lingers in the air”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480214

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

9 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Subaru Ascent reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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