2019 Subaru Ascent · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 40owner reports
- 19,330median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
88 of the 440 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 40 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 40 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 12,000 and 53,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“On speeds of about 70+, both on cruise control and off, car jerks for about 5-10 seconds when accelerating on steep hills. It also happens after the car has been driving for more than 1hr or so. Fuel consumption is about 19-20mpg regardless of highway only driving contrary to advertised”
Filed Jan 18, 2023
“My transmission slipped for 6 months and was finally replaced just recently at 47,000 miles.”
Filed Jun 1, 2022 · 47,000 miles
“The car hesitates when I step on the gas, feeling like it stalled. This has happened since I purchased the vehicle and the dealer says I don't have a problem. I have pulled out into traffic only to have the car "stall' and I sit waiting to be hit. Subaru had a recall on this in 2020, but the dealer said I did not qualify for anything beyond reprograming. The problem persists. No warning lights or other messages.”
Filed May 24, 2022
“Due to an improper program, the CVT chain may slip, resulting in breakage of the chain guide. If the chain guide breaks, fragments of the guide could inhibit the shift select mechanism. If the vehicle continues operation with the drive chain slipping, over time the CVT drive chain could break. No remedy offered/available by manufacturer.”
Filed Mar 19, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 40 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Battery dies or the car will not start 137 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 75 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 36 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports