MY BATTERY HAS DIED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO A LARGE CONTINUOUS INDEFINITE POWER DRAW WHEN THE REAR LIFT GATE IS OPEN. THE BATTERY WILL DIE WITH JUST AN HOUR OR TWO OF THE LIFTGATE BEING OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PACKING THE CAR AND WHILE CAMPING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT, AND SUBARU IN GENERAL, ARE ADVERTISED AS …
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MY BATTERY HAS DIED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO A LARGE CONTINUOUS INDEFINITE POWER DRAW WHEN THE REAR LIFT GATE IS OPEN. THE BATTERY WILL DIE WITH JUST AN HOUR OR TWO OF THE LIFTGATE BEING OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PACKING THE CAR AND WHILE CAMPING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT, AND SUBARU IN GENERAL, ARE ADVERTISED AS GOOD FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD LEAVE A FAMILY STRANDED IN THE WILDERNESS. I'VE BEEN LUCKY TO BE WITH PEOPLE THAT HAD MORE RELIABLE OUTDOOR VEHICLES TO PROVIDE A JUMP. AND NOW I KNOW I CAN'T TRUST MY CAR TO START SO I WON'T BE USING IT FOR EXTENDED OUTDOOR TRIPS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11327753
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2020
Electrical System
THE BATTERY DRAINS REPEATEDLY IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY. SUBARU CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND JUST REPLACES THAT BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326428
2,700 miles · May 27, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THIS 10-MONTH OLD CAR 4 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT AS I MAY GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. THE BATTERY GOES FLAT DEAD WITH NO ABILITY TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR, AND NO WAY TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326132
13,000 miles · May 26, 2020
Electrical System
ON OT ABOUT OCTOBER 6TH OF 2019, VEHICLE(WHITE 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING) WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE DAY PRIOR. IT FAILED TO START PRIOR TO A CRITICAL PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY APPOINTMENT. SUBARU SENT A MECHANIC TO JUMPSTART THE CAR AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE APT WAS MISSED DUE TO THE DELAY. ON OR ABOUT M…
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ON OT ABOUT OCTOBER 6TH OF 2019, VEHICLE(WHITE 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING) WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE DAY PRIOR. IT FAILED TO START PRIOR TO A CRITICAL PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY APPOINTMENT. SUBARU SENT A MECHANIC TO JUMPSTART THE CAR AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE APT WAS MISSED DUE TO THE DELAY. ON OR ABOUT MID-MAY OF 2020 THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. ATTEMPTS TO CHARGE THE BATTERY DID NOT WORK. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE RETURNED AGAIN AND JUMP STARTED THE CAR. IT WAS LEFT TO RUN FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326015
24,000 miles · May 23, 2020
Electrical System
DEAD BATTERY FOR NO REASON. UNABLE TO JUMP START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325642
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2020
Electrical System
THE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE WHEN THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN FOR A WHILE THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED ON THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIFT GATE TO OPEN WAS THE UNHOOK THE BATTERY THEN AFTER THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OVER WITH WHILE THE BATTERY COMPLETELY D…
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THE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE WHEN THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN FOR A WHILE THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED ON THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIFT GATE TO OPEN WAS THE UNHOOK THE BATTERY THEN AFTER THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OVER WITH WHILE THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED THEN FROM THEN ON THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO NOT BE FULLY CHARGED WHEN TO SUBARU THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE REP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323543
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2020
Electrical SystemService Brakes
AT FREEWAY SPEED, THE BRAKE MAKES NOISE AND VIBRATE WHEN YOU PRESS THE PEDAL LIGHTLY TO REDUCE SPEED, THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN YOU GO DOWNHILL. BATTERY DRAINS WHEN PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, REAR GATE DOES NOT LOCK WHEN CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11321584
3,000 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesVisibility/wiper
OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE IT NOT TOO LONG AFTER PURCHASING. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT OFF OR OUR DRUNK LOCKING AND WE CANT OPEN IT WE ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT.... WE PUT IN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE BREAK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. I NOTICED…
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OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE IT NOT TOO LONG AFTER PURCHASING. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT OFF OR OUR DRUNK LOCKING AND WE CANT OPEN IT WE ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT.... WE PUT IN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE BREAK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. I NOTICED IT WHEN I FIRST DROVE IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF THERE IS A SHAKE AND STALL BEFORE IT MOVES. ALSO WHEN DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE IT JOLTS AND THEN GOES AGAIN ALSO A COMPLAINT....
NHTSA ODI #11318214
7,544 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Electrical System
AFTER LEAVING THE REAR HATCH OPEN FOR AN EXTENDED TIME WHILE LOADING THE CAR FOR A TRIP TO FLORIDA, IT FAILED TO START. IT ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO BE JUMP START IT WITH ANOTHER CAR BATTERY. IT WAS FINALLY TOWED TO THE DEALER ON 12/31/19 & THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY & TESTED & REPROGRAMMED IT.SINCE I WAS GOING AWAY FROM HOME FOR AN EX…
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AFTER LEAVING THE REAR HATCH OPEN FOR AN EXTENDED TIME WHILE LOADING THE CAR FOR A TRIP TO FLORIDA, IT FAILED TO START. IT ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO BE JUMP START IT WITH ANOTHER CAR BATTERY. IT WAS FINALLY TOWED TO THE DEALER ON 12/31/19 & THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY & TESTED & REPROGRAMMED IT.SINCE I WAS GOING AWAY FROM HOME FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE THAT THE DISCHARGED BATTERY WOULD CAUSE FURTHER PROBLEMS, SO I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY & HAD IT INSTALLED. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, A SENSOR ON THE TAILGATE DID NOT SHUT OFF THE CARGO LIGHT WHEN IT WAS LEFT OPEN FOR THE EXTENDED PERIOD, WHICH DISCHARGED THE BATTERY TO ALMOST NO ENERGY REMAINING. THIS EXTREMELY LOW ENERGY CAUSED THE BATTERY NOT TO BE ABLE TO BE JUMPED & FORCED IT TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE CHARGED. I UNDERSTAND THAT ALMOST COMPLETE DISCHARGING OF A BATTERY SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENS ITS LIFE & RELIABILITY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL SUBARU HAS A DESIGNED DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THE BATTERY TO BE ALMOST COMPLETELY DISCHARGED BY HAVING THE TAILGATE OPEN FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO PACK THE CAR. THIS BELIEF IS REINFORCED BY CHECKING THE INTERNET & LEARNING THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES & HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO THE CAR MANUFACTURER. THE CAR MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO INSTITUTE A RECALL & PROVIDE A SOFTWARE "PATCH" & WHATEVER ELSE NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED OR CHANGED TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM DISCHARGING IN THE FUTURE. IF PART OF THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE OEM BATTERY WAS INAPPROPRIATELY SIZED, THEN THEY SHOULD ALSO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE NEW BATTERY THAT WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA ODI #11309670
5,500 miles · Feb 2, 2020
Electrical System
MY 2019 ASCENT WAS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WENT OUT TO CAR AND FOUND REAR TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN AND CAR WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS DEAD. JUMPSTARTED CAR AND DROVE IT TO THE STORE. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IT WENT DEAD, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WOULD NOT LOCK, TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO GET ROADSIDE SERVICE TO COME O…
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MY 2019 ASCENT WAS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WENT OUT TO CAR AND FOUND REAR TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN AND CAR WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS DEAD. JUMPSTARTED CAR AND DROVE IT TO THE STORE. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IT WENT DEAD, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WOULD NOT LOCK, TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO GET ROADSIDE SERVICE TO COME OUT AND START CAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT DID REPLACE THE BATTERY. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN A STORE PARKING LOT I CAME OUT AND FOUND THE REAR TAILGATE OPEN. NO ONE HAD PUSHED THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE TAILGATE? TODAY I FOUND THE CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND THE TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START, AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE BATTERY TO BE DEAD AGAIN. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN NORMALLY AROUND TOWN FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. ALL THE DOORS WERE SHUT AND NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN LEFT ON. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2019 AND HAS LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON IT PLUS THIS IS A NEW BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR AND BEING LEFT ON THE ROAD BY A DEAD BATTERY OR COMING OUT AND FINDING THE REAR TAILGATE OPEN IN A PARKING LOT.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 27, 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
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.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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 2019-2020 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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2019 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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