2020 Subaru Ascent transmission and drivetrain problems
58 of the 322 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 83 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 58 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 11
Half of the 16 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 3,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
322 complaints in all about the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 11 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Subaru Ascent transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My mother pulled off of Interstate 85 in North Carolina and while preparing to turn of the exit ramp the car lurched forward and then back. The transmission chain had snapped, and it seems similar to what was going on with the 2019 Subaru Ascent. This one is 2020, and had 16000 miles approximately. The vehicle had to be towed
I was crossing a four lane road going 20mph when there was a loud noise, which sounded like my transmission, then I could not accelerate my car. Thankfully I was able to coast across the road without being hit by another car to a safe parking spot. My check engine light, check transmission, and check eyesight lights all went on.
I stopped at a stoplight, when it turned green I stepped on the gas, the car lurched forward but would not move, engine was running. I was sitting on a 4-lane highway and my car would not move. Warning lights then appeared on my dashboard. Car was towed to a Subaru dealer who replaced the transmission after 5 days
Loss of power (intermittent) while driving at a constant lower speed and occasionally during acceleration. Additionally, when going up a hill the automatic transmission drops in gears which significantly increases rpms then once on flat road the vehicle takes some time to change gears.
2800 miles on vehicle. Today lost power twice going up steep hill (electrical functions still intact, was accelerating uphill and was similar to shifting into neutral then re-accelerated after 10-15 seconds, driving approx 30mph). Narrowly avoided collision due to slippery road, did briefly roll backwards before braking.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 21V955000 HighDec 9, 2021 · 198,255 vehicles
- 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.
83 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SubaruNet Announcement (C OtherAug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 16-154-25R Service bulletinAug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 16-150-24R Service bulletinAug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 16-132-20R Service bulletinAug 20, 2026
- This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
The 4 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0842 P2096 P0841 P0867 P1867 P2723 P0137 P0700
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Subaru Ascent names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Source: the same files- electrical problems 101 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 58 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (18% of everything owners filed about it), and 83 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 21V955000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,000 miles; half of them between 3,000 and 62,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.