Subaru Ascent transmission and drivetrain problems, 2019–2027
182 of the 1,033 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Ascent 2019–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (88), 2020 (58), 2021 (19). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 manufacturer bulletins, 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Ascent transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 36 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 14 | 25% | — | 46 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 19 | 19% | — | 51 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 58 | 18% | 25k | 83 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 88 | 20% | 18k | 92 TSBs · 3 recalls | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 56 · 2023: 24 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 31
Across the model years, half of the 54 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 7,000 and 47,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign numbers: 19v856000 (engine and engine cooling) and 19v855000 (power train). The contact stated that the GPS unit was inoperable.
We are noticing periodic issues with the CVT in this new car. Occasionally we get a high-pitched whine, a sound like a belt slipping, a loss of power, and a sudden bump when the CVT seems to adjust to the situation and return power and normal driving. Internet is full of people reporting the issue.
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.
Every time I go out of park there is a massive clubking noise from under the car. It's actually a super common item with these cars I am seeing as well in other forums. I believe this could lead to sheared parking brakes in the future
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V647000 HighSep 21, 2023 · 4,311 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- 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.
- 19V855000 HighDec 2, 2019 · 76,842 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
- 19V519000 HighJul 10, 2019 · 166 vehicles
- 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.
4 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2026Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 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.
- Aug 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.
- Aug 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.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Ascent
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Ascent problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Ascent years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 88; 2020, 58; 2021, 19. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (25%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Subaru Ascent?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V647000 (2023), 21V955000 (2020), 19V855000 (2019), 19V519000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Subaru Ascent?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 18,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 47,000. 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.