Subaru Ascent Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 191 of the 1,043 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019–2025 Subaru Ascent (18.3%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2019 and 2020.
Transmission complaints
191
Filed with NHTSA, 2019–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
18.3%
of 1,043 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Subaru Ascent transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019WORST | 90 | 20.3% | 2 | 21V95500019V85500019V519000 | 87 |
| 2020WORST | 60 | 18.5% | 0 | 21V955000 | 78 |
| 2021 | 21 | 19.8% | 0 | — | 46 |
| 2022 | 14 | 25% | 0 | — | 41 |
| 2023 | 3 | 6.4% | 0 | 23V647000 | 31 |
| 2024 | 3 | 5.9% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 5 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Subaru Ascent transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 191 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Subaru Ascent years to avoid for the transmission
2019 Subaru Ascent
90 transmission complaints (20.3% of the year's 443). Most often described: slipping or revving without accelerating. Covered by transmission recalls 21V955000, 19V855000, 19V519000.
2020 Subaru Ascent
60 transmission complaints (18.5% of the year's 325). Most often described: slipping or revving without accelerating. Covered by transmission recall 21V955000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Subaru Ascent years to avoid.
Subaru Ascent transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Subaru Ascent model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 23V647000 · 2023-09-21 · 2023 models
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- 21V955000 · 2021-12-09 · 2019–2020 models
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
- 19V855000 · 2019-12-02 · 2019 models
The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
- 19V519000 · 2019-07-10 · 2019 models
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
Which transmission does the Subaru Ascent use?
- Subaru CVT — 2019–2020 (extension years)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 90 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 20.3% of all 443 complaints for that year. The most common description is "slipping or revving without accelerating" (23 complaints). 3 transmission-related recalls cover it: 21V955000, 19V855000, 19V519000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 60 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 18.5% of all 325 complaints for that year. The most common description is "slipping or revving without accelerating" (15 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 21V955000.
Which Subaru Ascent years have the most transmission complaints?
2019 (90), 2020 (60) and 2021 (21), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Subaru Ascent transmission problems?
In the 191 transmission complaints, owners most often describe slipping or revving without accelerating (27.2%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (17.8%) and transmission repaired or replaced (17.8%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Subaru Ascent model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration