The 2019 Ascent is Subaru's first three-row SUV on the global platform, powered exclusively by the FA24 2.4L turbo boxer. Early production years saw catastrophic engine failures and transmission cooler leaks that defined its problem profile—many units got complete short blocks or full rebuilds under extended warranty.
Catastrophic Engine Failure (FA24 Turbo) - Piston Ring Land Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden knocking or rattling from engine bay, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, White or blue smoke from exhaust, Dramatic oil consumption (quart per 500-1000 mi), Metal shavings visible in oil or on dipstick
Fix: Complete short block replacement or full engine rebuild required. Ring lands crack on pistons, sending debris through the oiling system and destroying bearings. This is typically 18-24 labor hours at a shop familiar with boxer engines. Subaru extended warranty coverage to 8yr/80k mi on many VINs, but post-warranty this is devastating. Includes timing components, fluids, and often turbo inspection.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure / Coolant-ATF Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid on dipstick, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Coolant level dropping without external leaks, Engine overheating or erratic temp gauge
Fix: The CVT's internal oil cooler or external cooler lines fail, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires CVT fluid flush, cooler replacement, coolant flush, and often full CVT replacement if contamination progressed. If caught early (just cooler line), 4-6 hours labor. If CVT is toast, 10-14 hours for R&R. This was subject to recalls and service campaigns but still surfaces post-coverage.
Estimated cost: $1,200-8,500
Fuel Pump Failure (High-Pressure Pump)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start or extended cranking, especially when hot, Random stalling at highway speed, Loss of power under acceleration, P0087 (fuel rail pressure too low) code, Fuel smell near tank or engine bay
Fix: The direct-injection high-pressure pump on the FA24 can fail internally or the low-pressure in-tank pump quits. Recalls covered some VINs for impeller issues. Tank pump is 2-3 hours (drop tank), high-pressure pump on engine is 3-4 hours including fuel system depressurization and repriming. Both pumps sometimes need replacement if contamination spread.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Software Faults and Hardware Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 2nd to 3rd gear simulation, Transmission warning light or check engine light with P17xx codes, Vehicle stuck in limp mode (won't exceed 3000 RPM), Intermittent failure to engage reverse, Juddering on light throttle at 20-40 mph
Fix: Subaru issued multiple TCM software updates to address shift logic and torque converter lockup. Some units need TCM replacement (integral to CVT valve body on this platform). Reflash is 1 hour, TCM replacement is 6-8 hours because it requires CVT removal or extensive disassembly. Dealers sometimes resist reflash if no active code is present.
Estimated cost: $150-2,200
PCV System / Crankcase Ventilation Failure Leading to Oil Consumption
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 1,500-3,000 mi) without visible leaks, Rough idle or hesitation, Check engine light with P0011, P0021 (cam timing codes), Oil residue around intake manifold or throttle body, Turbo seals leaking (oil in intercooler)
Fix: The FA24's PCV valve and oil separator can clog, causing crankcase pressure to force oil past rings or turbo seals. Recall 22V-395 addressed separator issues. Full system service includes PCV valve, separator, intake cleaning, and often valve cover gasket replacement. 4-6 hours labor depending on how much intake disassembly is required.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Driveshaft Center Support Bearing and Universal Joint Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or vibration from underneath at 30-50 mph, Vibration worsens under acceleration or deceleration, Squealing or grinding from center of vehicle, Visible grease splatter on undercarriage near center bearing
Fix: The two-piece driveshaft's center support bearing or U-joints wear prematurely, especially in AWD-heavy use. Subaru issued recall 23V-088 for some VINs due to bearing separation. Replacement is straightforward: 2-3 hours to drop driveshaft and install new center bearing assembly or full driveshaft. Alignment check recommended after.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Transmission Mount Failure (Rear Mount)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in Drive with foot on brake, Visible sag or tear in rubber mount during inspection, Excessive engine/trans movement when rocking vehicle
Fix: The rear transmission mount fatigues quickly under the Ascent's weight and torque. Simple replacement: 1.5-2 hours with basic hand tools. OEM part recommended over aftermarket for longevity. Common enough that inspecting mounts at every oil change is smart.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Owner tips
Check engine oil every 1,000 miles religiously—FA24 oil consumption is common even without failure, and low oil accelerates ring land cracking.
Inspect transmission fluid color every 30k mi; any pink or milky tint means immediate cooler line inspection to prevent CVT contamination.
Stay current on Subaru TSBs and recall lookups by VIN—many catastrophic issues had extended warranty or goodwill coverage if caught early.
Use Subaru-spec CVT fluid (High Torque CVTF-II) exclusively; aftermarket 'equivalents' cause shudder and premature wear on this transmission.
Address any check engine light immediately on the FA24—seemingly minor codes (cam timing, misfire) can be early warnings of oiling or PCV problems that snowball.
Buy only if comprehensive pre-purchase inspection shows recent engine work or if remaining powertrain warranty exists—these are capable family haulers when healthy, but catastrophic engine and transmission failures make high-mileage or out-of-warranty examples a serious gamble.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 21V955000
2021-12-09
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: 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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 19V855000
2019-12-02
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · 19V856000
2019-12-02
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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 19V519000
2019-07-10
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: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · 18V508000
2018-08-02
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: 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.
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