Used 2019 Subaru Ascent SUV Consumer Reviews
Used Ascent for sale
Very disappointing vehicle
Mel K, 03/16/2019
2019 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
167 of 173 people found this review helpful
We had 3 Outbacks prior to purchasing the Ascent. Before ordering we did the usual test drive but, unfortunately, not long enough to realize the issues with steering and CVT stutter. We picked up our Ascent and proceeded to do 2 road trips totalling 6,000 in 3 months. During that time it became clear that there is an issue with many reporting the same thing: stuttering CVT transmissions and no road feel. Your driving along at highway speed and you feel this random lurch. The other issue that became apparent is the lack of road feel due to the electronic steering. Tried turning off lane keeping assist which helped slightly however the steering would suddenly feel as though it was driving itself with the wheels moving independently of my control. I took it to 2 different dealers during our trips and our local dealer when we got home because the steering issue was getting worse. Each time got the usual "everything checks out, its within specs". I hesitated before buying the first generation of the Ascent. I reasoned that Subaru has always been such a great vehicle. Having bought a 2015 Outback Ltd which was the first model to have eyesight, lane keeping, blind spot technology. Because I never had one problem with it I figured I'd be safe. This will be a great model eventually but Subaru needs to pay attention to what the dealers and blogs are reporting. I was not the first Ascent owner to report steering or CVT issues based on my conversations with the repair people. The upshot is that I traded it in for a 2019 Outback touring. I miss the room of the Ascent but not the gas mileage, steering or stuttering CVT. An aside: why can't they make the passenger seat on the more expense models fully adjustable like the driver's seat.
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Transmission problems
Ab W, 04/06/2019
updated 04/12/2022
2019 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
76 of 78 people found this review helpful
I really, really want to love this car, but, honestly, right now I don't. I have never bought a brand new car, but I decided to do so after I had been rear ended last year and needed a new car. Shopped around and almost bought an Acura MDX (hindsight I should have!). I wanted something very safe and very reliable that would last me many years like my Honda Pilot had, and still is (155,00 miles and not a lick of trouble!). Picked up my Ascent in September after I had ordered it in July. While driving I would notice that it shifted funny and that the RPM's would go really high going up hills sometimes. I figured it was how it was supposed to be and never gave it much thought until one day it started shifting gears back and fourth driving at the same speed on level road. Took it for an oil change and told them about it and, yeah, it needed a new transmission. It also had to have the passengers side seatbelt replaced because it wouldn't release after you buckled up. Then the entertainment center would go daffy when you'd try and make a call and radio would come on full blast when you were calling someone. So, they ordered a new transmission and new passenger side seatbelt and fixed everything which took 3 weeks. After having the car back for a month or so, and putting about 1000 miles on it, I'm now having transmission problems AGAIN! Seriously?? And, the seat belt does the same thing; not all the time, but it still does it. So, I just called service again and I am now waiting to hear back from them. Honestly, I don't ever think I'll buy another Subaru in my lifetime. I should have known better and just stayed with Honda. On a positive, I will say that the car is comfortable, has a nice ride and nice features, too. Sometimes the eye sight can be finicky, but it works. Other than that, Subaru has let me down and really disappointed me. UPDATE 4/8/2021 So, after contacting Subaru of America (in the Fall of 2019) and telling them what was going on with my 2019 Ascent they decided to replace it with a new car (obviously, at this point, it was falling under the lemon law), and I picked up my new Ascent in January of 2020. So, fast forward 15 months and I'm happy to report that I've not had any problems with the 2020 Ascent; well, once in awhile the radio will go daffy, but I do believe that they have an update that I need to do, so I can't be too mad about that. Subaru stepped up to the plate for me and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. The new 2020 limited (both were limited) that I have runs great, is comfortable and handles very well. I'm hoping to get many years out of this Ascent. UPDATE 10/7/2020 After all of theproblems with my 2019 Ascent, I ended up calling corporate and complained to them and asked them what they could do to help me out. Long story short, they ended up replacing my 2019 Ascent with a new 2020 Ascent. The transition went very smoothly and I'm hear to report that I haven't had any issues with the 2020 (well - other than an a critter who decided to chew my transmission line and it had to be replaced, which was no fault of Subaru). Subaru (corporate) was easy to deal with and I'm happy with my new Ascent. Before I agreed to take the new Ascent I looked at lots of SUV's (Ford, Volvo, Acura, Kia, Hyundai, etc) and for the what Subaru offers in the Ascent you can't beat the price, or, more importantly, the safety. If all goes well for the next several years, I will definitely look to Subaru for a replacement. Also, I want to give Budd Baer in Washington PA a huge shout out because they are absolutely wonderful to work with, and I will never go to any other Subaru dealer other than them!! UPDATE 4-9-22 Ok, so I see my updates are out of order, but it's hard to see when you only have a small space to type in, lol! Hint, hint Edmunds make the space bigger so I can see what I've typed! I've now had my 2020 Subaru Ascent for a little over 2 years now and I'm still very happy with it. I now have about 25,500 miles on it and really haven't had any problems. Yes, the radio sometimes still goes daffy (blaring when I unplug my phone or sometimes change from maps to radio), but, honestly, with all the computer things in cars nowadays, that's not too bad to have go wrong; better that than something with the engine! Again, Budd Baer (along with my warranty) stepped up to the plate when I had it in for an oil change and tire rotation in June of 2021 and they noticed the tires were wearing funny and two of them were very bad on the inside. They told me it was out of alignment. I told them I never noticed it because it didn't pull or anything. Long story short, they replaced the tires for free!! They told me that replaced them because they couldn't prove it didn't come from the manufacture like that. Wow, really? How many dealerships are going to do that for a customer? Not very many that I know of. Honestly, I didn't expect that at all. I was very appreciative, surprised and thankful, too. Will I replace my Ascent down the road with another Ascent? Yes, I will at some point, as long as they don't go to an electric car. ;-)
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2019 Subaru Ascent for sale near you
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- Premium 4dr SUV w/8-Passenger Convenience PkgMSRP: $18,998In-stock online
- Premium 4dr SUV w/7-Passenger Sporty PkgMSRP: $18,999In-stock online
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Lost the "Trust" in the Vehicle
Dean Cotlow, 04/06/2019
2019 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
73 of 75 people found this review helpful
Just over 5,000 miles and we are experiencing transmission troubles. Dealer has had the vehicle two times and the last time a full week with only response "everything is OK". The problem I have with that answer is they know they are having issues with the transmissions and will not acknowledge. No satisfactory results therefore if the transmission rumbles, jerks and/or slips the car is gone and no more Subaru's for me. Lost the love and trust.
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Nice idea but don’t buy too soon - transmission
Amy C, 12/31/2018
2019 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Sporty Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
133 of 138 people found this review helpful
Within 1,500 miles we had the transmission jump and the RAB light, no eyesight, check engine, check transmission, check at oil temp, check owner’s manual errors. The dealer said nothing was wrong, that it was an error and nothing is out of spec. I don’t feel safe driving this car waiting for the transmission to have another unexplained issue. Otherwise great features, but we definitely shouldn’t have bought a new model. Subaru and the dealer said they can’t do anything to help unfortunately, so we have to wait until lemon law or a recall happens.
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Not Ready For Prime Time
No more Subies, 03/06/2019
2019 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
179 of 187 people found this review helpful
I waited a long time for the Ascent to arrive. It is my 3 Subaru, I’ve been driving Subaru’s for 20 years. Although the car is pricey, it’s price seems to be competitive with other SUV’s. But I bought it because it was a Subaru. In the first week I noticed the transmission didn’t seem to select the right range whenever climbing a hill. The longer the hill the worse the car would rev without a corresponding increase in application of torque. I ignored it at first, but it quickly became irritating. So much so that I bought the car in early for a oil change and mentioned it to the dealership. They said they couldn’t replicate the problem. I took a tech for a road test and replicated the problem in less than 1/4 mile. Within a week that transmission had a catastrophic failure and my new cat spent the next 3 weeks waiting for a new transmission. Now 3000 miles after replacing the first transmission, the car is doing the exact same thing. Again they said they couldn’t replicate it, again I took a tech for a drive and replicated the problem immediately. Then they said I would take a ride along with a Subaru Engineer. The day I was supposed to do that the Engineer wasn’t there, instead I took the same tech for a ride with a laptop data logging the cars actions. Now Subaru has returned my car to me stating the Engineer test drove my car and it is “within design parameters”. So they won’t fix anything or acknowledge there is a problem. Just FYI the replacement cost of the first CVT was over $9000. Now I have a car that I pay a lot of money for that I wouldn’t trust to drive my family to Grandma’s house in.
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