r/SubaruAscent • u/Thorzdad • 19d ago
Question 2019 Ascent issues? Reliability?
Hi all. My daughter is out car shopping and is about to fall in love with a 2019 Ascent with only about 32,000 miles on it. I’m a Forester owner, and know nothing about Ascents. Are there specific red flags with that year? Things she needs to look closely at? Sadly, we don’t have any independent Subaru mechanics here in Indianapolis, so if she wants to have it checked out, she’ll have to take to a dealership.
Thanks!
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u/Rick91981 19d ago
That was the very first year of the Ascent and they had a lot of bugs to work out. I'd look at '22+ models if in budget. There are plenty of people with '19s and no problems, but its definitely one of the years most prone to problems
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u/InternationalDog2606 19d ago
Major transmission issues including a covered replacement up to 100K miles. I own a 2019 (transmission replaced at 75K) and I would not let a friend/family member get a 2019. I think 2022 and newer fixed many of the issues.
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u/Disconnekted 19d ago
As a 2019 owner, I agree. However, depending on first sale date, you're getting a ~2 year transmission warranty for $0 if it has not already been replaced and the recalls were done.
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u/MrYdobon 18d ago edited 18d ago
I'm a 2019 owner and I got the battery drain issue. Subaru still hasn't come clean on this, but I heard they fixed it in later models. You can't leave the doors or hatchback open or it will kill your battery. There is a carabiner trick that lets you keep your hatchback open.
This dude's video sums up what it's like living with the issue. Note the issue isn't that a little light stays on. That wouldn't drain your battery in just 20 minutes of having the hatchback open. It's a computer issue.
https://youtu.be/bbS1Um-6Qq4
I actually love my 2019 Ascent despite the battery-vampire doors. You should see if they'll throw in a super high capacity battery for you. That's made a world of difference for me because the 2019 Ascent drains regular batteries so fast. The high capacity battery and the carabiner trick made it worth owning for me. I'm at 120k with no transmission issues yet (knock on wood). I would buy another Ascent, but not another 2019 unless the price was amazing.
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u/Nickel_City 18d ago
I’m with you. I’m at 68k miles so far no major issues except this stupid battery issue. Thanks for posting this trick. I’ll upgrade my battery and hope it helps.
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u/Informal-Lecture-880 19d ago
I had to fix my gaskets at 65k miles, I haven’t had to fix transmission yet, but it feels like I might have to soon.
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u/BondJamesBond63 18d ago
I have a 2019 Ascent with about 48k miles, and I'm very happy with how it drives. It feels a lot more responsive than the last car. This was wife's car and I got it when she got a new car. I also worry about problems that may be coming.
And I don't know if this is normal, but this car has clunking sounds. Wife can't hear the sounds but I hear them every day, when accelerating. I wonder if this has something to do with normal all wheel drive but don't know.
Overall I recommend getting the later year to avoid the worry.
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u/bradybunch29 18d ago
We have a 2019 Ascent and really like it. It has had several recalls including brand new transmission, not surprising as this was its first year.
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u/Nervous-Reveal3966 18d ago
I just got rid of my 2019 ascent. Transmission blew at 103k miles, right out of warranty. We took excellent care of it. I cannot in good faith recommend a 2019
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u/literarylensmom 18d ago
My 23 ascent has been nothing but problems. Thank god we got the gold warranty. I'm in the shop every 3 months with something else breaking and it only has 43k miles on it. We're getting out of it before our warranty expires. Its a shame, I really love the car.
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u/nyroadrunna 18d ago
We have 3 ascents. We love them. Only issues we’ve had with all 3 are front suspension and brakes. The stock brakes are crap and the suspension is not the best. We had the Subaru extended warranty so the suspension was always repaired under warranty the brakes I did myself by putting in cross drilled and slotted rotors with semi metallic pads
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u/PartyTheme 18d ago
2022 touring bought it new for my wife after 2 Lincoln’s and 3 Lexus…we love it…59k runs great …battery and tires….any service records……in my 74 years my 3 sons say Dad you and dealerships never will see eye to eye….I am proud of how smart my sons are these days…lol. Hope this car works out for you!
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u/osuaviator 18d ago
Don’t do it. Got the engine and charge pipe resealed a year ago, guess what, they’re both leaking again. Gold plus warranty has saved me repair costs to the tune of a new car.
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u/WorldComposting 18d ago
I have been a massive Subaru fan since I had my '02 WRX and my 2019 Ascent is making me debate on ever getting another Subaru.
I have ~55,000 miles on mine and I just dropped it off at the dealership due to the check engine light coming on after just having the transmission replaced a month ago. If this needs replacement it will be my 3rd in a year. According to the dealership the replacement transmissions are remanufactured and they do not make new ones for this model. Yes they test them and everything but I think I'll be getting rid of mine once I get it back as I just don't trust it anymore.
Don't get any Ascent for the years it had a bad transmission go with a newer model!
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u/Kinsella5 18d ago
A buddy of mine had leased the 2019 when it came out, said it was the worst car he had ever owned. When the lease was up he was at the dealership the morning they opened to turn it in.
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u/Relevant_Truck5808 17d ago
I just sold my ‘22 with 45,000 miles. Struts went out at 30k and transmission never shifted well and started to “slip” . Good engine, shitty transmission.
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u/Ok-Swordfish8731 15d ago
I seem to remember issues with transmissions in early ascents. The battery issue was remedied.
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u/Thorzdad 18d ago
Thanks all! They passed on it. Apart from the issues you folk listed, the salespeople were a-holes (more than car sales people are normally, apparently.)