[Jaime G]

I just experienced a major problem with my new ascent. It only had 1,400 miles. As I was driving (30 miles p/hour) on an even road, an extremely loud bang came from the front passenger side. It sounded like I had crashed the car, but the car didn’t jump... just the noise without any jolt to accompany it. The car continued driving well until I arrived in my neighborhood that has small speed bumps. Every time I hit a bump or uneven surface the car emitted a loud clatter. It sounded like something was knocked loose. There was no sign of any visible damage upon inspection.

The following day I took it in for service. It continued making the loud clattering sound over uneven surfaces and on turns. The dealer explained that the 2019 and 2020 Ascents had a known issue with struts failing, but the problem had been fixed by Subaru on the 2021 models. After two hours of inspecting, the techs and Subaru, came to the conclusion that the strut mount failed. There were no signs of physical damage (like the previous models) but the clatter could be heard coming from inside the mount. They mentioned it was unwise to continue driving the vehicle until the part could be replaced.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Hi! Thanks for the heads up. Fortunately, the problem with the 2019-2020 Ascent was quite different, and was a noisy strut due to the spring ends not being tapered enough, and thus rubbing on the spring mount. So, the good news is, there is no known issue of struts failing on the 2019-2020 Ascents.

Details on what issues the 2019-2020 Ascents actually had with struts, are below, for anyone interested.

So, good news is, once they have yours fixed, you should hopefully be good to go for many many more miles, and, it's unlikely to show up in previous cars.

Glad you're ok, and they're taking care of it.

2019 Rear Shock TSB:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10169873-0001.pdf

2019-2020 Front Strut TSB:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166952-0001.pdf

 

[Nathan D]

I just experienced a major problem with my new ascent. It only had 1,400 miles. As I was driving (30 miles p/hour) on an even road, an extremely loud bang came from the front passenger side. It sounded like I had crashed the car, but the car didn’t jump... just the noise without any jolt to accompany it. The car continued driving well until I arrived in my neighborhood that has small speed bumps. Every time I hit a bump or uneven surface the car emitted a loud clatter. It sounded like something was knocked loose. There was no sign of any visible damage upon inspection.

The following day I took it in for service. It continued making the loud clattering sound over uneven surfaces and on turns. The dealer explained that the 2019 and 2020 Ascents had a known issue with struts failing, but the problem had been fixed by Subaru on the 2021 models. After two hours of inspecting, the techs and Subaru, came to the conclusion that the strut mount failed. There were no signs of physical damage (like the previous models) but the clatter could be heard coming from inside the mount. They mentioned it was unwise to continue driving the vehicle until the part could be replaced.

Sounds like you and your car both escaped without any other damage. While they kept your car to diagnose and repair, did they provide you with a loaner? I currently have an Acura and for warranty or major service that requires the car spend the better part of a day or more at the dealer, I get a no charge (other than gas) loaner. Thanks

 

[Jaime G]

Sounds like you and your car both escaped without any other damage. While they kept your car to diagnose and repair, did they provide you with a loaner? I currently have an Acura and for warranty or major service that requires the car spend the better part of a day or more at the dealer, I get a no charge (other than gas) loaner. Thanks

The Subaru service department did provide me with a loaner (2021 Ascent Limited). There is no charge for the loan (except gas.) The part is being delivered overnight. With the holiday weekend approaching, I was told I may not get my car for 4 - 5 days.
The service department was great. I’m happy that they (and Subaru) came to the conclusion that the whole part needed replacement. There was a lot of confusion about how it possibly failed and the loud bang. But, they stated they have something to reference if another customer comes in with the same experience.

 

[senormano]

I ended up having both front struts and mounts replaced in my 2020 Limited within the first few months of ownership. Similar sudden appearance of noise/grating at random points / turns / going over small bumps or dips. The replacements have been fine for several thousand miles.

 

[Titanrx8]

2019-2020 Front Strut TSB:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166952-0001.pdf

From the TSB:
New front coil springs were incorporated into production starting with VIN L3406693.

Are the VINs sequential? Mine is 49000 higher.
Were there that many '20s built by the Feb 20 build date for mine? Plant was shut down after.

 

[hokiefyd]

Are the VINs sequential?

The numbers may not be exactly sequential (some blocks may be skipped, for instance), but a higher number always indicates a later unit. In this case, any VIN that ends in 406693 or HIGHER would have the updated parts. Any VIN that ends in 406692 or LOWER would have the older parts.

 

[hokiefyd]

Our Feb 2020 build is about 52,000 higher than the VIN in that TSB. I don't have the exact date, but I think ours was built in about the third week of February.

I suspect the first MY20 Ascent had a sequence number of 400001. Then the next was 400002, etc. I don't know for sure, but they're often done using certain blocks like that. 406693 was probably the 6,693rd MY20 Ascent off the line. By February of 2020, they had apparently built about 50,000.

 

[lucky92710]

I just experienced a major problem with my new ascent. It only had 1,400 miles. As I was driving (30 miles p/hour) on an even road, an extremely loud bang came from the front passenger side. It sounded like I had crashed the car, but the car didn’t jump... just the noise without any jolt to accompany it. The car continued driving well until I arrived in my neighborhood that has small speed bumps. Every time I hit a bump or uneven surface the car emitted a loud clatter. It sounded like something was knocked loose. There was no sign of any visible damage upon inspection.

The following day I took it in for service. It continued making the loud clattering sound over uneven surfaces and on turns. The dealer explained that the 2019 and 2020 Ascents had a known issue with struts failing, but the problem had been fixed by Subaru on the 2021 models. After two hours of inspecting, the techs and Subaru, came to the conclusion that the strut mount failed. There were no signs of physical damage (like the previous models) but the clatter could be heard coming from inside the mount. They mentioned it was unwise to continue driving the vehicle until the part could be replaced.

I’m just going thru this with my 2021 Ascent. I drove over an hour home and then another 30 mins when the strut and strut mount went bad. I thankfully have an amazing Subaru dealership who takes care of my car. If you ask me this shouldn’t be happening!