Can you be more specific as to the issues that aren't yet fixed? Your post is presenting an issue that's unique to this forum, at least from my perspective.

 

Subaru Recal:
The concern is because of a faulty pressure sensor within the transmission. The sensor could give a false reading that would cause the transmission to reduce hydraulic pressure, which could make the car slow or hesitate unexpectedly.
Drivers may also notice irregular noises, vibration while driving, and/or a warning light illuminating on the dashboard.

This was listed on the recall & the fix was to supposedly change a sensor or such. I had the car serviced & supposedly fixed. After the fix ALL this happened on the freeway going 60+ mph, I managed to get over to the side and smelt a burning smell. I immediately got our 3 yr old out of the car thinking it was going to catch fire. We had it towed to the dealer & was told it was a transmission issue that is still being diagnosed to the root cause.
This is on top of the brakes wearing excessively & the other numerous recalls. I have owned numerous Subaru

 

I have owned numerous Subaru’s but never had to deal with so many issues. I realize cars have issues but I’m over it.

 

Some customers must agree with you as there are 44 used Ascents for sale just in the Denver area. Maybe most of those are lease returns.

 

there has been no and there is no transmission (CVT) recall. There have been related parts (wiring harness or pressure sensor software update) to the transmission that have been recalled for replacement or software updates. Some 2019 CVT had to be replaced because they were damaged from the above parts failing for too long (these parts were listed in the recalls), but the CVT itself had no manufacturer defects itself. It was replaced under warranty if the CVT was damaged in this sequence. My 2019 CVT has been fine (no replacement needed at 27,000 miles). I had the recalls for the harness and the software update. I know some vehicles had premature brake issues that were dealt with under warranty. Mine have been fine and have not needed any service.

I know it can be terrifying with a child in the vehicle for any vehicle mishap. Years ago I had a engine fire in the moving vehicle with wife and child (very well maintained vehicle - not a Subaru). The issues you have are well known and have been dealt with sequentially for other owners in your position. Yours will as well, so while understandably frustrated, I would not ultimately be too concerned. You will end up being taken care of by repairing your vehicle under warranty. Just make certain you communicate with SOA and the dealer is providing an appropriate loaner.

 

Agreed. I will update once I get the car back & review the issue verbatim from the dealer. The exact recall or service advisory I mentioned was related to the transmission sensor or computer upgrade regarding a sensor, unless I am mistaken. I may have misspoke when I said transmission recall The possible results that could possibly happen from the notice did happen “after” the service requested was performed. The service technician said over the phone that the transmission housing bolts “backed out” ( his words) damaging a “booster” & O ring. Waiting on parts , but I will update. I’m not sure how the bolts could come out. But I agree I trust we’ll get to the bottom of it. It is at a trusted Subaru dealer now that I normally do not use. I called my normal dealer & they want to see the car when I get it back to analyze it to help ease my wife’s concerns as she doesn’t want to drive it because of what happened. Stay tuned.

 

Let Subaru of America know what is going on.

 

AFAIK, there's been no concesus on what the CVT harness recall actually accomplished. It included a max torque test and test drive to identify existing slipping, and a TCU update, but what that meant as far as preventing extant faulty harnesses that degrade over time from causing subsequent CVT failures hasn't been established.

 

Heck, we also haven't established if the harnesses continue to degrade over time. An entire tangent that delved into the chemistry of that indicated that it's also possible that it stops, due to the very corrosion layer created in the process. Or, that it doesn't stop degrading. Sigh.

Regardless, I will though keep everyone posted on how my one-of-the-first-ever-built harness continues to operate as I continue to dunk it in mud and sea water and push the readings from one end of the spectrum to the other. And, I will continue to keep an eye out for harnesses that have failed after a properly performed recall.

 

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. We all look forward to hearing back when you get more information. Can you add the build date of your Ascent? If it means anything, it seems like the vast majority of people who had tranny issues, once repaired or replaced, have been satisfied. I hope you get to that point as well. I completely understand your frustration about issues with a new vehicle. Stay safe out there!

 

I had same problems. Transmission replaced at 11,000 miles. Was not identified until a second test drive with service manager. New transmission bogs down nust like the old one, but apparently that's the way they drive. Today notified of the fuel pump recall. Other problems, fit and finish. The front and rear doors rub together when you open them at same time. You'll figure it out. Doors are off kilter, looked at new ones on the show floor with the manager, they all are. Overall, I've been somewhat dissatisfied with the Ascent, our first time away from Honda and Toyota since 1989. Funny thing, Toyota just recalled 44,000 Rav 4's for possible engine cracks. We almost bought that one. Nobody's perfect I guess!

 

There is in fact a replacement for that door seal. I read in the forum it is thinner.

 

The front and rear doors rub together when you open them at same time.

The door seal rubs? I think there's a redesigned one that doesn't.

 

Thanks, I will check on that, if you're talking about the seals themselves. Can't do anything about the door, of course.

 

Yes, seals themselves.

If the doors are not aligned properly, they can be removed, and re-hung. The car isn't painted with them on, so, it's not a horrible effort to re-align them. I haven't noticed alignment issues with mine (though do notice the door seal not sitting right if the doors are opened together - just haven't cared too much about it).

 

"TSB 12-286-20 replaces both of the front doors' weather stripping with redesigned ones that now clear the leading edge of the back passengers doors when partially opened. Part numbers are: 63511XC00B & 63411XC01B."

 

Well it's still considered a new vehicle. I seem to remember a rule of thumb.. never buy a newly designed vehicle until it's been out for at least 3 years. Are we at 2 years yet? The beginning of the 3rd year is when the 2021's arrive? Anyways the 2020 has much fewer issues than the 2019 did.

 

I guess I always considered that the 3 year rule was for certain brands only. Unfortunately, it seems like Subaru has become one of those brands. They just can't seem to figure out or are unwilling to create effective Quality Control & the testing protocols necessary before putting a new car on the market. Yes, it costs money and requires hiring the appropriate folks. I own an 2018 Outback (which is the 4th year of the vehicles 5 year cycle). The first 3 years of that 5th generation Outback were also full of issues! My vehicle has not been perfect, but it has been very good But I would love to move up to more room and comfort that an Ascent would provide. I just can't do it, yet. I just don't have the confidence either in the Ascent or Subaru's handling/working out of its issues (the dealers, on the other hand, along with the customer support line seem to be doing a better job on their end though). I looked at the new Toyota Highlander, but gosh, its just so much more expensive than the Ascent - comparing the most equivalent trim levels with adding the AWD option. In the end, I would have to buy a Highlander Base or LE - the bottom two trim levels (of 5 I believe). I would be actually going backwards or stepping down in terms of refinement, comfort & technology? Which makes no sense at all. You just can't beat the Subaru value proposition. BUT, value minus reliability or a car that requires your constant attention due to issues is not a bargain ether? Which is why I no longer drive or consider Land Rovers, Volvos, Volkswagens, Hondas etc. Very frustrating.

 

This is exactly the reason I waited for 2021 Ascent to pull the trigger.

We have a 2013 Dodge Journey SE that is slowly dying. Underpowered engine, not AWD, dings, loud sounds because of roof rack when driving but you'd swear a window was open (they aren't). A lot of repairs pending and a recall just received in the mail. That's the trade-in and hoping it crawls across the finish line when the Ascent is ready for pickup (previously we had our Dodge test driven there for value).

Hence when I read about noise and "apathetic" passing power as negatives, my baseline is much worse in both categories and the test drive was great.

But for transmission problems, I had researched the CVT and the Boxer engine and so far the biggest warning is to not let the oil go past it's mileage limit as that starts an entire chain of issues where water and oil mix and that affects cooling and lubrication which extends to transmission issues...yuck. I will religiously get my oil changed with some mileage to spare! For reference check this amazing video out on youtube regarding the Boxer engine: this guy is amazing and not any umm, err, or stumbling: he knows engines!

 

The 2021's still have issues. CVT failures and transmission replacements needed. Seems to be the same as the 2019 and 2020.

 

Actually, the number of CVT issues has declined tremendously - there's very few 2021's that have had issues, and yours is an outlier.

As for your issue, it most definitely could be caused by an electrical issue. That TSB helps diagnose what is broken, but doesn't rule out electrical issues, valve body issues, etc. New CVTs are generally coming with new harnesses as part of the "CVT kit".

Chain slip is caused by a number of factors, including bad sensor, bad harness, TCM malfunction, water in CVT, improperly filled CVT (eg: during service), drained/partially drained CVT (eg: car taken to Jiffy Lube for oil change and they drain the wrong thing), the wrong CVT fluid used (eg: if a shop accidentally drains it, and then fills it with anything other than the Subaru specified fluid).

In all such cases, replacing the CVT fixes the issue, including any of those causes (assuming the TCM passed testing, which would have been caught during TCM relearn if not).

Your old CVT will not be ripped open here to be diagnosed, so, if you're the type who's interested in the "whys" and "whats", you sadly don't and won't know the cause - but I'd bet good money that it's one of the above.

 

I like the CVT. I play a game of conserve fuel and try to keep the gas mileage in the green.

It's great because you keep the gas barely down and the CVT kicks in so you learn the CVT mimicked gears.

Of course my wife is the heavy foot so all I'm doing is playing defense to keep gas mileage good.

 

U would hope that a known issue such as the aforementioned wiring harness would have been corrected for new models and that the upgrade would have been communicated.

But it appears there has been no communications regarding the status of the wiring harness for new models?

I’m looking for peace of mind...

I appreciate your sharing of information regarding all this.

 

U would hope that a known issue such as the aforementioned wiring harness would have been corrected for new models and that the upgrade would have been communicated.

But it appears there has been no communications regarding the status of the wiring harness for new models?

I’m looking for peace of mind...

I appreciate your sharing of information regarding all this.

They did upgrade/fix the harness issue and used that new style harness going forward.

 

Good to know. Thanks!

 

I just know the harness in the 2021 is not the same one used in the 2019 model.. that was something I asked the service department when ordering my Ascent months ago.

 

Yes, correct. I should have led with that, lol! Definitely a different harness.