[Telkwa]

Consumer Reports 2023 Auto Issue has been out for a few weeks.

Page 83, "Used Cars to Avoid", the 209 Ascent is listed along with only one other Subaru. On the same page, the Ascent's latest recall is mentioned.

CR seems to like the newer versions of the Ascent.

Perhaps this forum is not the place to look for unbiased thoughts, but I'm wondering if the 2019 Ascent deserves the poor reputation? If you look at the Reliability scores on Page 94, the '19 Ascent is almost all red marks and the '20 is vastly improved. Hard to believe Subaru actually fixed all those concerns in one year.

According to some stuff I read online, the 2019 suffered from broken windshields and transmissions, and a lot of people complained about dead battery after leaving the rear hatch open.

 

[Telkwa]

Here I am writing to myself already - does anyone know if the rear hatch power drain has been addressed by Subaru?

I bought a Hatch Catch, and it seems to work, but if the problem could be solved by swapping out a part I might consider it.

 

[Packard8]

Here I am writing to myself already - does anyone know if the rear hatch power drain has been addressed by Subaru?

I bought a Hatch Catch, and it seems to work, but if the problem could be solved by swapping out a part I might consider it.

Like most first year models, the 2019 Ascent had its share of teething problems. The good news is that they have pretty much been corrected with recalls and TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins). the battery drain was fixed with a software update, and the CVT issues via a few recalls (new wiring harness and updates to the software that controls chain clamping pressure). The latest issue for the heater ground bolt is mostly just and inspection and affects very few cars.

Probably all 2019s are past eligibility for a Subaru extended warranty, but if a dealer CPO car, additional contracts are available. The basic drivetrain is the same as a 2023, just more bells and whistles in the later cars in higher trim levels.

 

[Sparkland]

That model year would not be my first choice of Ascent. Get something newer, 2020+.

 

[Slagmi]

I have a 2020 Touring and if I leave the tailgate open or if it's opened accidentally by having the key fob on belt or in pocket it will drain the battery.

Mine has been absolutely reliable except for occasional random and varied glitches with the infotainment head unit that unfortunately cannot be reproduced on demand, and mostly go away if I don't use Android Auto or Car Play.

2020 and even 2021 were rough years for the auto industry it's estimated over 2 million units in lost production for North America (source: 2022 Harbour Report).

Quality surely suffered too.

For any model year, buy by price, mileage, features that you need, and view service records. Have a trusted mechanic inspect it if you wish.

It it's been reliable for two or three years, even for over one year, it's likely that particular vehicle will continue to be reliable.

 

[Packard8]

I have a 2020 Touring and if I leave the tailgate open or if it's opened accidentally by having the key fob on belt or in pocket it will drain the battery.

Mine has been absolutely reliable except for occasional random and varied glitches with the infotainment head unit that unfortunately cannot be reproduced on demand, and mostly go away if I don't use Android Auto or Car Play.

2020 and even 2021 were rough years for the auto industry it's estimated over 2 million units in lost production for North America (source: 2022 Harbour Report).

Quality surely suffered too.

For any model year, buy by price, mileage, features that you need, and view service records. Have a trusted mechanic inspect it if you wish.

It it's been reliable for two or three years, even for over one year, it's likely that particular vehicle will continue to be reliable.

I may be mistaken, but I believe there is a TSB regarding the tailgate battery drain issue and a no charge fix for it.

 

[NotAClunker]

My 2 cents as a 2019 owner... besides having to go to the dealer 3 or 4 times for recalls (still have to go do the last one) my 2019 has had zero problems. Only once my wife forgot the hatch open but my jump starter got it going and the battery didn't suffer permanent damage, still going strong. My vehicle carried my family for 4 and a half years now without any issues. My previous vehicle had all sorts of issues with the A/C and it was JDPower and associates winner for initial quality... whatever. It's all noise in the end, if the car works well for you, enjoy it. If you got a lemon, get rid of it.

 

[TheLex]

My 2019 Premium has had the following issues:
1) vibration from rotors after long downhill - solution was to resurface rotors - paid for by warranty
2) multiple recalls including CVT recall - all taken care of under warranty - no actual problem with CVT
3) dead battery issue - Subaru paid for a new battery

That's it. I'd say that's pretty good, especially compared to my American and German vehicles.

 

[Nanangko1234$]

My 2 cents as a 2019 owner... besides having to go to the dealer 3 or 4 times for recalls (still have to go do the last one) my 2019 has had zero problems. Only once my wife forgot the hatch open but my jump starter got it going and the battery didn't suffer permanent damage, still going strong. My vehicle carried my family for 4 and a half years now without any issues. My previous vehicle had all sorts of issues with the A/C and it was JDPower and associates winner for initial quality... whatever. It's all noise in the end, if the car works well for you, enjoy it. If you got a lemon, get rid of it.

One of the early owners of the1st gen 2019 ascent! Aside from cvt recalls and the amplifier issues, my car still running like new! It has still the oem battery and oem brake pads!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

My 2 cents as a 2019 owner... besides having to go to the dealer 3 or 4 times for recalls (still have to go do the last one) my 2019 has had zero problems.

That mirrors my own experience and any recalls/TSBs were performed at the same time as normal maintenance so it wasn't even an extra trip. Were there more incidents for issues with MY19? Certainly and that's expected for the first model year ever for a vehicle. The company dealt with them well, IMHO. I cannot say the same for a few vehicles I owned in the past from other manufacturers. (and I've only ever bought new)

 

[Slagmi]

I may be mistaken, but I believe there is a TSB regarding the tailgate battery drain issue and a no charge fix for it.

Thank you I will ask the dealer next time.

 

[Runner02]

2019 owner here and I’ve been happy. Wouldn’t hesitate to get it again. Subaru stands behind their vehicles. Can’t say the same for other brands I’ve owned.

 

[DanLee]

Aside from replacing the battery three times in the first year, I haven't had any other issues with my 2019 Premium. Subaru must have switched battery suppliers as the last one has lasted three years now.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I may be mistaken, but I believe there is a TSB regarding the tailgate battery drain issue and a no charge fix for it.

Only during the Bumper to Bumper warranty period. But, it's not an expensive fix.

 

[Telkwa]

Robert, I've been in on some of the discussions re: tailgate but perhaps you could refresh my memory. I've done some drawdown tests of my own and the draw does stop after tailgate closing. So I don't think something's broken.
What I'm wondering about is what happens if the tailgate is left open. Has Subaru fixed that? If so, is the fix applicable to the '19 model?
BTW, I bought a Hatch Catch and it does seem to work.

 

[denissh]

Robert, I've been in on some of the discussions re: tailgate but perhaps you could refresh my memory. I've done some drawdown tests of my own and the draw does stop after tailgate closing. So I don't think something's broken.
What I'm wondering about is what happens if the tailgate is left open. Has Subaru fixed that? If so, is the fix applicable to the '19 model?
BTW, I bought a Hatch Catch and it does seem to work.

Was fixed MY 2020 and up , or with TSB on 2019 if you got it in on time..if ALL your lights are LED stock 2019 original battery still takes over 9+ hours to drain with gate open, before you are below starting point.. (i did test it )
assuming its fully charged and still work properly...

 

[Tony Wong]

I have one of the last batch 2019 Ascent and so far the only issues were:

• brake vibration
• hood shake
• dead battery due to leaving the tailgate open over night (before I learned about the current draw)

Everything were resolved quickly with recalls or TSBs free of charge.. After the transmission was reprogrammed the vehicle runs better than ever. I installed a voltage monitor and periodically charge the battery if I see 12.2v or lower… I will probably upgrade to AGM when I retire the current battery.

 

[bluzed91]

If the shoe fits…of course not all 2019s are going to have the same issues but you have a much higher likelihood of specific issues with that model year. So I’d heed CR’s recommendation to save my sanity and out of warranty expenses.