HELP! Is your Subaru Ascent suspension this bouncy? (video)

1184 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by johnboiles, 4 mo ago

johnboiles

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Hi everyone, I bought a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited w/ 20k miles in December. Overall I like the vehicle except for one thing: the suspension feels super bouncy to me, especially in the body-roll direction when going over uneven bumps. It feels to me like the vehicle keeps oscillating for a couple of seconds every time I hit a bump, as if the suspension is mostly spring and un-dampened. It's hard to capture the experience while driving but here's a video of me pushing the car various ways and watching it bounce for a couple seconds:

I would expect the car to bounce back towards me once, then stop as the gas cylinders dampen the movement. The other three Ascents I've test-driven felt more stiff.

Would any of you mind giving your Ascents a push and seeing if they bounce this much? It would be a huge help.

In case it's related I've also noticed the suspension making a popping/knocking sound when making slow-speed turns that have been mentioned elsewhere in the forums.

I'm trying to get this figured out because the dealership sold me the vehicle with a 5yr Subaru Gold Plus plan, then a couple weeks ago asked me to request cancellation of the plan because they couldn't fulfill it (the car is outside of the 3yr original warranty and was never eligible). I'm trying to figure out what to do, but that's probably a separate post.

Edit: I should add it has 20" tires, and I've confirmed all the tires are at 33PSI.

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Ruben Marin

· #2 · 4 mo ago

johnboiles said:
Hi everyone, I bought a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited w/ 20k miles in December. Overall I like the vehicle except for one thing: the suspension feels super bouncy to me, especially in the body-roll direction when going over uneven bumps. It feels to me like the vehicle keeps oscillating for a couple of seconds every time I hit a bump, as if the suspension is mostly spring and un-dampened. It's hard to capture the experience while driving but here's a video of me pushing the car various ways and watching it bounce for a couple seconds:

I would expect the car to bounce back towards me once, then stop as the gas cylinders dampen the movement. The other three Ascents I've test-driven felt more stiff.

Would any of you mind giving your Ascents a push and seeing if they bounce this much? It would be a huge help.

In case it's related I've also noticed the suspension making a popping/knocking sound when making slow-speed turns that have been mentioned elsewhere in the forums.

I'm trying to get this figured out because the dealership sold me the vehicle with a 5yr Subaru Gold Plus plan, then a couple weeks ago asked me to request cancellation of the plan because they couldn't fulfill it (the car is outside of the 3yr original warranty and was never eligible). I'm trying to figure out what to do, but that's probably a separate post.

Edit: I should add it has 20" tires, and I've confirmed all the tires are at 33PSI.

@Robert.Mauro may be able to give more info on the warranty issue.

My take is they sold you a vehicle with a warranty and it seems like you are noticing an issue with the suspension. The shocks/struts may be worn and need replacement which is not unheard of with the ascent. If the warranty is no good and you are otherwise happy with the car, asking they cover the strut/shock replacement in lieu of the warranty may be a good move. It is really up to you where to take it, you may also want to give Subaru a call at 1800 Subaru3 to see what options are available for you.

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Jim_in_PA

· #3 · 4 mo ago

I agree with Ruben...most likely struts/shocks that are toast.

As to them screwing up and selling you an extended service contract that the vehicle isn't eligible for, you are absolutely entitled to a refund for the contract. You might ask them to pursue providing you the CPO contract (at their cost) if the vehicle can be eligible for that as an alternative and you want the insurance coverage.

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johnboiles

Discussion Starter · #4 · 4 mo ago

Thanks y'all for your input!

Ruben Marin said:
asking they cover the strut/shock replacement in lieu of the warranty may be a good move

This is a good idea thanks.

Ruben Marin said:
give Subaru a call at 1800 Subaru3

I've chatted with Subaru's Customer Advocacy department and the Subaru Added Security department. They agreed the situation is messed up but that I'd have to work it out with the dealership.

Jim_in_PA said:
most likely struts/shocks that are toast.

Do you agree from the video this is too much bounce or is it too hard to tell? Do you think a previous owner running over a curb or something like this could cause this? The front tires were recently replaced (though not the back tires) so that'd be a possible explanation for why only the front tires were replaced.

Jim_in_PA said:
You might ask them to pursue providing you the CPO contract (at their cost) if the vehicle can be eligible for that as an alternative and you want the insurance coverage.

They've thrown out an alternative 2yr contract provided from Subaru though haven't given me the details on that yet (they've been excruciatingly slow to work with). That's something different than the CPO contract I think though. I thought the CPO contracts were powertrain-only, is that your understanding?

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packout

· #5 · 4 mo ago

johnboiles said:
Thanks y'all for your input!

This is a good idea thanks.

I've chatted with Subaru's Customer Advocacy department and the Subaru Added Security department. They agreed the situation is messed up but that I'd have to work it out with the dealership.

Do you agree from the video this is too much bounce or is it too hard to tell? Do you think a previous owner running over a curb or something like this could cause this? The front tires were recently replaced (though not the back tires) so that'd be a possible explanation for why only the front tires were replaced.

They've thrown out an alternative 2yr contract provided from Subaru though haven't given me the details on that yet (they've been excruciatingly slow to work with). That's something different than the CPO contract I think though. I thought the CPO contracts were powertrain-only, is that your understanding?

Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Coverage | Is It Transferable?

Certified Pre-Owned Subaru vehicles are backed by a standard powertrain warranty as well as two upgrade options. Learn more about the Subaru CPO warranty with Subaru South Tampa!

www.subarusouthtampa.com

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8gv

· #6 · 4 mo ago

If they sold you the car with the understanding that it came with a 5 year gold plan and it turns out that it does not (can not) have the plan then I believe you are the victim of a fraud.

The dealer has a duty to know the requirements for the gold plan.

You as a consumer are not expected to know this.

It was the dealer's obligation to confirm gold plan eligibility prior to promising it as part of your purchase.

As I see it you have two choices:

Compel the dealer to take back the car and make you 100% financially whole.

OR

Negotiate a compromise that benefits you.

A call to your state consumer protection dept. could give you a better understanding of the remedies available to you.

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Ruben Marin

· #7 · 4 mo ago

If the ride doesn't match that of the other ascents you have driven and the bouncing occurs more than a rebound or two at the most the shocks and struts are likely worn. Curbing would not be the cause of that but could be the cause of a popping or rattling noise in the suspension. It really requires more troubleshooting.

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Jim_in_PA

· #8 · 4 mo ago

johnboiles said:
The front tires were recently replaced (though not the back tires) so that'd be a possible explanation for why only the front tires were replaced.

THAT is potentially not a good thing. Tires have to be replaced all around so they maintain the same diameter with an AWD vehicle and Subaru's tolerance is very close... 2/32. They should be the same exact tire make and model, too.

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xydadx3

· #9 · 4 mo ago

johnboiles said:
The front tires were recently replaced (though not the back tires)

Jim_in_PA said:
THAT is potentially not a good thing. Tires have to be replaced all around so they maintain the same diameter with an AWD vehicle and Subaru's tolerance is very close... 2/32. They should be the same exact tire make and model, too.

This caught my attention too! At the very least you should get a measurement to see if all 4 tires are the same diameter. One of those Subaru awd things is that you always need 4 matching tires. Best to fix this before it causes any drivetrain damage

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Sparkland

· #10 · 4 mo ago

That makes sense about the warranty. The cost of the warranty should be refunded with no questions asked. I feel bad for the OP purchasing a vehicle he thought would have a warranty as he would have some peace of mind about purchasing a 3-year old vehicle. I would just get the money back for the warranty and keep the car since it has the remainder of the powertrain warranty. Maybe the selling dealer could offer to replace the struts OR the tires as compensation for his troubles.

I wonder if the OP is having second thoughts about the purchase and trying to find a way out of the entire deal?

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johnboiles

Discussion Starter · #11 · 4 mo ago

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

xydadx3 said:
Best to fix this before it causes any drivetrain damage

If I keep the car I'll definitely get matching tires!

Sparkland said:
I wonder if the OP is having second thoughts about the purchase and trying to find a way out of the entire deal?

At this point, unwinding the contract is a strong possibility. Also open to some sort of compromise with the dealership (perhaps 2yr warranty + they replace the shocks/struts?) but they have been extremely slow to work with. It took over a week for them to tell me why they wanted me to cancel the warranty.

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