Ordered a Magnetite Gray Ascent Limited on June 23rd. Picked the car up on Sept. 7th, 10 weeks later. Noticed a few instances of "slipping" in the transmission. About a week ago, wife was driving with our autistic son when multiple warning lights came on and the transmission failed. AT temp light was on, eyesight disabled, check engine light, brake light, etc... Car wouldn't move and she had to coast into a school. Car has 5,000 miles. Had to call Subaru Roadside Assistance and have the car towed to the dealer. Dealer has had the car for a week. They called in a regional engineer to inspect. After examining the car for a week and putting 85 miles on it, they are telling us to come pick it up since they can't reproduce the problem and don't know what's wrong. All they did was check the connectors on the top of the transmission and check the fluid level. They didn't even change the fluid given that the AT temp light came on. Very disappointed in Subaru. They are basically throwing us to the wolves and hoping the problem doesn't happen again. They won't replace the transmission. We are very nervous about driving the car or taking the car on any sort of extended trip. With winter coming we are seriously considering dumping the car. Would never recommend Subaru after this experience.
cjzclan
Twice I had our 2005 Ford Five Hundred light up with Limp Home Mode or All Wheel Drive failure, both to be resolved by stopping the car, shutting it off, and restarting. Neither ever occurred again in 13 years of ownership. Back in the 20th century, I had a Plymouth Minivan that shut off for no reason, had to be towed, with no problem found. It never occurred again. My point is give the Ascent a chance. The incident was unsettling, but it may never occur again.
People make machines; like people, sometimes they have a bad day.
People make machines; like people, sometimes they have a bad day.
I'd be concerned as well, both for the short term and the longer term. As far as the short term aspect, you may have to drive it more and see if it recurs, but I would press them on changing the transmission fluid, in case it really did exceed the ATF temp and it wasn't just a sensor providing a bad reading, to prevent longer term concerns of lessened transmission life due to burnt fluid.
Not sure on a Subaru if they can read the ODB and see what the ATF temp history is or only the current reading when they are pulling codes, etc.
Did they drive it much to see if the problem recurred? I'd try to supply them with as much info about how long it had been driven, etc leading up to the event when it did happen, so they can try similar conditions to replicate it.
Not sure on a Subaru if they can read the ODB and see what the ATF temp history is or only the current reading when they are pulling codes, etc.
Did they drive it much to see if the problem recurred? I'd try to supply them with as much info about how long it had been driven, etc leading up to the event when it did happen, so they can try similar conditions to replicate it.
Was it still in a disabled state when it arrived at the dealership?
At this point, if the dealership can't come up with a problem and the Ascent is behaving normally, you really have no choice but to thunder on. Don't get me wrong, I would be pretty upset if I was you and my confidence in my new car would be greatly diminished as well.
Since everyone now carries still/video cameras in their pockets, I would make absolutely sure to document as much as possible if this occurs again. That will position you better to get a more substantial solution.
At this point, if the dealership can't come up with a problem and the Ascent is behaving normally, you really have no choice but to thunder on. Don't get me wrong, I would be pretty upset if I was you and my confidence in my new car would be greatly diminished as well.
Since everyone now carries still/video cameras in their pockets, I would make absolutely sure to document as much as possible if this occurs again. That will position you better to get a more substantial solution.
OP: that's a logical step to accept and move forward. Keep driving it and be mindful of the issue leading up to it if it happens again.
It appears that they went beyond the normal routine procedure at a dealer and brought in an engineer to make the assessment. Did you get a report of their efforts or just verbal? If verbal, you need to get a report, something in writing!!!
It appears that they went beyond the normal routine procedure at a dealer and brought in an engineer to make the assessment. Did you get a report of their efforts or just verbal? If verbal, you need to get a report, something in writing!!!
We have the car back. As suspected, they don't know what caused the problem and since they can't reproduce the issue, they basically told us to cross our fingers and pray to the Subaru gods that it doesn't happen again, like when we are on vacation or in the middle of a snowstorm in January. The issue happened at a stoplight. Dashboard lit up and my wife had to gun the engine just to get the car to creep along to get it into a parking lot. Clearly an issue with the CVT (likely a slipping chain) that Subaru refuses to recognize. We have been talking to Subaru corporate and their position is that if the dealer cannot reproduce the problem, there is nothing they can do. I asked what if this happens 10 more times, then what? The answer was if the dealer can't reproduce it, there is nothing they can do. The dealer checked the CVT fluid level and the connections on the transmission and that's it. Didn't even replace the CVT fluid. Dealer now says they were following instructions from the regional engineer. They gave us a print out of the trouble codes and it goes on for 4 pages, including startability malfunction, pre-ignition detected, transmission control system (MIL request), incorrect gear ratio, ECM, AT, and multiple codes for the Eyesight system and combination meter (along with XM/satellite digital audio radio service antenna faults).
I have owned Subaru cars for 20 years. My dad owned Subaru cars beginning in 1970 with the "GL" (actually, he owned the Malcolm Bricklin "360" before that). I owned a 3 cylinder Justy at one point. I had an Outback that went to 225,000 miles. My current 2011 Outback 3.6r has 175,000 miles and I have not had a single issue with the 5at transmission. Unfortunately, given our experience, I would not be inclined to recommend Subaru or to purchase another one. The customer service we have received is horrible. Will never buy another Subaru.
I have owned Subaru cars for 20 years. My dad owned Subaru cars beginning in 1970 with the "GL" (actually, he owned the Malcolm Bricklin "360" before that). I owned a 3 cylinder Justy at one point. I had an Outback that went to 225,000 miles. My current 2011 Outback 3.6r has 175,000 miles and I have not had a single issue with the 5at transmission. Unfortunately, given our experience, I would not be inclined to recommend Subaru or to purchase another one. The customer service we have received is horrible. Will never buy another Subaru.
We did provide photos of the dashboard and a video (of the dashboard). My wife could not take video while she was driving but she did take video while in the parking lot, showing the dashboard and AT temp light. The dealer was not interested in the photos or video and said they would need to look at any trouble codes. We are probably going to get a dashcam and record. Our problem is what we were told by both the dealer and corporate - unless the dealer can reproduce the issue (video or not) there is nothing they can do. Unfortunately Subaru has not taken very good care of us as owners of a $45k car.
It is illogical and poor customer service to tell a customer that the ONLY way the manufacturer can take action is if the dealer can reproduce the problem (based on a 5-10 mile test drive). Video/photo evidence from the customer, trouble codes (which our car had), or potential internal mechanical problems that trouble codes cannot determine apparently don't matter. We were flat out told by "Sam" at Subaru of America in NJ that even if the problem happens 10 more times, if the dealer can't reproduce the problem, there is nothing they can do. That is poor customer service in my book. As far as your statement "there is NO other manufacturer that will step up and do the right thing like Subaru does" I can understand you saying that since you work for Subaru, but Subaru is out to make money like every car manufacturer, and with their record breaking profits they certainly are not "doing the right thing" by us. They are likely terrified that they are going to have to start replacing transmissions on thousands of Ascents, so it's easier to just give the car back and say "let us know if it happens again." It took a class action lawsuit to even get them to finally admit they have had problems with their CVT transmissions, and even then, they wouldn't issue a recall, only extend the 60K warranty to 100k (which is useless, since most problems occur after 100k miles).
"No matter what car you buy you would receive the same answer when problem is not easily diagnosable. The internet is full of folks that had an issue and the dealer could not reproduce it. Guess what, they got the car back until it happened again.
I suspect you will never be happy no matter what car/brand you buy. By your own admission you have had years of trouble free driving and after one issue that could not be reproduced you are done."
And I suspect that if this problem had happened to you on a car with 5,000 miles on it you would not be so quick to discount the issue and would have concerns about the long-term reliability and longevity of the car, especially given the prior problems Subaru has had with its CVT transmissions. My years of trouble free driving are due to the fact that I maintain our vehicles myself, including transmission fluid changes every 25k miles, brakes, gear oil, brake fluid, coolant changes, spark plugs, etc... But I never had a major transmission problem at 5,000 miles. That's my point.
I suspect you will never be happy no matter what car/brand you buy. By your own admission you have had years of trouble free driving and after one issue that could not be reproduced you are done."
And I suspect that if this problem had happened to you on a car with 5,000 miles on it you would not be so quick to discount the issue and would have concerns about the long-term reliability and longevity of the car, especially given the prior problems Subaru has had with its CVT transmissions. My years of trouble free driving are due to the fact that I maintain our vehicles myself, including transmission fluid changes every 25k miles, brakes, gear oil, brake fluid, coolant changes, spark plugs, etc... But I never had a major transmission problem at 5,000 miles. That's my point.
I'm sure we'd all be upset if we had an actual issue. But you're being a little dramatic. If the car is driving fine now and the problem can't be reproduced what do you expect to happen? Seriously, list the steps you expect to be taken.
We just reproduced it this morning and took video and will be calling Subaru again tomorrow morning. This is not an isolated incident. I suspect more owners will start reporting this problem. Here is a quote from another post regarding all the dashboard lights going on:
"I'm just over 3000 miles and having the same issue. Yesterday I was accelerating onto a freeway, car wouldn't accelerate. All lights on dashboard came on. Was able to get it home, using manual shifting, but it almost died completely on two hills no matter what gear I was in.
I'll be calling Subaru today and getting it in. Pretty worried with how much I paid. This was one of the very first shipments."
"I'm just over 3000 miles and having the same issue. Yesterday I was accelerating onto a freeway, car wouldn't accelerate. All lights on dashboard came on. Was able to get it home, using manual shifting, but it almost died completely on two hills no matter what gear I was in.
I'll be calling Subaru today and getting it in. Pretty worried with how much I paid. This was one of the very first shipments."
Happened again this morning. The problem occurs between 40-50 mph. While driving at a steady speed the RPMs go up and there is a distinct "squealing" sound, then the RPMs drop and the transmission catches again. Almost sounds like what we used to hear in older cars that had a slipping A/C or power steering or alternator belt. Speed (MPH) stays constant, RPMs increase. Occurs more frequently going up hills. It definitely feels like the transmission or a belt or something is slipping. We are going to try another dealer this morning and give them the print out from the other dealer with the prior trouble codes.
Modern powertrain control systems (engine and transmission) are electronic and depend on multiple sensor inputs to a central “brain” or module. Although the control module firmware is upgradeable, if any one of several sensors are supplying false information to it, it can cause the module to kick into a firmware “fail-safe” mode. The fail-safe mode is designed to provide an emergency capabilty to get to the side of a road and stop.
Mechanical failures tend not to be intermittent; if is it broken, it stays that way. However, the Ascent is a computer on wheels as are all brands of cars these days. It is likely that there is failing or out-of-spec sensor that is causing the powertrain control module to go into an intermittent fail-safe mode.
State lemon laws can provide relief if the failure mode is documented by the vehicle owner whether a servicing dealer or Subaru can reproduce the intermittent failure or not.
Mechanical failures tend not to be intermittent; if is it broken, it stays that way. However, the Ascent is a computer on wheels as are all brands of cars these days. It is likely that there is failing or out-of-spec sensor that is causing the powertrain control module to go into an intermittent fail-safe mode.
State lemon laws can provide relief if the failure mode is documented by the vehicle owner whether a servicing dealer or Subaru can reproduce the intermittent failure or not.
Sorry to hear about all the trouble with the car. I can only guess that you are the one driving the Ascent and not your wife with your autistic kid. I would be concerned also under the same circumstances and would be ticked off after spending that much $ on a new vehicle. Time off work and/or having to adjust logistics to get a car at the dealer can also be painful. Good luck and please advise on the final outcome.
Thanks!
Thanks!
It could be a manufacturing flaw rather than a design flaw. 30 units out of the 22,600 sold as of October 2018 is 0.13% of them if that number you suggested is accurate.
The CVT is based off the same "meat and potatoes" type of design that has been in Subies since 2010's Outback model and now ubiquitous through the line.
I'm not saying there isn't a problem with the design - I'm no engineer - I'm just saying if it was a true design flaw like you are suggesting, I would think that this would be all over the place, or at least many more than 0.13% of units.
One of the reasons we didn't get the Honda Pilot Elite/Touring trim for my wife's car was because the 9-speed transmission has some big things going on with it. I understand where you're coming from when you don't want your significant other's car to have issues.
Link to sales YTD through October:
http://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/1356/120/subaru-america-reports-record-october-sales
The CVT is based off the same "meat and potatoes" type of design that has been in Subies since 2010's Outback model and now ubiquitous through the line.
I'm not saying there isn't a problem with the design - I'm no engineer - I'm just saying if it was a true design flaw like you are suggesting, I would think that this would be all over the place, or at least many more than 0.13% of units.
One of the reasons we didn't get the Honda Pilot Elite/Touring trim for my wife's car was because the 9-speed transmission has some big things going on with it. I understand where you're coming from when you don't want your significant other's car to have issues.
Link to sales YTD through October:
http://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/1356/120/subaru-america-reports-record-october-sales
Please keep this thread constructive and on topic. Posts inciting a flame war will be deleted. Do not directly attack any of the forum members. Keep this place collaborative.
To the OP, I would like to hear what the final outcome is when all the dust settles. You can message me privately if you would prefer not to have it public. I can promise you an open ear regardless of what action you take going forward.
To the OP, I would like to hear what the final outcome is when all the dust settles. You can message me privately if you would prefer not to have it public. I can promise you an open ear regardless of what action you take going forward.
I have the AT light come on and flashing, twice and less than 6000 miles. First event set a code P0842 with the light show yet the vehicle function remained good. I took it in and all systems checked out, yet the codes P0700 & P0842 remained set. I added about 1800 miles without incident out of state. Once back home, it’s back to lights on and another code set, the same ones while the mechanical still functions well. I have an appointment in a few days. Sounds like a bum transmission A circuit pressure sensor. I wonder if it will be replaced or more wait and see. With any issues on the drive train, the Eyesight features are disabled. Growing pains, it seems.
I too would like to know the final outcome and I hope cjzclan will be able to update us in a few weeks.
In the meantime, I'm sure cjz has been granted a loaner or rental and now has one of the fastest cars someone can obtain.
"Nothing faster than a rental car."
-Quoted anonymously, just before jumping train tracks in a Daewoo
In the meantime, I'm sure cjz has been granted a loaner or rental and now has one of the fastest cars someone can obtain.
"Nothing faster than a rental car."
-Quoted anonymously, just before jumping train tracks in a Daewoo
Four confirmed transmission replacements pending for December or January all demonstrating the same symptoms.bmac said:
CVT replacements are in NJ, VA, IL, and TX. Undiagnosed (but hopefully not the fifth in CO) just posted three videos a day or so ago. There may be more that aren't using social media or these forums. Hopefully it's limited to a small batch but to date I'm not sure if any of the vehicles share a common thread. Or what caused the problem in the first place. Or what measures have been taken to avoid the same scenario with the replacement transmissions.
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