2020 Subaru Ascent Complaints

Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent (Build Date: March 2020) Component: Power Train – Automatic Transmission – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor / Wiring Harness The vehicle developed a flashing "Transmission Service" warning and check engine light. It was inspected by a certified technician at Lithia Reno Subaru. Diagnostic scan identified multiple transmission-related codes including P0137, P0700, P2096, P1867, P0867, P2723, and P0841. The technician documented the root cause as: "Found pressure sensor leaking oil through all harnesses." According to the dealership diagnosis, the transmission hydraulic pressure sensor failed and allowed transmission fluid to migrate into the vehicle's electrical wiring harness system. Fluid traveled through the transmission harness and continued into the bulkhead and engine harnesses, contaminating multiple electrical systems. Due to the extent of contamination, the dealership determined that all three harnesses must be replaced. The repair estimate is approxim...

Oil Leak(s) (found cam carriers leaking, front timing cover leaking, oil cooler leaking, upper and lower oil pan leaking. recommend engine reseal). Massive oil leaks found in car due to RTV sealant. Subaru uses RTV silicone sealant (formed-in-place gaskets) instead of traditional rubber gaskets for many sealing surfaces (cam carriers to heads, timing cover, oil pans, etc.). Transmission failure at 37,000miles which needed replacement. In dealership service for 52 days at that time. Transmission symptoms continued after replacement. Car hesitates while accelerating making it dangerous to accelerate to speed needed to merge into traffic. Same transmission symptoms occurring now that were present prior to complete transmission failure in 11/2021 that left me in middle of busy freeway with a disabled car. Subaru not taking transmission symptoms seriously. Continuous brush off from service and Subaru. Car is a lemon. Subaru not standing by product. Oil should not be leaking from every...

Car has 82,000 miles, has been maintained and requires an engine replacement due to 'Sludge'. Reading a lot of forums that indicate this is a common situation with this make and model and likely due to manufacturer's defects.

I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 miles an hour. Other times when I’m at a light or stop sign it hesitates also. I was told there was nothing wrong with it and they reprogrammed to transmission but it didn’t help at all.

Although the NHTSA form does not include a transmission category, this complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent, which caused oil migration into the wiring harness and contamination of the Engine Control Module (ECM). This complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent. The vehicle has been inoperable since June 2025 due to a failure of the transmission secondary pressure sensor. This failure caused oil to migrate into the wiring harness and ultimately contaminated the Engine Control Module (ECM), rendering the vehicle undrivable. Authorized Subaru dealership Huberger Subaru in Colorado Springs documented the following: - Replacement of the transmission secondary pressure sensor - Replacement of the engine wiring harness - Check engine light returned after repair - Confirmed oil contamination of the ECM Despite repeated repairs and part replacements, the vehicle remains out of service for over seven month...