Subaru Ascent · SUV
Subaru's newest and best turbo boxer: 2.4L direct injection, used in WRX VB, Ascent and Outback XT. Oil pan RTV sealant was the early issue (fixed under warranty, corrected from 2025). Too early for real long-term data, but Ascent owners past 100k miles report trouble-free operation. Budget for carbon buildup cleaning like all DI engines.
Three-row family SUV — Subaru's biggest
FA24 turbo with CVT and AWD in a big SUV package. Room for 7-8, standard AWD. Popular in the US. No sporting ambitions, pure family hauler with Subaru AWD. CVT chain slip recall and fuel pump recall on early models — check before buying.
Engine Weaknesses 5
Recall WUW-08 (Dec 2019): ~51,600 vehicles. Steel washer in PCV valve separates due to heat cycling — engine oil and fragments enter combustion chamber. Engine loses drive power. Free repair; short block replaced if valve fragments not found.
Plastic thermo control valve (TCV) housing fails under heat cycling. Coolant vapor short-circuits sensor reference line — all driver assist systems go offline. Warranty extended to 15 years/150,000 miles. Affects 2019-2021.
Symptoms: All warning lights simultaneously, vehicle becomes inoperable, disabled safety systems (EyeSight, lane keep), engine overheating
Sub-optimal factory RTV application at the oil pan. Service bulletin published, repaired under warranty. Corrected at the factory from 2025.
Symptoms: Oil drops under engine, oil level loss
Same DI issue as the FA20DIT. Budget for walnut blasting every 40-50k miles.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss at low RPM
Hydraulic cam phaser loses oil pressure overnight. Cold start produces 1-3 seconds of sharp clattering until oil pressure builds. Harmless at correct oil level; inspect if noise persists warm or gets longer.
Symptoms: Sharp clattering or rattling on cold start for 1-3 seconds, sounds like chain noise, disappears once oil pressure builds
Vehicle Weaknesses 3
TCU software issue: CVT engages before drive chain is secured. Chain can break — power loss and crash risk. Recall WUV-07.
NHTSA 20V218: impeller in low-pressure pump with insufficient density — deforms, engine stalls. 188,207 affected 2019 Ascents.
Most common 2021 complaint: battery drains overnight. Possible cause: parasitic draw from infotainment or EyeSight calibration.
