general problems of the 2020 Subaru Ascent - part 2

Since purchasing our 2020 Subaru Ascent, the transmission slips, resulting in a lengthy wait time until it revs to the next gear, and then there is a palpable "jolt" as the transmission appears to move into the next gear. In addition, when I press the gas pedal to accelerate, there is a definite hesitation before the car actually accelerates. Previously, we had brought the car in to the Subaru dealership for service regarding this issue, but Subaru indicated that there has not been a problem and they did not open the transmission to look at it. We are also concerned about transmission-related problems given the recent recall of the 2020 Subaru Ascent. We know this has a cvt transmission but in this case we know that this problem is not normal. (we have family members and friends with cvt transmissions. ) we are bringing the 2020 Subaru Ascent in again this week, pointedly indicating these concerns with the transmission. Please advise.

Driving down the road the entire car started vibrating and felt wobbly when I got above 20mph. Pulled over to check tires and under the car, no obvious issues found. Turned off then back on the car, same issue above 20mph. The car was struggling to get up the tow ramp and smelled an acrid odor that both I and the tow truck driver noticed. Made terrible sound when shifting from p through r to d. This all happened on paved roads going back home. The car now has 150 miles on it, bought it 3 days prior new.

Purchased new 30 Dec 2019. Owned 5+ weeks no issues - drove 07 Feb 2020 no drive-ability issues or warning lights, parked as usual in heated garage at home. Went to start 08 Feb 2020, when start button pushed, no starting but all the vehicle lights (interior and exterior) flashed brightly and rapidly (3-4 times a second) for about 30 seconds then all electrical inoperative (no lights anywhere, no horn, no starlink activation. . . Subaru road assistance called & they summoned anderson towing (a local towing company); when jumper cable attached to battery immediately all lights came on brightly and a loud electrical arcing noise occurred and it started. If this total electrical failure had happened during vehicle operation it could have result in catastrophic injury and damage. Took vehicle to local Subaru dealership 10 Feb 2020 who checked battery and computer trouble codes and found nothing unusual. How is that possible? it was a total electrical failure - jumping the vehicle reminded me of paramedics successfully applying aed paddles to defibrillate a stopped heart. This situation is similar to other complaints noted for this vehicle. This is a potentially very dangerous issue and needs an immediate remedy.

My wife and I purchased a new 2020 Subaru Ascent in January this year. From day one, the vehicle has been generating an excessive and potent fuel smell in the engine bay that is then pulled into the passenger cabin via the hvac system while running. This smell is prevalent when walking around the outside of the vehicle while it is running; it is also noticeable after parking (and turning off) the vehicle in our garage as the garage fills with a raw fuel smell that takes several hours to dissipate. We are able to replicate this issue every time we drive the vehicle for more than 10 minutes in all types of driving conditions and trip durations. Outside temperature does not seem to be a factor. The vehicle has been taken into the dealership three times since purchase. On the second visit, the dealership tech verbally confirmed the fuel smell upon check-in and opted to run full diagnostics on the car, even testing the fuel pump/system, but could not identify the source of the smell. This was eventually elevated into a service request incident/ticket with Subaru of America. Two Subaru field engineers visited the vehicle, the first stated they could not replicate the problem, but the second could replicate the problem but claimed it was a running engine/burning plastic smell and was considered normal operation. The engineer's proposed remedy was to use the "recirculate air" button to prevent outside smells from being drawn into the car. > I am confident this is a fuel smell, not a typical heated engine smell as Subaru claims. > when drawn into the vehicle, the fuel smell causes lightheadedness and headaches. > using the recirculate air button is not a solution, it is a mitigation tactic, especially when that smell is continually generated by the running vehicle.

We are on our second Subaru Ascent, first one bought back for the same issue. Upon starting the car, the cabin will fill with a strong smell of raw fuel (not exhaust). The car will also fill with the smell if running while parked, remotely started, etc. The smell is also noticeable when turning off the car and on the outside of it.

Battery dead 7 times (beginning fall of 2020) or drained too low to properly use vehicle causing all doors to lock (issue when stranded in non-populated area with child in car) or hatch unable to close. All items in vehicle are off. Appears to be electrical in nature and possibly related to in going Subaru power-gate hatch issues. Have also had hatch open on own stationary & low speed. Often left stranded. Hard pulsating and grind on brakes at low to moderate speed causing car to pull and feel like not going to stop in motion on curved road, highway, city street. Started within year (Aug 2020) of owning after 1st service at dealer for routine oil change. Dealer says nothing wrong at all. Subaru refuses to acknowledge issues even though other owners are experiencing same. Told by Subaru lame excuses like not driving enough, shut everything off, do not use electronics so much, etc. Car jumped 7 times so far. Took to dealer 3 times (9/29 brakes, 12/9/20 & 1/2/21 for battery and brakes) so far and dealer even had to charge battery (1/21)! unknown drain from somewhere. Every time happens have to have tail gate reprogrammed or not able to open.