Started having problems with the brand new car shaking and brakes making grinding noises when stopping around 20k miles. Brought the car to the dealership and they ended up replacing the brake pads and rotors. It’s been just over a year and less than 15k miles since the replacement and the car started shaking and brakes are making a grinding noise again. Again took the car to the dealership and the rotors are bad. After further research, this is a constant and known issue and has yet to be resolved by subaru. Instead they wait for the new car warranty to wear off and let their customers pay out of pocket to have this fixed. Some owners have had to replace up to 4 times in less than 40k miles.
Second time windshield has cracked, not due to rock or debris chip, but from edge of windshield and either out or up. Crack continues to spread until replaced. It is dangerous to drive 1st incident - december 2022 , crack in middle of windshield, spreading two directions 2nd incident - may 3, 2024, crack from left side and out, contiunes to spead pictures attached
The contact owns a 2020 subaru ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the forward collision avoidance front camera became inoperable. The pre-collision, the braking control, and the lane departure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,737.
Unknown
Driver side mirror has vibration that increases with speed. At highway speeds, it is difficult to safely see the lane next to you, especially if there is a vehicle behind you with their headlights on. The vehicle's mirror glass and housing were replaced and the vibration remains. There is no observable vibration with the passenger side mirror. Was advised by a local dealership that there is no more they can do to eliminate the vibration.
The two map lights and the part referred to as the front overhead console has a defective design which at the least stops the lights from working properly, but at the worst, can start a fire. Subaru must be aware of the problem because it routinely change them. My vehicle listed above was ready for the installation of the third console when i said to myself, this one is not under warranty so let me call subaru. They agreed to cover part of the cost- now we are sure that subaru knows there is a fire hazard, didn’t report it, do a voluntary recall, or notify you. Am i eligible for money for whistleblowing? So i have pictures of the melted condition, and the repair. I also made a video of the repair. You can search re-engineering subaru ascent map light console if you want to see it. I figured the cause, developed a solution, and re-engineered it. I can, most can’t. I definitely shouldn’t have to get out a solder gun and repair the electrical components because they are defective. The problem is the design. The direction you push the light cover switch pushes the socket away from its contact. This creates a gap that causes heat that both melts the plastic, and also cracking and melting around the plate of metal that makes contact with the socket. I just soldered them together and have a light that works perfect, but i do have degraded cracked plastic around the socket, so i condenser it perhaps temporary, but better than hearing the light sizzle while arcing. Plus the lights work every time. You can search subaru ascent maplight and will find a bunch of people asking about the problem. For some it just stops working which is the best thing. For others you get sizzleing and a dim light. The resulting arcing also causes the light to turn off improperly and results in sizzling also. That’s should not be able to happen. Off is off. Let’s get this taken care of. We dont want injuries, or accident s because the light started smoking and distracted someone.
The front suspension is making a clanking noise. Inspection of the front strut towers tops shows an interior separation of the rubber in the strut bearing at 63k miles. There is also a noticeable difference between the left and right side relative to the components present. The space at the drivers side which is making the noise has a bigger separation in its components when the wheels are in a straight ahead position. The failure of this component can cause a catastrophic accident.
Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what i described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate. ' in february, i took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because it was getting louder each passing day. I was advised that the entire exhaust needed to be replaced, and i would be responsible for costs. I brought my car home, unrepaired, and called subaru of america to file a claim through them. I had repeatedly expressed concerns, and nothing was done, yet i'm expected to foot the bill now. Since february 12th, i have been back and forth with subaru and just made the appointment to get the exhaust work completed, with a small contribution from subaru. However, this past saturday, [xxx] my vehicle caught on fire while driving. I am fine, but my vehicle has now been deemed a total loss. As i was descending the mountain, i smelled the same 'perm solution' smell, and shortly after, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The smoke entered the cabin as i pulled off the road. Upon exiting the vehicle, flames and smoke were visible from the hood. I grabbed my purse and ran, called 911, and watched my vehicle engulfed in flames. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6)
The wireless car play phone connection randomly drops and is a known issue with subaru. This a potential safety issue due to dropping calls mid calls that are hands free and encourage the driver to grab the mobile phone change it from air play to phone and then back to air play to fix it. Or take it off car option requiring the drivers attention to be diverted. Also this issue drops the navigation embedded into the radio unit on the car which could again create a safety issue distracting drivers and causing accidents. This needs to be addressed immediately and subaru has no fix available.
Upon starting the vehicle, the driver side mirror started smoking. Secured the vehicle and disconnected the battery. Removed the mirror assembly and notice the electrical wires powering the blind spot indicator of the mirror assembly was burned and melted. Picture of the damage was taken prior to removing the mirror assembly from the vehicle.