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Subaru Power Train Recalls Involving Driveshafts, Transmissions, and Gear Selection
Subaru’s power train notices repeatedly involve driveshaft separation and transmission drive chain problems. The 2019 Ascent appears in both a driveshaft support bolt recall and a transmission hydraulic pressure sensor recall, as well as the December 2021 chain recall covering 2019-2020 Ascent vehicles. That chain recall also includes 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles; the July 2022 notice covers 2020-2021 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Loose driveshaft support bolts recur in certain 2023 Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback vehicles. Separate notices address cracked front driveshaft components, a loose shifter cable nut, and inhibitor switch failure affecting reverse lights and the rearview camera.
Warning signs to watch for
- December 2019 Ascent transmission sensor recall: loss of drive power.
- December 2021 drive chain recall and July 2022 Legacy/Outback transmission chain recall: loss of drive power.
- WRP-23 front driveshaft recall: loss of drive power or rollaway while parked without the parking brake engaged.
- WRA-21 shifter cable nut recall: gear selector not functioning properly.
- WRQ-23 inhibitor switch recall: reverse lights do not illuminate and the rearview camera image does not display.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
The notices do not tell owners to stop driving for the July 2019 Ascent driveshaft recall, December 2019 Ascent transmission sensor recall, December 2021 drive chain recall, or July 2022 Legacy and Outback transmission chain recall. The notices also do not tell owners to stop driving for WRN-23 driveshaft support bolts, WRP-23 front driveshafts, WRA-21 shifter cable retention, or WRQ-23 inhibitor switch failure. None of these listed notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction.
What the free repair involves
Free remedies include driveshaft assembly replacement for WUI-94; brace mounting surface cleaning and new bolts for WRN-23; driveshaft inspection and replacement as necessary for WRP-23; nut inspection and tightening if necessary for WRA-21; and inhibitor switch replacement for WRQ-23. The December 2021 and July 2022 chain recalls provide free TCU reprogramming, inspections, and transmission replacement when evidence of slippage or damage is found.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 5 |
| medium | 3 |
Models affected most
Where owners report power train problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under power train for the Subaru models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Power train complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | 88 |
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | 58 |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 46 |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | 18 |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 14 |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | 12 |
| 2020 Subaru Legacy | 7 |
| 2023 Subaru Outback | 5 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 9, 2023 | Subaru Outback, Forester switch failure disables reverse lights, camera | medium |
| Nov 9, 2023 | Subaru Front Driveshafts May Crack and Break | high |
| Sep 21, 2023 | Subaru Driveshaft Bolts May Loosen And Disconnect | high |
| Jul 8, 2022 | Subaru Legacy and Outback Transmission Chain May Slip | medium |
| Dec 9, 2021 | Subaru Ascent, Legacy, Outback Drive Chain Risk | high |
| Jan 26, 2021 | Subaru Impreza, Outback Shifter Cable Nut May Loosen | medium |
| Dec 2, 2019 | Subaru Ascent Transmission Sensor May Misread Pressure | high |
| Jul 10, 2019 | Subaru Ascent Driveshaft Bolts May Loosen | high |
Common questions
Why does the 2019 Subaru Ascent appear in several power train recalls?
The July 2019 notice concerns loose driveshaft support bolts. The December 2019 notice concerns inaccurate transmission hydraulic pressure measurement. The December 2021 notice includes 2019-2020 Ascent vehicles with a TCU programming error that can allow premature clutch engagement.
Does a Subaru transmission chain recall always require a replacement transmission?
The December 2021 and July 2022 notices specify TCU reprogramming, inspection of TCU data for chain slip, and visual inspection of the chain guide. Transmission replacement applies when evidence of chain slippage or damage is found.
Which Subaru power train recall can affect the backup camera?
WRQ-23 covers certain 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, and 2021-2023 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Water entering an inhibitor switch through an insufficient weld can cause failure, preventing reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying. Dealers replace the switch free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.