SubaruAscent2019Overview/subaru/ascent/2019/base/

2019 Subaru Ascent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Ascent.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is an SUV that pairs an AV-S8 automatic transmission with an engine requiring 4.8 qt of 0W-20 oil, and it carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21/27/23 mpg. Reliability records for this model year log 432 owner complaints, with the electrical system as the top concern and nine recalls on record. Across the 2019–2026 Ascent run, the 2019 model year stands as the peak complaint year, making it the reference point for evaluating the model's early reliability trajectory and recurring problem areas.

Model year2025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18 105HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height76 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4420 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ascent of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2019 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-46.50 sec15.10 sec260 hpAWD
2019Limited 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Limited 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.20 sec260 hpAWD
2019Premium 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.10 sec15.60 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.30 sec15.80 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.30 sec15.80 sec260 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub177.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Checking Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 Checking Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)842.5 Speed up rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)142.5 Speed up rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.020-.024 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs Torque with dry threads. ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.760 - 1.880 lbs
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle. rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 105.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 85.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .590
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°-95°.89 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees +/-515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all bolts 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31 ft. lbs., Step 6: Tighten 98-102°, Step 7: Tighten bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Tighten bolts 3-6: 48-52°.14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°-35°.21 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal record, the 2019 Subaru Ascent logged 433 complaints, 9 recalls, and 607 technical service bulletins, the highest complaint count among the years shown. Complaints declined sharply to 316 in 2020 and continued a downward trend to 98 in 2021, 55 in 2022, 40 in 2023, 48 in 2024, 12 in 2025, and 1 in 2026. Recall activity followed a similar pattern, dropping from 9 in 2019 to 5 in 2020, then stabilizing at 2 recalls for 2021‑2022, rising to 4 in 2023, and falling to 1 recall each in 2024‑2026. The data indicate that the 2019 model year sits at the peak of reported issues within this generation, with later years showing progressively fewer complaints and recalls. Consequently, if minimizing potential problems is a priority, a later model year Ascent (2020 or newer) appears preferable based on the available federal records.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
607
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
432
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 432 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System123
Power Train60
Visibility/Wiper60
Unknown Or Other30
Service Brakes15
Engine13
Visibility13
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V855000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic…

21V955000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 09/12/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain… Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 607 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
02-196-262026-06-22EngineThis bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-151-24R2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ascent. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Ascent take?

4.8 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Ascent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Ascent get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.