Affected Years: 2019, 2020 Subaru Ascent. Our law firm is also investigating 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Subaru Ascent for the same issues.
These issues seem to arise from defects in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU).
There is no question that we have become reliant on the technology present in our cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans. When it breaks, it is readily apparent, and we get it fixed. When it doesn’t get fixed, we find ourselves back at the dealership waiting on a repair, or leaving it for days to get fixed this time. Ideas like taking the transmission out of tow mode to avoid downshifts, and manually shifting yourself is more of an in the moment fix, bringing your boat back over the weekend, than anything you might be willing to do if Subaru couldn’t fix your transmission. This is something that should work when you need it, and you are well within your rights as an owner to expect Subaru to be able to fix this issue. See more info about this directly below.
It also tells you that you might have an issue with your Subaru that has been reported by other owners, and you may have just learned that you need to contact Guardian Lemon Law and ask for a lemon lawyer to sue Subaru for issues with the TCU, especially if they have had a few tries and are getting it to work right.
The Symptoms Of The 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent Loss Of Power Issue
Reports of this issue from consumers indicate that the vehicle fails to maintain speed under acceleration, often experiencing a severe loss of power. While the engine itself isn’t losing power, it isn’t transferring to the wheels via the transmission. This is caused by a TCU error, resulting in slippage in the CVT drive chain. There was a safety recall, WUV-07, that defined the issue further as an error where the clutch would engage prior to the chain being fully secured.
The resulting loss of power is staggering and not easy to resolve. It manifests itself between 35 and 50 mph. The TCU program needs to be updated as it is causing the CVT sensor to misread the hydraulic pressure, causing chain slippage. Without being corrected, the chain will eventually break.
In the recall, Subaru will update the TCU and conduct an inspection of the transmission. If there is any physical indication that the issue has occurred, the transmission will be replaced.
Guardian Lemon Law can provide you with a Subaru Ascent Transmission Failure (TCU Error) lemon lawyer if Subaru cannot get this repaired, and you find yourself back at the dealer with it broken again and again. If this is what you are experiencing, you may be eligible to file a lemon law claim for the issue. Guardian Lemon Law can review your case and tell you if your SUV and situation will qualify.
Lemon Law Basics
California Lemon Law, originally written and titled as The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, was passed in 1970 and signed into law in 1971. Its original purpose, and one that is still true today, is to protect and provide resolution for buyers who are experiencing issues dealing with a manufacturer’s express warranty. The issue and the vehicle have some qualifications that must be met. You must also be within the Statute of Limitations as set by state law. More on both of these items shortly.
If your vehicle feels like it is losing power and Subaru is struggling to fix it, Guardian Law Firm can provide a Subaru Ascent lemon law attorney to help you confirm that your vehicle meets the qualifications for a lemon law claim. When you want to know if your vehicle is eligible, please call the team at Guardian Lemon Law. We can file a Subaru Ascent defective Transmission Control Unit (TCU) lemon lawsuit if Subaru doesn’t work with you to execute the recall or replace the vehicle.
The Qualifications For A Lemon Law Claim In The State Of California
The qualifications listed below are generally straightforward. The key part of any lemon law claim is that the vehicle has been repaired for the same exact issue, without resolution. What constitutes the qualification of a reasonable repair effort is spelled out in the law. The first three items should all be met. The qualifications are:
- Your vehicle must remain under factory warranty at the time of the initial report, and remain so during all repair attempts
- The owner of the vehicle has not operated the vehicle in a way that causes or contributes to the reported problem, including improper use or abuse of any kind
- The dealer or representative has been allowed a number of reasonable repair attempts to address the issue. This means a minimum of two attempts for any safety-related issue, and at least four attempts for anything non-safety related
- The vehicle cumulative repair time for this issue is greater than 30 days in total, where the Ascent cannot be used by the owner
- The issue being experienced has a direct impact on the safe operation, the actual use, or the value of the vehicle to the owner
Guardian Lemon Law can provide you with a lawyer experienced in Subaru Ascent Transmission Failure (TCU Error) lemon law cases when it’s time to file a lawsuit.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Filing A Lemon Law Claim Or Lawsuit In California?
Lemon Law in California sets the time limit on filing a lawsuit or claim as the earliest of two different dates directly related to your vehicle purchase and delivery. The first date is one year from the expiration of your vehicle’s factory warranty. The second date is six years from the date you took delivery of your vehicle from the dealer. The expiration date will be the earlier of the two dates. For manufacturers that offer a 10-year warranty, you would only be able to file a lemon law claim 6 years from your delivery date, as it would be the earlier of the 2 dates. For those vehicles with a 3-year factory warranty, it will be the 1 year added to the factory warranty date.
Winning A Lemon Law Claim And What It Looks Like
The winning result of any lemon law claim, lawsuit, or settlement is going to be one of two different solutions. The manufacturer conducts a buyback of your vehicle, or they replace the vehicle with a similar or like model. There is always the possibility of a settlement, which may include a cash payment to you for resolving the issue, you keep the car, and you agree to bring no additional legal challenges regarding the vehicle to Subaru.
The buyback option will include all the costs of the first purchase, including tax, tag, and title work, fees, etc. Subaru will charge a per-mile rate for the mileage you put on the SUV before the first visit for the lemon issue repairs. The other item the law requires is that the manufacturer cover the reasonable legal fees. This means that we can sue Subaru for selling you a defective, lemon Subaru Ascent, and Subaru is on the hook for it when we win your case. It’s hard to beat free legal representation.
The Guardian Lemon Law Zero-Fee Guarantee
When you need to hire a lemon law attorney, there are some important things that separate Guardian Lemon Law from other legal firms. First is our Zero-Fee Guarantee. It is less a means by which we secure clients and cases, and more of a testament to our confidence level when it comes to winning claims and cases.
The Zero-Fee Guarantee begins with the initial consultations we offer all of our clients. There is no obligation for you to hire Guardian Lemon Law after that meeting is over. If you have another lawyer and are meeting with us for a 2nd opinion on the case, that is also going to be free of charge. We will be forthright in what we tell you about your case or claim.
When you hire Guardian Lemon Law, and we take your case, the guarantee also means we will never ask you for upfront legal fees before we start working. The same guarantee extends all the way to the end of the case as well. If we don’t win your lawsuit, we do not bill you for representation. Please call Guardian Lemon Law when you need a Subaru Ascent defective Transmission Control Unit (TCU) lemon law lawsuit filed by a law firm that believes in themselves enough to offer a Zero-Fee Guarantee.
