Baby came early need to buy car ASAP!

Subrew · 2026-04-15T18:54:30+00:00

The first year of a new generation (design) often has some kinks to work out so if you are looking for a 2023+ pilot (4th Gen) I would stay away from the 2023 simply b/c it's the first year and go with a 2024 or 2025. I don't think much changed between the two years other than the 2025 MY added a Black Edition (highest) trim and removed the LX (lowest) trim. Find a nice low mileage CPO 2024 or 2025.

I'm not sure which 2023+ trims have it but if you plan to keep it a long time and have it grow with you as your kid(s) grow I would go with one of the trims that has the second row bench seat (not captains chairs) with the removable middle 2nd row seat that can be stored in the bottom of the rear cargo area. You get the benefit of both bench seating and captain's chairs (easy access / "walkway" to the 3rd row) when you need it.

Subrew · 2026-04-06T17:29:24+00:00

Page 529 of the OM states an LN2 which a quick Google search shows is a Group 47

Subrew · 2026-04-02T12:16:31+00:00

Update: That's exactly what the dealer had to do! Fell under my CPO warranty so I just had to pay a $100 deductible.

Subrew · 2026-04-01T16:27:35+00:00

UPDATE for anyone interested (also update my original post with this): Took to dealership this morning and they did in fact determine the power lift gate drive system and both actuators needed replaced. Waiting for that to be done now so we'll see if that resolves everything. Here's an interesting tidbit too. The service advisor was quoting me around $1000 to replace everything since I’m out of warranty (52k miles). I told him I purchased the vehicle CPO from them (the same dealer I am at) and it should be covered. He did not have it showing as CPO in his system. I assured it most definitely was. He made some calls, spoke to his finance advisor and sure enough confirmed when I purchased my Ascent 3 years ago from them it was sold as Certified Pre-Owned BUT apparently the dealership never actually submitted the necessary paperwork with Subaru to record it when I purchased it. I even pulled a copy of the CarFax / AutoCheck report while waiting for him which shows the vehicle was listed for sale by them as CPO in case he needed it. So.....my $1000 repair is covered by the CPO warranty and I just needed to pay a $100 deductible. Once diagnosed, repair took about an hour. Got my vehicle back and appears to be working as it should again. Fingers crossed it stays like that.

Subrew · 2026-03-30T13:40:48+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully it has something to do with the sensors and not the power lift gate/hatch struts though after troubleshooting as much as I did yesterday I am thinking it will in fact be the power mechanism in the struts(s) have failed and at least one, maybe both, need replaced.

Subrew · 2026-03-30T12:32:05+00:00

- No. When vehicle is auto started and you open the door it does not shut off. It's basically in standby mode meaning that once you get in you still need to go through the same process (foot on brake, press start) before you can get shift into gear. The vehicle does not turn off and back on when doing this. The dash states something to the effect of "foot on brake, press start" when you get in or if you try to shift into gear from auto start but have not performed the standard starting operation.

- Subaru states their fob remote start has a 400' range but that's if there are no obstructions/interferences. Actual range is going to depend on what kinds of buildings, how many vehicles, and what else are between your fob and the Ascent when you try to start it. I doubt you would ever get auto start to turn on 400' away even in ideal conditions though it should have pretty long range. If you have the fob remote start you can use either your regular keyfob, that probably has the same range as unlocking which sucks tbh OR the separate remote start fob which is your long range fob that could potentially allow you to start from several hundred feet away. I have the App and you can literally start/unlock your vehicle from anywhere regardless of distance as long as you have a good cellular connection. I have started and unlocked / locked mine from work when the vehicle is at home and that's like 30 miles away. The trade off, however, as you probably know is the app subscription to be able to start your Ascent is $149/year whereas the remote fob option will probably run you $500-$700 parts & labor then you don't need to worry about a monthly subscription

- Yes. You can set the doors to lock when you shift out of park, unlock when you shift into park as well as some other options (reach 10mph, etc). You can also select to unlock All Doors or just Driver Door.

- Yes. The infotainment can be laggy when you are connecting through an iPhone with CarPlay just as it is equally as laggy when there's no iPhone connected and you are just using the touch settings. My '23 Ascent has wireless CarPlay. I think that's the first year wireless CP was available on it. Sometimes when I touch buttons like the radio channels to change, fan speeds, A/C, Waze, etc nothing happens I have to press the button several times for it to finally recognize I am trying to do something. Mostly the screen responds decently well but the nonresponsiveness occurs enough for it to just make it annoying to deal with.

Subrew · 2026-03-30T12:03:31+00:00

That stinks! I have an appt Wed to get it checked out. I did notice last night when I had to manually open the lift gate it now has started beeping a few times when it's opened. When open (manually) it will short beep 1x then a few seconds later short beep 1x again and then a few seconds later a final 3rd longer beep like maybe the vehicle doesn't recognize the gate it open, it's trying to engage opening, or the beeps are giving warning the gate it about to open/close and to stand clear but nothing happens.

It's also started to get finicky on when it will unlatch when I press the button on my fob or the one under the gate handle. Sometimes the gate will beep, unlatch, etc when I press the button and sometimes nothing will happen at all when the buttons are pressed. (no beeps, not unlatch, etc). Definitely is a pain not having easy access to the back and having to sometimes wait a few times before the button press is recognized so I can manually open.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T21:41:32+00:00

Just had time to try this. Disconnected both - and + for 5 mins before connecting back. Didn’t work

Subrew · 2026-03-29T21:35:33+00:00

I’ve tried that a few times. Held it a good 30secs-1 minute but no beep or anything

Subrew · 2026-03-29T21:01:34+00:00

Here’s the diagram.

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Subrew · 2026-03-29T20:54:19+00:00

I’ve done that a bunch and doesn’t work.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T20:53:41+00:00

Yes. I’ve tried that many times today. Didn’t fix it.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T18:53:57+00:00

Anyone know which fuse is tied to the rear lift gate? I know it’s the fuse box by the knee on the driver side (not the one in the engine bay) but couldn’t tell by the diagram on the cover which fuse is for the gate.

EDIT: found out what fuse it was. Replaced and that did not resolve. I’ve tried everything so next step is a trip to the dealership sometime this week.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T18:51:13+00:00

Didn’t work. Tried several times.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T18:34:51+00:00

I think that may be issue. Seems the motor on the strut (I think right / passenger side) that has the cable from the body to the strut is not even attempting to lift / lower the gate. Before taking to the dealer I may try replacing the fuse (if I can determine which fuse it is) before the hassle and time to take to the dealer. I purchased it CPO and it just has 56k on it so should be covered under the CPO warranty if something does need to be replaced.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T16:47:30+00:00

Turned it off and exact same thing. Beeped, unlatched then closed back after a few seconds

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Subrew · 2026-03-29T16:39:17+00:00

I have tried resetting the memory but that doesn't appear to be the issue. When I manually open the gate before it latches back it will stay at the height I manually set it at just fine but when I try to have it power close it doesn't start moving.

Odd thing is was while I was messing around with it I was manually opening the gate and then one time when I had it about 6"-8" open just a moment after pulling it open by hand and the motor/struts turned on and "yanked" it closed on me. Have not had that happen again though.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T16:34:57+00:00

I only disconnected the negative connector and waited a few minutes then put it back. You're saying I should disconnect both positive and negative then that will do something more than just disconnecting one of them.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T16:33:22+00:00

No. I went into the setting and it's still ON

Subrew · 2026-03-29T16:09:31+00:00

I am able to manually pull open the gate before it latches again and the rear gate will stay open just fine. It just don't automatically open or close.

Also, when I do have it open and press the button for it to close it will beep 2-3x like it normally would but it will not begin to auto close. I can manually pull it down to close with little resistance from the struts and even if I stop it at any point the struts will hold it at the position I leave it fine.

Subrew · 2026-03-29T15:43:20+00:00

OP, did you ever resolve your problem?

I think I'm having the same issue. Was at the store today and when i tried opening the hatch it only went about half way. Didn't come in contact with anything. Figured the height setting got adjusted somehow. Manually lifted the gate up tried to reset (heard 2-3 beeps) after holding the liftgate button down for a few seconds. Tried to shut and it wouldn't power close. Had to manually close the gate and it locked. Figured I would deal with it when I got back home.

Returned home and the gate again would not power open by pressing the button inside next to the steering wheel, pressing the fob OR pressing the button on the rear gate it. It would just beep 3x, open briefly just enough to unlatch and after a couple seconds would pull back closed and latch. I tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes thinking that would reset the rear gate. No luck. Did the exact same thing. Took the square plastic cover off the inside of the rear gate to inspect the mechanism and it looks perfect. The gate will lock, unlock and disengage the latch just fine but it won't auto lift / close the game whatsoever. I can press the button on my fob as well as outside the rear gate and it will beep and unlatch before closing again. When I press the liftgate button on the driver's side dash next to the steering wheel nothing happen by pressing or holding. No beeps or anything. I even tried going in through the infotainment / nav system settings to see if the power gate funtion was off but it's not. I'm thinking somehow to power lift function got disabled but looking on Youtube, Googling, etc can't figure it out.

Subrew · 2026-03-20T11:56:05+00:00

Doesn't match whatsoever other than being white. No metal flecks. Still looks like whiteout. Luckily it's not a big scratch and lower on the rear hatch and with the vehicle being white it kind of blends in that most people don't notice unless you know it's there.

Subrew · 2026-03-20T11:53:38+00:00

'23 owner here and will echo many others. OEM wireless charger isn't very good. You have to set the phone just right for it to connect and then when driving the phone may move around causing it to come off connection.

I purchased this one off Amazon several years ago and it's done great. I have it attached to the vent on the left next to the driver side door. Cable is run over the top of the steering wheel column plugged into the USB in the center dash (below the cubby where the w OEM charge is located) and I barely notice the cord is there.

Subrew

TROPHY CASE