Subaru Ascent reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,034 complaints about the Subaru Ascent with NHTSA since 2019, most often about electrical system and transmission and drivetrain. Subaru has filed 13 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 13 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Subaru Ascent? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Ascent a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2019 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,034
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 13
- Filed by Subaru
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Subaru
- Safety recalls
- 13
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Ascent with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | Brakes (33%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 15 | Visibility (13%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 50 | Visibility (46%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 45 | Brakes (22%) | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | 55 | Transmission and drivetrain (25%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2021 | 102 | Transmission and drivetrain (19%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2020 | 322 | Electrical system (31%) | 5 | 13 |
| 2019 | 442 | Electrical system (36%) | 9 | 13 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Ascent model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Subaru
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Subaru filed with NHTSA for the Ascent, in its own words. A warranty extension means Subaru pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMar 2025· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionMar 2025· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
- Warranty extensionJan 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019–2022
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2019–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
- Warranty extensionOct 2024· Brakes· model years 2019–2024
Subaru of America, Inc. has announced a warranty extension to the front brakes which will address concerns related to squeak and or judder noises. This is related to Ascent vehicles manufactured prior to January 11th, 2024.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2019–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2019–2020
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionJul 2024· Brakes· model years 2019–2024
This announcement provides information on a warranty extension for Ascent front brake judder/squeak on certain 2019 to 2024 model year vehicles manufactured prior to January 11th 2024.
- Warranty extensionJan 2024· Equipment and accessories· model years 2019–2020
In the interest of providing continued customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is implementing Warranty Extensions and additional benefits for owners and lessees of certain 2019- 20MY Ascent models.
- Warranty extensionJan 2023· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2019–2020
CVT Assembly (WRK-21) Warranty Extension.
- Warranty extensionSep 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2019–2020
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
- Warranty extensionAug 2022· Electrical system· model years 2019–2020
This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Ascent model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system289 (28%)
- Transmission and drivetrain180 (17%)
- Visibility and wipers152 (15%)
- Other or unspecified152 (15%)
- Engine102 (10%)
- Brakes81 (8%)
- Visibility40 (4%)
- Fuel and propulsion34 (3%)
Safety recalls
13 recalls cover at least one Ascent model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Subaru Ascent has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2019 on: 1,034 owner complaints, 13 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Subaru filed, and 13 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (442), 2020 (322), 2021 (102). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Subaru Ascent?
Across every model year since 2019, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (28%), transmission and drivetrain (17%), visibility and wipers (15%). Subaru has filed 13 warranty extensions covering the Ascent, listed on this page.
Which Ascent model years have the most complaints?
2019 (442), 2020 (322), 2021 (102). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Ascent with each other rather than with other models.
Has Subaru extended the warranty on the Ascent?
Yes: visibility and wipers (model years 2019–2022); visibility and wipers (model years 2019–2022); electrical system (model years 2019–2022), and 10 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Ascent?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 13 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.