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2019 Subaru Ascent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ascent years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

239 reports with mileage · 202 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

160 reports
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12,000 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Electrical System

BATTERY FREQUENTLY DIES OVERNIGHT. I'LL GET IN THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND GO TO WORK AND BATTERY IS DEAD FOR NO REASON. NO LIGHTS LEFT ON OR DOORS OPEN. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES OVER 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11365398

13,000 miles · Oct 19, 2020
Electrical System

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT 2018. FROM THAT TIME UNTIL TO END OF 2019 I HAD A COUPLE OF CASES OF BATTERY DISCHARGE THAT I DID NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY THINKING THAT IT WAS ME LEFT LIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT OR KIND OF. 12/29/2019 THE CAR DID NOT START AT A GROCERY SHOP. I HAD TO CALL UBER FOR MY FAMILY AND SPEND 3 HOURS IN THE COLD CAR IN FREEZI…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT 2018. FROM THAT TIME UNTIL TO END OF 2019 I HAD A COUPLE OF CASES OF BATTERY DISCHARGE THAT I DID NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY THINKING THAT IT WAS ME LEFT LIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT OR KIND OF. 12/29/2019 THE CAR DID NOT START AT A GROCERY SHOP. I HAD TO CALL UBER FOR MY FAMILY AND SPEND 3 HOURS IN THE COLD CAR IN FREEZING TEMPERATURE WAITING FOR THE ROADSIDE ASSIST SERVICE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT CHANGED THE BATTERY. AFTER THAT I BOUGHT A JUMP STARTER THAT I HAD TO USE IT MANY TIMES DURING 2020. IN OCT 2020 WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING JUST ANOTHER TIME I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THAY TESTED EVERYTHING AND SAID THAT THE CAR AND THE BATTERY ARE OK. I FIND THE SITUATION UNACCEPTABLE. IT'S NOT A MINOR. JUST IMAGINE THAT YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH KIDS ON BOARD OUT OF REACH OF CELLULAR NETWORK IN A DEAD CAR. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING YOU ARE IN A SERIOUS TROUBLE. RECENTLY I'VE FOUND OUT THAT IT'S NOT MY CAR ONLY. A FRIEND OF MINE OWNS OUTBACK 2017 THAT HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF STORIES ABOUT DEAD BATTERIES IN OUTBACKS AND ASSENTS. IT'S SAD THAT SUBARU DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THEY MUST INVESTIGATE AND OPEN A RECALL TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11365270

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2020
Electrical System

HATCH LEFT OPEN OVER NIGHT, PARKED IN GARAGE. NEXT MORNING FOUND BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND UNABLE TO START ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11362681

11,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ASKED HER SON TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTAC'S SON JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE PR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ASKED HER SON TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTAC'S SON JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING DIAGNOSED AT WHITE BEAR SUBARU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO WHITE BEAR SUBARU (3505 HIGHWAY 61 N, VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN 55110) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #11354456

16,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Electrical System

THE BATTERY HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN DRAINED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE LEAVING THE TAILGATE OPEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, EVEN IF I TURN OFF THE SMALL CARGO LIGHT AND SOME LIGHT TI AVOID BATTERY DRAIN WHILE THE TAILGATE IS OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES A…

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THE BATTERY HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN DRAINED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE LEAVING THE TAILGATE OPEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, EVEN IF I TURN OFF THE SMALL CARGO LIGHT AND SOME LIGHT TI AVOID BATTERY DRAIN WHILE THE TAILGATE IS OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND REQUIRED ME TO JUMP START THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS AND TOLD ME THE BATTERY HAD BEEN SEVERELY DEPLETED, NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED, AFTER I JUMP STARTED THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AS DID ALL WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS THE X MODE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AND THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION. IT HAS BEEN FORTUNATE THAT EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I'VE BEEN AT HOME WHERE I COULD JUMP START THE CAR. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A TRIP WE WOULD BE STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #11349911

9,000 miles · Aug 12, 2020
Electrical System

OUR CAR IS ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND THE CAR BATTERY HAS NOW DIED 3 TIMES. IT STARTED WHEN CAMPING WHEN OPENING AND SHUTTING THE LIFT GATE FOR UNLOADING. WE DON'T KEEP THE BACK END OPEN TO PREVENT CHIPMUNKS GETTING INTO THE CAR FOR FOOD, SO IT WAS NOT LEFT OPEN AND THE LIGHTS DRAINED IT. WE HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE JUMPER CABLES AND A BA…

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OUR CAR IS ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND THE CAR BATTERY HAS NOW DIED 3 TIMES. IT STARTED WHEN CAMPING WHEN OPENING AND SHUTTING THE LIFT GATE FOR UNLOADING. WE DON'T KEEP THE BACK END OPEN TO PREVENT CHIPMUNKS GETTING INTO THE CAR FOR FOOD, SO IT WAS NOT LEFT OPEN AND THE LIGHTS DRAINED IT. WE HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE JUMPER CABLES AND A BATTERY CHARGER SO WE DON'T GET STRANDED AGAIN IN THE MOUNTAINS OR OUR DRIVEWAY. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BATTERY AND THEY SAW NO DRAIN ON IT. MAYBE THEY WILL COME JUMP OUR CAR WHEN WE NEED IT NEXT.

NHTSA ODI #11348945

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2020
Electrical System

BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD. HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES FOR UNKNPWN REASON. I CHECKS FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11348462

1,605 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Electrical System

AIR CONDITIONER BROKE. ONE DAY IT WORKED, THE NEXT DAY IT DIDN'T. HAD TO TAKE IT TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID SOME TYPE OF TUBING SLIPPED OR BROKE. THEY FIXED IT AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE THERE.

NHTSA ODI #11342434

16,432 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Electrical System

MY ASCENT HAS A LITTLE OVER 16,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED FEB. 2019. THE BATTERY DIED JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON AND TAIL GATE WAS NOT OPEN. HAD TO JUMP START IT AND TAKE IT TO SUBARU. BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT HOME AND NOT 2 DAYS LATER WHEN …

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MY ASCENT HAS A LITTLE OVER 16,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED FEB. 2019. THE BATTERY DIED JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON AND TAIL GATE WAS NOT OPEN. HAD TO JUMP START IT AND TAKE IT TO SUBARU. BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT HOME AND NOT 2 DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT FOR A FLIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11342432

10,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

PARKED THE CAR. THE REAR LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN WITH FOB OR FROM DASHBOARD. TWO QUICK BEEPS BUT NO MOVEMENT. WE DECIDED TO JUST GRAB OUR ITEMS FROM THE INSIDE AND LEFT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD UNLOCK BUT THE REAR LIFTGATE STILL DIDN'T WORK. WE LOADED UP THE CAR AND STARTED THE CAR BUT B…

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PARKED THE CAR. THE REAR LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN WITH FOB OR FROM DASHBOARD. TWO QUICK BEEPS BUT NO MOVEMENT. WE DECIDED TO JUST GRAB OUR ITEMS FROM THE INSIDE AND LEFT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD UNLOCK BUT THE REAR LIFTGATE STILL DIDN'T WORK. WE LOADED UP THE CAR AND STARTED THE CAR BUT BATTERY WAS DEAD. AFTER CHARGING UP THE BATTERY, ALL THE MAJOR SAFETY CAR FEATURES HAVE BEEN DISABLED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH MANY OTHER LIGHTS SHOWING UP. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT OR SAFE. I JUST CALLED SUBARU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 2 WEEKS LATER BUT I MANAGED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR NEXT DAY. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR ESPECIALLY WITH THE NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE TAILGATE.

NHTSA ODI #11342426

Official recalls

9

26V436000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jul 7, 2026

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

22V907000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Dec 8, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.

21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

Dec 9, 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 is completely clamped.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

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 replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:chain/belt

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 is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

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 replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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 is completely clamped.

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

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 replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.

21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

20V218000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Apr 16, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

19V855000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Dec 2, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.

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 trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.

19V856000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Dec 2, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.

19V519000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jul 10, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.

18V508000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Aug 2, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.