IllustrationI PURCHASED THE SUBARU ASCENT 2019 IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES A STRONG VIBRATION RESULTED WHILE BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE ALREADY FAILING.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ascent years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1920–25K
3425–50K
1050–75K
175–100K
2100–150K
0150K+
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
Service Brakes complaints
26 reportsAT FREEWAY SPEED, THE BRAKE MAKES NOISE AND VIBRATE WHEN YOU PRESS THE PEDAL LIGHTLY TO REDUCE SPEED, THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN YOU GO DOWNHILL. BATTERY DRAINS WHEN PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, REAR GATE DOES NOT LOCK WHEN CLOSED.
THE BRAKES SQUEAL, LIKE METAL TO METAL.THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS IT SEEMS I NEED MORE PRESSURE THAT BEFORE. I THINK MAY BE SAFETY …
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THE BRAKES SQUEAL, LIKE METAL TO METAL.THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS IT SEEMS I NEED MORE PRESSURE THAT BEFORE. I THINK MAY BE SAFETY ISSUE.
OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE IT NOT TOO LONG AFTER PURCHASING. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT OFF OR OUR DRUNK LOCKING AND WE CANT OPEN IT WE ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT.... WE PUT IN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE BREAK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. I NOTICED…
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OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE IT NOT TOO LONG AFTER PURCHASING. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT OFF OR OUR DRUNK LOCKING AND WE CANT OPEN IT WE ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT.... WE PUT IN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE BREAK SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. I NOTICED IT WHEN I FIRST DROVE IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF THERE IS A SHAKE AND STALL BEFORE IT MOVES. ALSO WHEN DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE IT JOLTS AND THEN GOES AGAIN ALSO A COMPLAINT....
THIS STARTED WITH ONLY 6K MILES ON 2019 ASCENT, THE BRAKES RIDE EXTREMELY ROUGH. BRAKING DOES ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE. THIS MAKES BRAKING, GIVE THE CAR A BUMPY RIDE AS IT DECELERATES AND THE DRIVER AN UNEASY FEELING.
IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS, THE ASCENT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO OBJECTS IN VIEW OF THE CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATED FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP, THINKING THE FOG WAS AN OBJECT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE CAN STOP AT ANYTIME, I…
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IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS, THE ASCENT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO OBJECTS IN VIEW OF THE CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATED FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP, THINKING THE FOG WAS AN OBJECT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE CAN STOP AT ANYTIME, IN THE FOG. IF THERE WAS TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM, WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU DIRECTLY NEXT. MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 8,500.
BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT. TOLD IT WAS A NEW CAR AND IT WILL SUBSIDE. THE NOISE DID NOT SUBSIDE. IT GREW LOUDER. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO,BE CUT! ON A NEW CAR WITH UNDER 900 MILES! TOOK IT HOME AND THE NOISE WAS LESS BUT GREW LOUDER AS THE WEEK WENT ON.…
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BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT. TOLD IT WAS A NEW CAR AND IT WILL SUBSIDE. THE NOISE DID NOT SUBSIDE. IT GREW LOUDER. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO,BE CUT! ON A NEW CAR WITH UNDER 900 MILES! TOOK IT HOME AND THE NOISE WAS LESS BUT GREW LOUDER AS THE WEEK WENT ON. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO SUBARU AND THEY INDICATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS. OF COURSE, THEY DIDN'T MENTION IT WOULD TAKE OVER A WEEK AND A HALF TO GET THE PARTS. NOISE WAS WHEN BRAKING WHETHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WHEN MY CELL PHONE RINGS, THE RADIO STARTS BLASTING! I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NOT HAD TO RESOLVE BOTH THE BRAKES AND RADIO ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE, UNLESS THEY DID NOT SELL MANY ASCENTS. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT.
THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY IDENTIFYING PARKED CARS OR CARS EXITING THE FREEWAY IN AN ADJACENT LANE AS OBSTACLES AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. THIS IS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 30 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. I'M TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE REAR ENDED WHEN MY V…
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THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY IDENTIFYING PARKED CARS OR CARS EXITING THE FREEWAY IN AN ADJACENT LANE AS OBSTACLES AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. THIS IS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 30 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. I'M TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE REAR ENDED WHEN MY VEHICLE GOES FROM 70 TO ZERO MPH WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE 'SAFETY EQUIPMENT' IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE BEEN TELLING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH MINIMAL RESPONSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V855000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE. FURTHERMORE, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V855000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE. FURTHERMORE, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING, SQUEAKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE STEERING/SUSPENSION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SHOOK FORWARD AND BACKWARDS, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS MADE AN ABNORMAL BUZZING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUENTE HILLS SUBARU (17801 E GALE AVE, CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91748, (626) 626-4800) MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR#:1-50458273772. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
BRAKE FAILURE ON NEW CAR
Official recalls
926V436000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.