IllustrationTHE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I ARRIVED AT HOME AND HAD A RUN ON MY WINDSHIELD. WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS, IT RAN MORE.
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
66 reportsMY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY CRACKS OR CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THIS. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE TOP DRIVER SIDE CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD.
WINDSHIELD ON MY ASCENT 2019 CRACKED ON DRIVER SIDE WITH NO IMPACT
MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO, I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK (APPROXIMATELY 6') IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHO ADVISED ME I COULD EITHER PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE ($750.00) OR BETTER YET CONTACT SUBARU, AS THEY'VE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAIN…
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MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO, I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK (APPROXIMATELY 6') IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHO ADVISED ME I COULD EITHER PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE ($750.00) OR BETTER YET CONTACT SUBARU, AS THEY'VE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON SUBARU WINDSHIELDS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I APPLIED WINDSHIELD REPAIR TO PREVENT FURTHER CRACKING, TO NO AVAIL. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CRACK SPREAD OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SUBARU'S RESPONSE WAS FOR ME TO BRING IT TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. WHEN I WENT TO THE SUBARU DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE I HAD 51,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, SUBARU WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND PROVIDED ME WITH A QUOTE OF OVER $1,300.00. AS I AM RETIRED, MY VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN LOCALLY.
PURCHASED A NEW 2019 SUBARU ASCENT IN FEBRUARY 2019. AFTER HAVING IT HOME A FEW DAYS NOTICED A CHIP WITH A SMALL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE BOTTOM DRIVERS SIDE CORNER NEAR THE BLACKED OUT AREA, WHICH I DID NOT SEE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO SHOW THEM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TH…
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PURCHASED A NEW 2019 SUBARU ASCENT IN FEBRUARY 2019. AFTER HAVING IT HOME A FEW DAYS NOTICED A CHIP WITH A SMALL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE BOTTOM DRIVERS SIDE CORNER NEAR THE BLACKED OUT AREA, WHICH I DID NOT SEE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO SHOW THEM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. A MONTH LATER I WROTE A LETTER TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY LETTER. A YEAR LATER THE SMALL CRACK TURNED INTO A VERY LARGE CRACK AND ULTIMATELY I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD IN MARCH, 2020, AND PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE ON MY INSURANCE POLICY.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45MPH. STEREO SYSTEM DEFECTIVE. STEREO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. I WAS JUST DRIVING IT AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK...AND THEN WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE CRACK WENT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD.
MY WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY OBJECTS FROM THE ROADWAY TWICE AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN APRIL 2019, WHEN A CHUNK OF ICE FLEW OFF A VEHICLE AHEAD OF MINE AND NEARLY SHATTERED THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS IMPACTED BY A SMALL ROAD ROCK …
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MY WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY OBJECTS FROM THE ROADWAY TWICE AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN APRIL 2019, WHEN A CHUNK OF ICE FLEW OFF A VEHICLE AHEAD OF MINE AND NEARLY SHATTERED THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS IMPACTED BY A SMALL ROAD ROCK WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2020, RESULTING IN A GOLF BALL-SIZED PUNCTURE DOWN TO THE ADHESIVE SHEET. EVEN THE SAFELITE TECH REMARKED AT THE LEVEL OF DAMAGE AND WAS UNABLE TO SALVAGE THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A ROAD ROCK CAUSE THAT MUCH DAMAGE TO A WINDSHIELD, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN A VEHICLE I'VE OWNED THAT HASN'T TAKEN A ROCK AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER. IT'S UNAVOIDABLE. WHAT IS NOT UNAVOIDABLE IS THE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE NATURE OF THESE WINDSHIELDS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE BEHIND THE WHEEL. THAT WINDSHIELD WILL PROTECT NOTHING IN A HIGH-IMPACT SITUATION.
2 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. 1ST WAS NOVEMBER 2019 WITH MAJOR CRACK IN WINDSHIELD FROM SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING HWY 60 NEAR SALOME, AZ. INSURANCE REPLACED WITH OEM WINDSHIELD. 2ND WAS MAJOR CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON US 10 NEAR MORONGO, CA IN JUNE 2020. BUMPY ROAD, BUT DID NOT HEAR ANYT…
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2 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. 1ST WAS NOVEMBER 2019 WITH MAJOR CRACK IN WINDSHIELD FROM SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING HWY 60 NEAR SALOME, AZ. INSURANCE REPLACED WITH OEM WINDSHIELD. 2ND WAS MAJOR CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON US 10 NEAR MORONGO, CA IN JUNE 2020. BUMPY ROAD, BUT DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING HIT WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO IT CRACKING. PICTURES OF 2ND CRACK ATTACHED. REPLACED AT OWN COST OF $640.77 AS DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER CLAIM TO INSURANCE COMPANY IN LESS THAN A YEAR.
WE WERE DRIVING AND HAD A VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP IN THE WINDOW. WITHIN THE NEXT 30 MINUTES THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED THE ENTIRE FROM THE TOP SIDE OF THE CRACK ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE WINDOW. SO WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY ROCK CHIP REPAIR QUICKL…
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WE WERE DRIVING AND HAD A VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP IN THE WINDOW. WITHIN THE NEXT 30 MINUTES THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED THE ENTIRE FROM THE TOP SIDE OF THE CRACK ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE WINDOW. SO WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY ROCK CHIP REPAIR QUICKLY CHANGED TO NEEDING THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AT ALMOST $1,000. THE CHIP OCCURRED WHILE WE WERE GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR JUST GETTING ON THE ON RAMP TO I-55 AT MM 100 IN SPRINGFIELD IL.
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.