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
What owners actually said
441 reports
11,800 miles · May 10, 2021
Electrical System
THE BATTERY IN OUR CAR WAS DEAD AFTER ACCIDENTALLY LEAVING THE TAILGATE DOOR OPEN FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WE DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS ENOUGH TO DO IT BUT JUM STARTED IT AND IT WAS OK FOR A DAY BUT THEN WOULDN'T START REGULARLY WITHOUT LEAVING ANY DOORS OPEN. WE TOOK IT INTO SUBARU AND ULTIMATELY HAD THE BATTER CHANGED EVEN THOUGH THEY T…
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THE BATTERY IN OUR CAR WAS DEAD AFTER ACCIDENTALLY LEAVING THE TAILGATE DOOR OPEN FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WE DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS ENOUGH TO DO IT BUT JUM STARTED IT AND IT WAS OK FOR A DAY BUT THEN WOULDN'T START REGULARLY WITHOUT LEAVING ANY DOORS OPEN. WE TOOK IT INTO SUBARU AND ULTIMATELY HAD THE BATTER CHANGED EVEN THOUGH THEY TOLD US IT WASN'T THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN TODAY WHEN WE WENT TO USE IT. WE MAYBE LEFT THE TAILGATE OPEN FOR 30 MINUTES A FEW DAYS AGO UNLOADING GROCERIES. THAT SEEMS A LITTLE EXTREME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT IT HAPPENED AT A PARKING GARAGE BEFORE TOO LEAVING ME TO NEED TO GET A RIDE.
NHTSA ODI #11415999
27,319 miles · May 10, 2021
EngineUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON LAST WEEK MAY 5TH 2021 WHILE I WAS DRIVINGTHECARHONE AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTERTOSCHOOL. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISE TO TAKE THE CAR IN. AS I DROVE THE ENGINE STARTED TO LAG AND ICOULDNOTDRIVE MORE THAN 45MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WA…
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ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON LAST WEEK MAY 5TH 2021 WHILE I WAS DRIVINGTHECARHONE AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTERTOSCHOOL. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISE TO TAKE THE CAR IN. AS I DROVE THE ENGINE STARTED TO LAG AND ICOULDNOTDRIVE MORE THAN 45MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THIS CAR IS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. WHEN THE CVT WAS REPLACED THE CAR NEVER RUN THE SAME, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT LAGS AND HESITATE DURIBG ACCELERATION. UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL. THEN THIS HAPPEN. I HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.
NHTSA ODI #11415842
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2021
Electrical System
CAME OUT TO THE CAR AND FOUND A COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY AFTER IT HAVING NO WARNING OF A LOW BATTERY. CAR WAS DRIVEN YESTERDAY.
NHTSA ODI #11415423
6,000 miles · May 6, 2021
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED DREYER & REINBOLD SUBARU (1301 US-31 STE 2, GREENWOOD, IN 46143, (317)885-4800) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED DREYER & REINBOLD SUBARU (1301 US-31 STE 2, GREENWOOD, IN 46143, (317)885-4800) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. INVALID VIN.
NHTSA ODI #11415393
11,100 miles · May 2, 2021
Unknown Or Other
DEAD BATTERY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR HAS ONLY $11,100 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A JUMP AND GO TO THE NEAREST PLACE AND BUY A NEW BATTERY. THIS OCCURRED ON A SUNDAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ALL MAINTENANCE AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE AT A DEALERSHIP IN A TIME…
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DEAD BATTERY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR HAS ONLY $11,100 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A JUMP AND GO TO THE NEAREST PLACE AND BUY A NEW BATTERY. THIS OCCURRED ON A SUNDAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ALL MAINTENANCE AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE AT A DEALERSHIP IN A TIMELY MANNER. I HAD NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11414867
58,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Service Brakes
I HAD BRAKES REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2020 WITH 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE NOTICED WOBBLING/PULSING WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. SUSPICIOUS THAT IT WAS THE ROTORS, I HAD THE MECHANIC WHO WAS DOING MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK THE ROTORS. HE LET ME KNOW THAT THE ROTORS AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING WARPED. I C…
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I HAD BRAKES REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2020 WITH 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE NOTICED WOBBLING/PULSING WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. SUSPICIOUS THAT IT WAS THE ROTORS, I HAD THE MECHANIC WHO WAS DOING MY 60,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK THE ROTORS. HE LET ME KNOW THAT THE ROTORS AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING WARPED. I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO IN TURN TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A "NEW" PROBLEM WITH A "NEW" LIMITED AVAILABILITY PART THAT JUST CAME OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP I DEAL WITH SAY THIS IS UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKES ARE WEAR AND TEAR, BUT I ALREADY REPLACED MY BRAKES AND PAID FOR THOSE OUT OF POCKET. IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF REPLACEMENT BRAKES TO WHERE THE CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM. SINCE IT IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM, IT COULD OBVIOUSLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS BRAKE PAD KIT (TO THE TUNE OF $200+ AFTER LABOR) WHEN ALL I DID WAS REPLACE THE BRAKES WITH WHAT THEY CAME UP WITH. IF THAT PART IS WRONG, SUBARU NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
NHTSA ODI #11414437
22,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AND QUICKLY SPREAD OVER 12 INCHES AND NOW EFFECTS THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11414381
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2021
Electrical System
REPEATED (MANY TIMES) FAILURE OF BATTERY. STATIONERY. POTENTIAL FOR BEING LEFT WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION IN AN ISOLATED AREA.
NHTSA ODI #11413951
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2021
Electrical System
I ALREADY REPLACED THE BATTERY IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND LESS THAN 25000 MILES.I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY LEVEL IS LESS THAN 12V WHEN I DON'T USE THE CAR FOR AROUND 5 DAYS. TO PREVENT THE BATTERY DRAIN I'VE BEEN CHARGING IT EVERY WEEK OR LESS. I HAVE ALSO AVOIDED USING THE TRUNK BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO DRAIN THE BATTERY FASTER. …
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I ALREADY REPLACED THE BATTERY IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND LESS THAN 25000 MILES.I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY LEVEL IS LESS THAN 12V WHEN I DON'T USE THE CAR FOR AROUND 5 DAYS. TO PREVENT THE BATTERY DRAIN I'VE BEEN CHARGING IT EVERY WEEK OR LESS. I HAVE ALSO AVOIDED USING THE TRUNK BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO DRAIN THE BATTERY FASTER. PARKING THE CAR FOR A DAY AND USING THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES DOES BRING THE BATTERY LEVEL TO LESS THAN 12V.
NHTSA ODI #11413355
8,000 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Electrical System
EVEN THOUGH I DRIVE MY 2019 ASCENT REGULARLY, I HAD TO JUMP START MY BATTERY TWICE LAST YEAR WITHIN A SPACE OF 1 MONTH. THE DEALER TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MARCH 28, 2021, HAVING DRIVEN 500 MILES FROM MY HOME IN CA TO SCOTTSDALE AZ, MY BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED AND AAA TOLD ME HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH SUBARU BATTERIES & I HAD TO …
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EVEN THOUGH I DRIVE MY 2019 ASCENT REGULARLY, I HAD TO JUMP START MY BATTERY TWICE LAST YEAR WITHIN A SPACE OF 1 MONTH. THE DEALER TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MARCH 28, 2021, HAVING DRIVEN 500 MILES FROM MY HOME IN CA TO SCOTTSDALE AZ, MY BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED AND AAA TOLD ME HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH SUBARU BATTERIES & I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE AT A COST OF $207. MY SUV BOUGHT IN JULY 2019 HAS A LITTLE OVER 8,000 MILES AND WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU, THEY BASICALLY BLAMED VARIOUS THINGS AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A DEALER.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2019 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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