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
20,000 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper
IN JANUARY 2020, WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, AT 1200 MILES, MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CRACK AND SPREAD OVER THE ENTIRE GLASS. I REPLACED IT WITH OEM GLASS AND THE DEALER RECALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. IN DECEMBER 2020, AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE WINDSHIELD GLASS STARTED TO PRESENT GOLD SPECKLES WHEN LIGHT HIT IT. I TOOK IT …
Read full complaint
IN JANUARY 2020, WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, AT 1200 MILES, MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CRACK AND SPREAD OVER THE ENTIRE GLASS. I REPLACED IT WITH OEM GLASS AND THE DEALER RECALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. IN DECEMBER 2020, AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES, THE WINDSHIELD GLASS STARTED TO PRESENT GOLD SPECKLES WHEN LIGHT HIT IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE FOUND NOTHING. IT CONTINUES TO IMPACT MY VISIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #11399754
23,000 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Electrical System
MY BATTERY HAS DRAINED TWICE IN 2 MONTHS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT NEEDED TO BE JUMPSTARTED. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NOTHING ELECTRICAL WAS ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED SEEKING EXTERNAL HELP TO DRIVE AWAY. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED, I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED BY MY DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY. …
Read full complaint
MY BATTERY HAS DRAINED TWICE IN 2 MONTHS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT NEEDED TO BE JUMPSTARTED. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NOTHING ELECTRICAL WAS ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED. BOTH TIMES REQUIRED SEEKING EXTERNAL HELP TO DRIVE AWAY. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED, I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED BY MY DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY. TO PREPARE FOR ANOTHER DEAD BATTERY, I PURCHASED JUMPER CABLES SO I WOULDN'T BE STRANDED.THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS AT 12,000 MI; SECOND TIME AT 23,000 MI.
NHTSA ODI #11399747
15,500 miles · Mar 6, 2021
Electrical System
BATTERY DEAD EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE AND DRIVEN AT LEAST 2-3X A WEEK. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN OCT 2020, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE WE NEED IT TO BE JUMPED START. EVENTUALLY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN MAR 2021.
NHTSA ODI #11399555
10 miles · Mar 4, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
DARK GRAY-BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST ON START-UP, LASTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. LARGE PLUMES WITH STRONG NOXIOUS ODOR. SMOKE AND FUMES HAVE TRIGGERED SEVERAL SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS. NOTED ON MOST DAYS, SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2019. FUEL EFFICIENCY IS FAR LOWER THAN THE 21-27 MPG CLAIMED BY SUBARU. ACTUAL AV…
Read full complaint
DARK GRAY-BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST ON START-UP, LASTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. LARGE PLUMES WITH STRONG NOXIOUS ODOR. SMOKE AND FUMES HAVE TRIGGERED SEVERAL SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS. NOTED ON MOST DAYS, SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2019. FUEL EFFICIENCY IS FAR LOWER THAN THE 21-27 MPG CLAIMED BY SUBARU. ACTUAL AVERAGE IS 14 MPG.
NHTSA ODI #11399159
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND SOS EMERGENCY DID NOT WORK. 4 PERSONS WERE INJURED IN THE IMPACT WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND SOS EMERGENCY DID NOT WORK. 4 PERSONS WERE INJURED IN THE IMPACT WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INSURANCE LOT, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS MULTIPLE FAILURES.*JB*JB*JB
NHTSA ODI #11398525
150 miles · Feb 25, 2021
Visibility/wiper
THE 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.
NHTSA ODI #11397951
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
THE TAILPIPE EXHAUST SMELLS STRONGLY LIKE GASOLINE. THE FUMES WILL ALSO COME THROUGH THE CABIN VENTS IF AIR CIRCULATION IS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11397935
8,000 miles · Feb 25, 2021
Electrical System
MY BARELY 2-YEAR CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT REFUSED TO START FOR THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS... TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK. ONE, PARTICULAR INSTANCE FROM THIS PAST WEEK, I DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO MY LOCAL LIBRARY TO DO CURBSIDE PICKUP. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHILE I WAITED 2 MINUTES FORTHE LIBRARIANS…
Read full complaint
MY BARELY 2-YEAR CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT REFUSED TO START FOR THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS... TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK. ONE, PARTICULAR INSTANCE FROM THIS PAST WEEK, I DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO MY LOCAL LIBRARY TO DO CURBSIDE PICKUP. I TURNED OFF MY CAR WHILE I WAITED 2 MINUTES FORTHE LIBRARIANS TO DELIVER MY BOOKS. I HAD MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. MY CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I DIDN'T SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM AS A FEW MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HAVING SO MANY ISSUES WITH MY FAIRLY NEW CAR. WELL, I COULDN'T ACCESS MY JUMPER BECAUSE IT WAS IN MY TRUNK WHICH CAN ONLY BE OPENED WHEN THE CAR HAS POWER. IT, OF COURSE, WAS RAINING, SLEETING AND SNOWING WHILE ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING AND MY CHILDREN WERE SCREAMING AND CRYING. THANKFULLY, ONE OF THE LIBRARIANS HAD NOTICED I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND WAS ABLE TO GIVE ME A JUMP. THIS IS PROBABLY THE 4TH OR 5TH INSTANCE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WHEN MY CAR WAS STARTED AND THEN WOULDN'T RESTART. USUALLY THE INSTANCE OCCURS IN MY DRIVEWAY. FRUSTRATED, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY, (FEBRUARY 19) TO SEE WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON, THEY SAID THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND CAME UP WITH EVERYTHING BEING NORMAL. I WENT HOME AND A FEW HOURS LATER MY FAMILY AND I DECIDED TO TAKE A LONG WEEKEND OUT OF TOWN. THE CAR WAS PACKED, KIDS WERE IN THEIR CARSEATS AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. PAYING $50K+ FOR A CAR THAT WON'T EVEN START IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS BEEN HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME OR ANY SUGGESTIONS OF NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11397900
26,400 miles · Feb 24, 2021
Visibility/wiper
MY 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.
NHTSA ODI #11397704
13,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD MANY MANY TIMES THAT THE BATTERY ON MY NEW CAR HAS DIED IF IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN DAILY. I HAD THE SHOP TEST THE BATTERY THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 2019. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD MANY MANY TIMES THAT THE BATTERY ON MY NEW CAR HAS DIED IF IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN DAILY. I HAD THE SHOP TEST THE BATTERY THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 2019. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. MY CAR HAS DIED AGAIN THIS WEEK. I AM WORKING FROM HOME AND WITH THE MASSIVE SNOW, I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW IT IS DEAD.
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
Illustration