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
32,000 miles · Oct 27, 2020
Service Brakes
AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES THE VEHICLE SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF WARPED FRONT ROTORS. THEY WERE MACHINED SMOOTH. AT 21,000 MILES THE SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND THIS TIME THEY FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 32,000 MILES AND IS PRESENTING WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE SYMPTOMS ARE: SHAKING WHEN BRAKING AND A NOTICE…
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AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES THE VEHICLE SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF WARPED FRONT ROTORS. THEY WERE MACHINED SMOOTH. AT 21,000 MILES THE SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND THIS TIME THEY FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 32,000 MILES AND IS PRESENTING WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE SYMPTOMS ARE: SHAKING WHEN BRAKING AND A NOTICEABLY DELAYED STOPPING TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11366726
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
14,000 miles · Oct 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ASCENT'S WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PURCHASE; IT WAS REPLACED WITH A OEM WINDSHIELD BY SUBARU. THERE WAS NO OBSERVED OBJECT IMPACT IN EITHER CASE. THE ATTACHED PHOTO IS OF THE SECOND CRACK WHICH WAS NOTICED TODAY.
NHTSA ODI #11365041
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR LURCHES AND HESITATES, THERE IS ALSO A LOW GROWLING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, IN NEIGHBORHOOD DRIVING, UNDER 30 MILES HOUR. THE CAR HAS ALREADY HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION AS WE WERE TOLD THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ISSUE CONTINUED AND WAS BAC…
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WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR LURCHES AND HESITATES, THERE IS ALSO A LOW GROWLING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, IN NEIGHBORHOOD DRIVING, UNDER 30 MILES HOUR. THE CAR HAS ALREADY HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION AS WE WERE TOLD THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ISSUE CONTINUED AND WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND WE CANNOT FIX IT. PLEASE DRIVE AS NORMAL. THIS ISSUE HAS BENE ONGOING WITH THE CAR FOR MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11364161
23,314 miles · Oct 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System
MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER) BASED ON THE MOST RECENT RECALL. HOWEVER NOW IT IDLES AND RUNS ROUGH JUST A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS SERVICE. I RECENTLY READ THERE IS ANOTHER LAWSUIT OR ISSUE WITH THIS FUEL PUMP AND THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME.
NHTSA ODI #11363767
10 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Visibility/wiper
4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY ASCENT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND A PASSING VEHICLE THREW UP A ROCK AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS SO SMALL THAT NORMALLY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BUT INSTEAD IT BROKE THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE DRIVER SIDE VIEW ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $…
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4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY ASCENT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND A PASSING VEHICLE THREW UP A ROCK AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS SO SMALL THAT NORMALLY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BUT INSTEAD IT BROKE THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE DRIVER SIDE VIEW ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200 FOR THE WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO BE RE-CALIBRATED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN ADDITIONAL COST OF $300. HERE I AM A YEAR LATER AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. EXACT SAME SPOT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE A TINY ROCK FLEW UP AND AGAIN CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE DRIVER SIDE ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE GLASS MANUFACTURER THAT SUBARU IS USING FOR THEIR VEHICLES AND ITS A COSTLY ONE
NHTSA ODI #11363435
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
150 miles · Oct 4, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKS AND CHIPS LEADING TO UNSAFE WINDSHIELD AND POOR VISIBILITY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN NOT IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM UNABLE REPLACE IT EACH TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11362630
100 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR IS VERY JUMPY AND SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT WITH THE AMOUNT OF FUEL DELIVERED TO THE PEDAL. THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WILL ALMOST STALL OUT, THEN I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL FURTHER DOWN TO DELIVER MORE GAS, BUT THEN IT MAKES ME GO TO FAST AND JUMPS.
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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