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

25,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020

Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED HALFWAY ACROSS JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE. SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OLD. WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER SUBARU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329994

20,000 miles · Jun 20, 2020

Unknown Or OtherVisibility

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HAD TWO CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD, ONE CRACKED AND HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD. 24 HRS LATER HAD ANOTHER CHIP AND ANOTHER WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I ONLY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY ONCE PER WEEK AND DON'T DRIVE MUCH BECAUSE I WORK FROM HOME. I USED TO DRIVE 60 MILES ON THE FREEWAY EVERY DAY FOR SCHOOL AND WORK WHEN I OWNED A SUBURA IMPREZA (2007) AND OUTBACK (2014) AND NEVER ONCE HAD A CHIP IN THOSE 5 YEARS UNTIL I PURCHASED ASCENT. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE NEW SUBARUS USE A THINNER GLASS DUE TO THE NEW EYE SIGHT FEATURE AND YOU DO NOT GET THE OPTION TO PURCHASE A THICKER GLASS WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329843

22,160 miles · Jun 14, 2020

Unknown Or Other

MOON ROOF CRACKED. CAR WAS PARKED AWAY FROM TREES ETC. ROOF WAS IN TACK WHEN PARKED. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE 2 HOURS LATER IT HAD A HUGE CRACK EXTENDING FROM BACK TO FRONT OF WINDOW. IT WAS A WARM SUNNY DAY, BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY HOT.

NHTSA ODI #11328795

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2020

Electrical System

PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE. TWICE SINCE PURCHASE, THE BATTERY HAS FAILED TO START THE CAR AND HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. BOTH TIMES THE TEMPERATURES WERE MODERATE AND THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN AT LEAST 20 MILES BEFORE BEING PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328506

8,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020

Electrical System

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MY BATTERY HAS DIED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DUE TO A LARGE CONTINUOUS INDEFINITE POWER DRAW WHEN THE REAR LIFT GATE IS OPEN. THE BATTERY WILL DIE WITH JUST AN HOUR OR TWO OF THE LIFTGATE BEING OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PACKING THE CAR AND WHILE CAMPING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT, AND SUBARU IN GENERAL, ARE ADVERTISED AS GOOD FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THIS COULD LEAVE A FAMILY STRANDED IN THE WILDERNESS. I'VE BEEN LUCKY TO BE WITH PEOPLE THAT HAD MORE RELIABLE OUTDOOR VEHICLES TO PROVIDE A JUMP. AND NOW I KNOW I CAN'T TRUST MY CAR TO START SO I WON'T BE USING IT FOR EXTENDED OUTDOOR TRIPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327753

1,000 miles · Jun 6, 2020

Visibility/wiper

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I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. 2-3 MONTHS LATER I WENT ON VACATION AND CAME BACK TO A HUGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED IN MY HEATED GARAGE WITHOUT AN ASSOCIATED CHIP. IT GRADUALLY EXPANDED BUT I WAITED UNTIL AFTER WINTER TO REPLACE TO AVOID ADDITIONAL CHIPS IN THE WINTER. 2-3 MONTHS AFTER I REPLACED FOR $700 WHILE DRIVING AGAIN A SPONTANEOUS CRACK APPEARED BEFORE MY EYES STARTING AT THE EDGE AND MOVING DOWN WITHOUT ANY APPARENT ROCK HITTING IT PRIOR. SINCE THEN 3 ADDITIONAL CRACKS HAVE APPEARED LARGELY COVERING MY WINDSHIELD. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND HAVE FOR YEARS. I HAVE 4 VEHICLES AND THIS ONE IS JUST DRIVEN AROUND TOWN. THE SUBURBAN WINDSHIELD IS COVERED IN CHIPS BUT NEVER IN MY 20+ YEARS OF CAR OWNERSHIP OF 20 OR SO VARIOUS CARS HAVE SEEN A WINDSHIELD THAT CRACKS TO THIS EXTENT WITHOUT LARGE ROCKS EVEN HITTING IT. THESE CRACKS ARE NOT A CHIP FROM A ROCK THAT EXPANDS. THERE IS CLEARLY A FLAW WITH THIS WINDSHIELD. FIRST TIME I WAS LIKE HUH WEIRD. SECOND WINDSHIELD WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM, THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE. DEALER IS TELLING ME TOUGH COOKIES LADY. THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE LIKE 1000$ TO REPLACE WITH THE RECALIBRATION REQUIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327501

30,000 miles · May 29, 2020

Unknown Or Other

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THE CAR WAS IN THE USUAL PARKING SPACE WHEN I GO TO WORK. NO HAZARD OR DEBRIS THAT MIGHT HIT THE CAR/ WINDSHIELD BUT TODAY WHEN I GET OFF FROM WORK, MY WINDSHIELD HAS A 30' LINEAR CRACK, EXTENDING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE UP TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO MARK THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS HIT BY A STONE OR DEBRIS OR HIT BY SOMETHING HARD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN OR HOW IT GOT A CRACK. IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACK BY THE DIRECT HEAT OF THE SUN? MAYBE THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE ON IT'S OWN AFTER CERTAIN TIME. OUR SUBARU ASCENT WAS PURCHASED ALMOST 23 MONTHS AGO WITH 30K MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326572

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2020

Visibility/wiper

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKS. I HAVE REPLACED MY WINDSHIELD ONCE LAST YEAR THINKING IT WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL ROCK. 5/29/20 MY WIFE INFORMED ME THAT ANOTHER ONE HAS FORMED AND DUE TO COVID MY WIFE HAS NOT LEFT THE HOUSE MUCH WHILE SHE HAS BEEN WORKING REMOTELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326486

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2020

Electrical System

THE BATTERY DRAINS REPEATEDLY IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY. SUBARU CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND JUST REPLACES THAT BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326428

2,700 miles · May 27, 2020

Electrical System

BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP THIS 10-MONTH OLD CAR 4 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT AS I MAY GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. THE BATTERY GOES FLAT DEAD WITH NO ABILITY TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR, AND NO WAY TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326132

Official recalls

26V436000 · 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

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)

Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.