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
7,000 miles · Dec 17, 2019
Electrical System
EVERY WEEK OR TWO THE CAR FAILS TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED, THE VEHICLE GAINS POWER BUT DOES NOT TURNOVER AND START. YOU NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, LOCK THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE AND GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS UP TO 7 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO SUBARU SERVICE D…
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EVERY WEEK OR TWO THE CAR FAILS TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED, THE VEHICLE GAINS POWER BUT DOES NOT TURNOVER AND START. YOU NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, LOCK THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE AND GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS UP TO 7 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 SEPARATE TIMES FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS AT A TIME AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11289620
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2019
Power Train
IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT GETS POWER AND JUMPS.THIS HAPPENS ALMOST 2 OR 3 DAYS IN A WEEK.IT HAPPENS IN CITY STREET.
NHTSA ODI #11288941
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT. TOLD IT WAS A NEW CAR AND IT WILL SUBSIDE. THE NOISE DID NOT SUBSIDE. IT GREW LOUDER. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO,BE CUT! ON A NEW CAR WITH UNDER 900 MILES! TOOK IT HOME AND THE NOISE WAS LESS BUT GREW LOUDER AS THE WEEK WENT ON.…
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BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT. TOLD IT WAS A NEW CAR AND IT WILL SUBSIDE. THE NOISE DID NOT SUBSIDE. IT GREW LOUDER. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO,BE CUT! ON A NEW CAR WITH UNDER 900 MILES! TOOK IT HOME AND THE NOISE WAS LESS BUT GREW LOUDER AS THE WEEK WENT ON. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO SUBARU AND THEY INDICATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS. OF COURSE, THEY DIDN'T MENTION IT WOULD TAKE OVER A WEEK AND A HALF TO GET THE PARTS. NOISE WAS WHEN BRAKING WHETHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WHEN MY CELL PHONE RINGS, THE RADIO STARTS BLASTING! I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NOT HAD TO RESOLVE BOTH THE BRAKES AND RADIO ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE, UNLESS THEY DID NOT SELL MANY ASCENTS. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT.
NHTSA ODI #11288929
10,000 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Service Brakes
THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY IDENTIFYING PARKED CARS OR CARS EXITING THE FREEWAY IN AN ADJACENT LANE AS OBSTACLES AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. THIS IS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 30 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. I'M TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE REAR ENDED WHEN MY V…
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THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY IDENTIFYING PARKED CARS OR CARS EXITING THE FREEWAY IN AN ADJACENT LANE AS OBSTACLES AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. THIS IS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 30 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. I'M TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE REAR ENDED WHEN MY VEHICLE GOES FROM 70 TO ZERO MPH WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE 'SAFETY EQUIPMENT' IS MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE BEEN TELLING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH MINIMAL RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11288794
1,000 miles · Dec 12, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V855000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE. FURTHERMORE, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V855000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE. FURTHERMORE, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING, SQUEAKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE STEERING/SUSPENSION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SHOOK FORWARD AND BACKWARDS, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS MADE AN ABNORMAL BUZZING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUENTE HILLS SUBARU (17801 E GALE AVE, CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91748, (626) 626-4800) MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR#:1-50458273772. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
NHTSA ODI #11288751
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2019
Unknown Or Other
REAR TAILGATE WON'T OPEN WHEN BUTTON PRESSED MAYBE HALF THE TIME. IT HAS CLOSED TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK WHILE GROCERIES WERE BEING LOADED AND HIT TWO PEOPLE IN THE HEAD. SUBARU DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CONTROLLING MODULE BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED FOR A YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11288087
13,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Suspension
CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA, GOING SLOW OVER SHARP BUMPS OR MODERATE SPEED OVER RIPPLED PAVEMENT. SOMETIMES MULTIPLE CHUNKS OVER A SERIES OF BUMPS. TURNING AT LOW SPEED SEEMS TO MAKE IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11287217
6,000 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE
NHTSA ODI #11286978
1,500 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Electrical System
AFTER CLEANING AND DETAILING THE INSIDE OF MY 2019 ASCENT, THE BREAK PEDAL WOULD ONLY DEPRESS1/2 TO 1 INCH PREVENTING THE AUTO TO START. AUTO ROADSIDE SERVICE JUMP STARTED AND SAID LEAVING DOORS OPEN DRAINED BATTERY BELOW 12V, PREVENTING IT FROM STARTING. SAID SUBARU BATTERIES ARE WAY UNDER POWERED AND DRAIN EASILY.
NHTSA ODI #11286605
21,300 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashFireInjury
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNE…
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TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNED THAT THESE VEHICLES WILL BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGH SPEEDS.
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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