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2019 Subaru Ascent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ascent years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
9,300 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INDICATOR DISAPPEARED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. KOCOUREK SUBARU (2600 N. 20TH AVE, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INDICATOR DISAPPEARED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. KOCOUREK SUBARU (2600 N. 20TH AVE, WAUSAU, WI) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11183866

2,417 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE DASH- STARTED FLASHING AND EVERYTHING AT ONCE STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND THEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED ON ITS OWN. VERY SCARY WHILE IN TRAFFIC- I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR OVER 3 HOURS. DIALS: AT OIL TEMP FLASHES, ALL ELECTRONIC THINGS IS ALL OFF AND LIT. TRANSMISSION AND BRAKING ISSUES- ALL AT ON…

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I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE DASH- STARTED FLASHING AND EVERYTHING AT ONCE STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND THEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED ON ITS OWN. VERY SCARY WHILE IN TRAFFIC- I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR OVER 3 HOURS. DIALS: AT OIL TEMP FLASHES, ALL ELECTRONIC THINGS IS ALL OFF AND LIT. TRANSMISSION AND BRAKING ISSUES- ALL AT ONCE. CITY STREET BRADDOCK RD AND I PULLED OFF AT KINGS PARK SHOPPING CENTER IN FRONT OF WELLS FARGO AND CVS, STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11176385

600 miles · Jan 23, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHICLE CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTRO…

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HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHICLE CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTROL. VEHICLE MOVED RELENTLESSLY SIDE TO SIDE MAKING A WHITE KNUCKLE EXPERIENCE. SIDE WINDOW LANE DEPARTURE LIGHTS WERE ALMOST ON CONSTANTLY. FELT LIKE THE WIND WAS LIFTING CAR FROM GROUND. HAD TO PULL INTO 2 REST STOPS AS STRESS OF TRYING TO CONTROL VEHICLE WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND STRESSFUL. AS FOR ELECTRONIC ISSUES DEALER REPLACED AMPLIFIERS AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS NEW RADIO/PHONE UNIT ORDERED BUT NOT INSTALLED DUE TO MY FILING LEMON LAW

NHTSA ODI #11171634

10 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Structure

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE REAR DOOR HANDLE. THE CHILD PROOF LOCK IS NOT SET. YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE FRONT DOORS SO THE REAR PAX CAN EXIT. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXIT QUICKLY, ONE HAS T…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE SET, THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE REAR DOOR HANDLE. THE CHILD PROOF LOCK IS NOT SET. YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE FRONT DOORS SO THE REAR PAX CAN EXIT. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXIT QUICKLY, ONE HAS TO REMEMBER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE FRONT DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH TO LET THE REAR PAX OUT. SUBARU TELLS ME THAT IT'S NORMAL, AND I THINK IT SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING. I PUT TODAYS DATE AS WHEN THIS HAPPENS SINCE THERE IS NO "ALL THE TIME".

NHTSA ODI #11171179

650 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Visibility/wiper

MY CAR WAS PARKED. I SAW A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD (CAUSE UNKNOWN) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT BEGAN AT THE TOP GLASS AND DESCENDED, THEN HEADING INWARDS TOWARDS THE MIRROR. OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, IT HAS EXTENDED PAST THE MIRROR INTO THE DRIVER VIEW. THE SUBARU GLASS (AGC AUTOMOTIVE, DOT-376, M8H4 AS1, 30E, LAMISAFE) COULD B…

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MY CAR WAS PARKED. I SAW A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD (CAUSE UNKNOWN) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT BEGAN AT THE TOP GLASS AND DESCENDED, THEN HEADING INWARDS TOWARDS THE MIRROR. OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS, IT HAS EXTENDED PAST THE MIRROR INTO THE DRIVER VIEW. THE SUBARU GLASS (AGC AUTOMOTIVE, DOT-376, M8H4 AS1, 30E, LAMISAFE) COULD BE FAULTY.

NHTSA ODI #11166069

6,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Power Train

OUR ASCENT STARTED HAVING A SQUEAL AND RPM JUMP AROUND 6000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD ONLY MAKES THIS NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP UNTIL THE CHAIN/BELT WOULD RESEAT AND THE RPM RETURN TO NORMAL. IT THROWS NO WARNING CODES BUT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMI…

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OUR ASCENT STARTED HAVING A SQUEAL AND RPM JUMP AROUND 6000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD ONLY MAKES THIS NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP UNTIL THE CHAIN/BELT WOULD RESEAT AND THE RPM RETURN TO NORMAL. IT THROWS NO WARNING CODES BUT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN. WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT SUBARU HAS REPLACED SOME AND THEY ARE DOING SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TO FILE A CLAIM WITH SUBARU TO TRY TO GET THEM TO INITIATE A FIX FROM THE SUBARU ENGINEERS. TOTALLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT 65-70 AND THEN IT STALLS OUT BEFORE IT FIXES ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI #11165954

800 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Visibility/wiper

I RECENTLY NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS OF GLARING SPECKS/DOTS WHEN FACING THE SUNLIGHT IN EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON. THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES SO BLURRY AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I FACE LIGHTS EVEN NIGHT TIMES WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES KINDA OF GLARE. I CLEANED WITH MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS NOT GOI…

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I RECENTLY NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS OF GLARING SPECKS/DOTS WHEN FACING THE SUNLIGHT IN EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON. THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES SO BLURRY AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I FACE LIGHTS EVEN NIGHT TIMES WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES KINDA OF GLARE. I CLEANED WITH MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS NOT GOING AT ALL, ONE ANGLE CAN BE SEEN VERY GREY COLORED DOT. TOOK TO DEALER AND ALSO AGREED WITH THIS. NOT SURE WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS, BUT I WANT THIS NHTSA LOOK AT SERIOUSLY. MY CAR IS JUST ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND 2K MILES ON IT AS OF NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11143074

55 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Air Bags

AIRBAG SENSOR FAULT.

NHTSA ODI #11140196

3,400 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Engine

DRIVING ON FREEWAY CHECK ENGINE CAME ONLINE SUDDENLY. EYESIGHT TURNED OFF. CAR BECAME UNSTABLE, COULD NOT GO PAST 60 MPH. KIDS IN FREKING OUT. VERY UNSAFE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOLLOWED THESE FORUMS HTTPS://WWW.ASCENTFORUMS.COM/FORUM/137-SUBARU-ASCENT-COMPLAINTS-ISSUES-PRO…

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DRIVING ON FREEWAY CHECK ENGINE CAME ONLINE SUDDENLY. EYESIGHT TURNED OFF. CAR BECAME UNSTABLE, COULD NOT GO PAST 60 MPH. KIDS IN FREKING OUT. VERY UNSAFE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOLLOWED THESE FORUMS HTTPS://WWW.ASCENTFORUMS.COM/FORUM/137-SUBARU-ASCENT-COMPLAINTS-ISSUES-PROBLEMS/1981-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-11.HTML APPARENTLY EARLY SUBARU MODELS HAD 2 BOLTS MISSING IN THE ENGINE AIRTIGHT COMPARTMENT. ATLEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED. I HAVE DRIVEN SO MANY MILES SUBARU AS NOT ISSUED A TSB AND A RECALL. I WAS PLANNING TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AS THIS A UNSAFE THING TO DO. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I HOPE YOU COULD ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND HONESTY W/ SUBARU. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. DID SUBARU DELIBERATELY HID THIS FROM CONSUMERS? PLEASE CHECK THIS FORUM THREAD AGAIN HTTPS://WWW.ASCENTFORUMS.COM/FORUM/137-SUBARU-ASCENT-COMPLAINTS-ISSUES-PROBLEMS/1981-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT-11.HTML

NHTSA ODI #11139704

65 miles · Aug 11, 2018
Visibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH NO WARNING, NO EXTERNAL IMPACT, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR IMPACT TO WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #11119346

Official recalls

9

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

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.