FOUND AROUND 1 INCH OF WATER SETTING UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT OF OUR 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING, WITH ONLY 2500 MILES ON IT, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR DAYS WITH RAIN STORMS. WIFE NOTICES A SLOSHING SOUND WHILE SHE DROVE IT 1 MILE AND BACK HOME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT, BUT COULDN'T INITIALLY FIND THE LEAK. …
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FOUND AROUND 1 INCH OF WATER SETTING UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT OF OUR 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING, WITH ONLY 2500 MILES ON IT, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR DAYS WITH RAIN STORMS. WIFE NOTICES A SLOSHING SOUND WHILE SHE DROVE IT 1 MILE AND BACK HOME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT, BUT COULDN'T INITIALLY FIND THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLAINT OF A WATER LEAK PRIOR, WITH NO DEALER ACTION. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF LOOKING, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A MISSING OR POORLY INSTALLED GROMMET ON THE FIRE WALL AROUND THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CARPET AND PUTTING IN A NEW WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WOULD INDICATE A POTENTIAL FOR MOLD AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES DUE TO POOR GROMMET INSTALLATION ON THE FIREWALL. IF THIS VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SITTING OUTSIDE, THE ISSUE WOULDN'T OF BEEN FOUND FOR A LONG TIME, CAUSING MOLD AND POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL SAVE LIVES AND KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY, IF THEY CHECK THEIR FIREWALL GROMMETS FOR POOR INSTALLATION.
NHTSA ODI #11337661
400 miles · Jul 4, 2020
Electrical System
WE PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE AND WITHIN 400 MILES THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON OR NOR WAS THERE ANY EXTERNAL DRAIN ON THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN OUR GARAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11337424
4,000 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD TWICE AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328937
31 miles · May 13, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY HAS DIED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING. DIED IN GARAGE OVER NIGHT 3 ON SEPARATE TIME AND NO I DID NOT LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS A WEEK LATER AND DID THE SAME. I HAD TO PURCHASE A LITHIUM BATTERY JUMP STARTER BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER CAR AND T…
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BATTERY HAS DIED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING. DIED IN GARAGE OVER NIGHT 3 ON SEPARATE TIME AND NO I DID NOT LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS A WEEK LATER AND DID THE SAME. I HAD TO PURCHASE A LITHIUM BATTERY JUMP STARTER BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER CAR AND TO GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND. THE THIRD TIME WAS A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS UNLOADING THE CAR , TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE AND CAME BACK TO PULL CAR INTO GARAGE AND IT WAS DEAD. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME A RUN AROUND STATING I HAD LEFT THE EITHER A DOOR OPEN OR LIGHTS ON.WHICH REALLY TICKED ME OFF. PURCHASED NEW 3/30/2020. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324471
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2020
Electrical System
WE RECEIVED OUR NEW VEHICLE ON 04/28/2020 - THE VEHICLE SAT FOR SEVERAL DAYS (5-7) WITHOUT BEING USED. ON 05/09/2020 THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMPED TO START IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324256
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
IN FEB MY CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD IN MORNING AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE TURNED OFF AND NO DOORS OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD IT JUMPED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND IT WAS FINE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED A WEEK LATER SAME SCENARIO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS BAD BATTERY. SO THE DEALER REPLA…
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IN FEB MY CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD IN MORNING AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE TURNED OFF AND NO DOORS OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD IT JUMPED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND IT WAS FINE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED A WEEK LATER SAME SCENARIO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS BAD BATTERY. SO THE DEALER REPLACED IT AND IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE THIRD TIME NOW TODAY IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN EXCEPT THIS TIME MY CAR WAS BEEPING AT ME LIKE IF THE UNLOCK KEY FOB BUTTON HAD BEEN HIT BUT DOING IT EVERY FEW SECONDS. SO I WENT AND FOUND BOTH KEY FOBS AND THEY WEREN'T BEING DEPRESSED SO I TRIED TO UNLOCK DOOR MYSELF WITH KEY FOB AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND RED LIGHT ON FOB BLINKED EVERY TIME I TOUCHED IT BUT I WOULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH CAR SO I TRIED TO CLICK TAILGATE BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. SO I THEN WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. SO WE JUMPED IT AND LET IT RUN FOR TWENTY MINUTES AND DEALER WANTS US TO TAKE IT BACK BUT THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVEN'T HEARD IF THIS ISSUE WHEN I SEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324157
6,633 miles · Apr 26, 2020
Electrical System
MY CAR FAILED TO START AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS. HOOKED BATTERY UP TO A PORTABLE JUMPER WHICH READ BATTERY AMPS AT 6.7. BATTERY JUMPED WITHOUT ISSUE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO KEPT THE CAR FOR 4+DAYS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER ADVISED ME TO LOCK MY CAR DOORS AS THAT COULD HELP TUR…
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MY CAR FAILED TO START AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS. HOOKED BATTERY UP TO A PORTABLE JUMPER WHICH READ BATTERY AMPS AT 6.7. BATTERY JUMPED WITHOUT ISSUE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO KEPT THE CAR FOR 4+DAYS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER ADVISED ME TO LOCK MY CAR DOORS AS THAT COULD HELP TURN COMPUTERS OFF AND NOT DRAIN BATTERY. ANOTHER 2 MONTHS WENT BY AND MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE JUMPED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES IF IT SAT AND WASN'T DRIVEN FOR MORE THEN 3 DAYS OR IF I FORGOT TO LOCK IT. FINALLY ON THE MORNING OF 4/20/20 I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD YET AGAIN. THE CAR HAD BEEN LOCKED BUT NOT DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS. WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE PORTABLE CHARGER, THE AMPS READ 3.6. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF PER INSTRUMENT PANEL. JUMPED CAR AND TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 4+ DAYS AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS IT BAD. CURRENT MILEAGE ON CAR IS 6633.
NHTSA ODI #11322325
1,200 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM (ADAPATIVE CRUISE CONTROL), LANE DEPARTURE AND ANTI COLLISION SYSTEMS DEACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED WHILE IN REVERSE.
NHTSA ODI #11309903
1,014 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
PURCHASED NEW 30 DEC 2019. OWNED 5+ WEEKS NO ISSUES - DROVE 07 FEB 2020 NO DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUES OR WARNING LIGHTS, PARKED AS USUAL IN HEATED GARAGE AT HOME. WENT TO START 08 FEB 2020, WHEN START BUTTON PUSHED, NO STARTING BUT ALL THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FLASHED BRIGHTLY AND RAPIDLY (3-4 TIMES A SECOND) FOR ABO…
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PURCHASED NEW 30 DEC 2019. OWNED 5+ WEEKS NO ISSUES - DROVE 07 FEB 2020 NO DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUES OR WARNING LIGHTS, PARKED AS USUAL IN HEATED GARAGE AT HOME. WENT TO START 08 FEB 2020, WHEN START BUTTON PUSHED, NO STARTING BUT ALL THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FLASHED BRIGHTLY AND RAPIDLY (3-4 TIMES A SECOND) FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN ALL ELECTRICAL INOPERATIVE (NO LIGHTS ANYWHERE, NO HORN, NO STARLINK ACTIVATION... SUBARU ROAD ASSISTANCE CALLED & THEY SUMMONED ANDERSON TOWING (A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY); WHEN JUMPER CABLE ATTACHED TO BATTERY IMMEDIATELY ALL LIGHTS CAME ON BRIGHTLY AND A LOUD ELECTRICAL ARCING NOISE OCCURRED AND IT STARTED. IF THIS TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAD HAPPENED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION IT COULD HAVE RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC INJURY AND DAMAGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP 10 FEB 2020 WHO CHECKED BATTERY AND COMPUTER TROUBLE CODES AND FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? IT WAS A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - JUMPING THE VEHICLE REMINDED ME OF PARAMEDICS SUCCESSFULLY APPLYING AED PADDLES TO DEFIBRILLATE A STOPPED HEART. THIS SITUATION IS SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEEDS AN IMMEDIATE REMEDY.
NHTSA ODI #11308370
1,000 miles · Jan 9, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DROPPING HER DAUGHTER OFF AT DAYCARE, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, PUSHED THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DROPPING HER DAUGHTER OFF AT DAYCARE, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, PUSHED THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE, THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE RECONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED UP INDEPENDENTLY. ROADSIDE SERVICE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE TOWED HYMAN BROS SUBARU, 11960 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113, (804) 893-8900, TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
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 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.
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.
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
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2020 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year