← New search

2020 Subaru Ascent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ascent years

Owner complaints for the 2020 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

140 reports with mileage · 182 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 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

56 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

V1.THE BATTERY DIED WITHIN 6 MONTHS 4 TIMES :FIRST TIME AUG. 21. 2020 , THAN DEC. 03.2021 , DEC 24.2021 AND JAN.04.2021 2.THE STEREO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY SOUND CUTTING OFF FREQUENTLY. 3.BREAK PROBLEM. BEFORE 6 MONTHS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ARE STILL MAKING GRINDING UNUSUAL NOISE. EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE DEALER…

Read full complaint

V1.THE BATTERY DIED WITHIN 6 MONTHS 4 TIMES :FIRST TIME AUG. 21. 2020 , THAN DEC. 03.2021 , DEC 24.2021 AND JAN.04.2021 2.THE STEREO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY SOUND CUTTING OFF FREQUENTLY. 3.BREAK PROBLEM. BEFORE 6 MONTHS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ARE STILL MAKING GRINDING UNUSUAL NOISE. EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE NO IMPROVEMENT. ACTUAL BREAK ACTION NOT CONSISTENT AND NOT RELIABLE SAVE. 4.THE AC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY - KICKS IN EVEN WHEN IN HEATING MODE. IN USING THE REMOTE START THE AC KICKS IN IMMEDIATELY AND CHANGING THE SETTINGS WILL NOT HELP. 5.THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM? INSTEAD OF BEING A SAFETY FEATURE IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM FEATURE. BECAUSE IT IS NOT RELIABLE MAKES SAFE DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT ? AND WE HAD CONSIDERED THIS SYSTEM AS A PLUS WHEN DECIDING ON SUBARU ASCENT. 6.PROBLEMS WITH TRUNK OPENING ? SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK WITH KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE ? HAS TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. 7.OIL LEVEL SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. 8.THE VIN NUMBER WAS LISTED TO HAVE A RECALL ? BUT WHEN CHECKING IT OUT IT SHOWED 0 RECALLS. WE CONSIDER THIS VERY STRANGE. 9.AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER, WE ARE TOLD THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE ? BUT ONE OR TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS SHOW UP AGAIN. 10.BLUETOOTH SYSTEM KEEPS DELETING PHONES. 11.RPM GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. 12.MPG INDICATION NEVER CHANGES SHOWS ALWAYS SAME VALUE ? EVEN UNDER COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM FILING THIS CLAIM FOR MAY DAUGHTER [XXX] BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALSO THE PROBLEMS ARE ONGOING SINCE THE DATE LISTED BELOW INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11388299

5,000 miles · Jan 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE CRACK FIRST APPEARED IT WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11386293

70 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. IT WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD IN BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTIONS EACH DAY. I DID NOT FIX IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19 FEARS. IN DECEMBER 2020 I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT HAD GROWN TO…

Read full complaint

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. IT WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD IN BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTIONS EACH DAY. I DID NOT FIX IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19 FEARS. IN DECEMBER 2020 I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT HAD GROWN TO 1.5 FEET LONG.

NHTSA ODI #11383612

4,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Unknown Or Other

LEMON LAW IN ACTION. I TOOK MY CAR TO CAPITAL SUBARU OF GREENSBORO AUGUST 2ND WITH A COMPLAINT OF CLICKING COMING FROM THE DASH. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND YOU ACCELERATE. THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE BUT DIDNT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS AND STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE RESPONSE…

Read full complaint

LEMON LAW IN ACTION. I TOOK MY CAR TO CAPITAL SUBARU OF GREENSBORO AUGUST 2ND WITH A COMPLAINT OF CLICKING COMING FROM THE DASH. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON AND YOU ACCELERATE. THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE BUT DIDNT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS AND STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE RESPONSE THEY GAVE ME WAS TO PICK MY CAR UP AND BRING IT BACK WHEN THE NOISE GETS WORSE. COMPLAINTS WERE FILED WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2019 AND THE NOISE AND ANSWER IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL NOT BE DRIVING MY 4 WEEK OLD SON IN A CAR MAKING A NOISE THAT NOT NO ONE KNOWS WHY. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE WITH THIS DEALERSHIP. SINCE I WENT PUBLIC WITH MY STORY, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING FROM THE WOODWORKS WITH THEIR HORRIBLE EXPERIENCES WITH THIS PLACE. THEIR MECHANICS ARE SUB PAR BY FAR. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AND ONLY WENT ON A COUPLE OF 4 MINUTE TEST DRIVES. I WAS TRACKING IT WITH GEOLOCATION AND SPEED ALERTS. COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH NCDOJ AND FTC AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11349775

4,400 miles · Jul 31, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A NOTICIBLE HIT TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE

NHTSA ODI #11342567

6,600 miles · Jul 16, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKS EASY

NHTSA ODI #11339742

4,000 miles · May 26, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

A LARGE CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2020 ASCENT, AND EXPANDED RAPIDLY OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW HOURS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2020. SUBARU WILL NOT COVER THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT SENSORS IS OVER $1,000 THROUGH SAFELITE. …

Read full complaint

A LARGE CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2020 ASCENT, AND EXPANDED RAPIDLY OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW HOURS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2020. SUBARU WILL NOT COVER THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT SENSORS IS OVER $1,000 THROUGH SAFELITE. I'M CONCERNED THAT HAVING AN OUTSIDE COMPANY RE-CALIBRATE THE SENSORS WILL VOID THE WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY CLARIFICATION. MY DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD (AS THEY'VE INDICATED THIS MUST BE DONE BY A THIRD PARTY), AND CANNOT RE-CALIBRATE THE SENSORS FOR OVER A WEEK. THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY WINDSHIELD TO HAVE SUCH A LARGE CRACK, AS THERE ARE NO CHIPS VISIBLE AND I DO NOT RECALL ANYTHING STRIKING MY WINDSHIELD RECENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325967

1,235 miles · May 16, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 SUBARU ASCENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. FROM DAY ONE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GENERATING AN EXCESSIVE AND POTENT FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE BAY THAT IS THEN PULLED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM WHILE RUNNING. THIS SMELL IS PREVALENT WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE …

Read full complaint

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 SUBARU ASCENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. FROM DAY ONE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GENERATING AN EXCESSIVE AND POTENT FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE BAY THAT IS THEN PULLED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM WHILE RUNNING. THIS SMELL IS PREVALENT WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS RUNNING; IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE AFTER PARKING (AND TURNING OFF) THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE AS THE GARAGE FILLS WITH A RAW FUEL SMELL THAT TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO DISSIPATE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN ALL TYPES OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND TRIP DURATIONS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALERSHIP TECH VERBALLY CONFIRMED THE FUEL SMELL UPON CHECK-IN AND OPTED TO RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR, EVEN TESTING THE FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. THIS WAS EVENTUALLY ELEVATED INTO A SERVICE REQUEST INCIDENT/TICKET WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA. TWO SUBARU FIELD ENGINEERS VISITED THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SECOND COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT CLAIMED IT WAS A RUNNING ENGINE/BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AND WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. THE ENGINEER'S PROPOSED REMEDY WAS TO USE THE "RECIRCULATE AIR" BUTTON TO PREVENT OUTSIDE SMELLS FROM BEING DRAWN INTO THE CAR. > I AM CONFIDENT THIS IS A FUEL SMELL, NOT A TYPICAL HEATED ENGINE SMELL AS SUBARU CLAIMS. > WHEN DRAWN INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SMELL CAUSES LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND HEADACHES. > USING THE RECIRCULATE AIR BUTTON IS NOT A SOLUTION, IT IS A MITIGATION TACTIC, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT SMELL IS CONTINUALLY GENERATED BY THE RUNNING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324809

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…

Read full complaint

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

1,100 miles · Apr 27, 2020
Unknown Or Other

DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES ON FREEWAY, CAUSING BLURRED VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11322328

Official recalls

5

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.

21V954000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Dec 9, 2021

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.

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.

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.