Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1240–25K
925–50K
350–75K
175–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
322 reports
3,500 miles · Jan 8, 2021
Service Brakes
VEHICLE HAS 6700 MILES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO DEALER 2X ALREADY FOR BRAKE ISSUES. FRONT BRAKES STARTED MAKING VIBRATION, GRINDING AND VIBRATION ISSUES. ISSUE EXACERBATED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL OR LIGHTLY BEING ON THE BRAKES. THEY'VE REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS…
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VEHICLE HAS 6700 MILES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO DEALER 2X ALREADY FOR BRAKE ISSUES. FRONT BRAKES STARTED MAKING VIBRATION, GRINDING AND VIBRATION ISSUES. ISSUE EXACERBATED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL OR LIGHTLY BEING ON THE BRAKES. THEY'VE REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. 250 MILES LATER GOING DOWN HILL THE BRAKES ARE VIBRATING AND MAKING A GROWLING NOISE
NHTSA ODI #11387212
2,500 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Power Train
LOSS OF POWER (INTERMITTENT) WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT LOWER SPEED AND OCCASIONALLY DURING ACCELERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS IN GEARS WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES RPMS THEN ONCE ON FLAT ROAD THE VEHICLE TAKES SOME TIME TO CHANGE GEARS. IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AT THE TOP OF T…
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LOSS OF POWER (INTERMITTENT) WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT LOWER SPEED AND OCCASIONALLY DURING ACCELERATION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS IN GEARS WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES RPMS THEN ONCE ON FLAT ROAD THE VEHICLE TAKES SOME TIME TO CHANGE GEARS. IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE RPMS GO PAST 3.5. SO I WAIT UNTIL THE CAR SWITCHES GEARS BEFORE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #11386456
16,946 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH WIDE GOING HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #11386369
9,800 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Lane DepartureStructureVisibility/wiper
MY VEHICLE IS FAIRLY NEW 7 MONTHS TO BE EXACT. WHEN IT WAS 4 MONTHS OLD I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE WINDOW PANELS THAT ARE METAL. WHEN I WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE SERVICE THEY DENY THAT THERE IS RUST AND JUST OFFERED TO POLISH IT. AT 7 MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD HAS CHIPS AND CRACKS WHICH IS ODD WITHOUT A REASON.
NHTSA ODI #11386341
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2021
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 9000 MILES. THE BATTERY JUST DIED AND IT IS NOT HOLDING A CHARGE
NHTSA ODI #11385976
22,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, HE NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT IN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU (5790 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816: (256) 382-2425) AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO WINDSHIELD REPAIR CENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, HE NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT IN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU (5790 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816: (256) 382-2425) AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO WINDSHIELD REPAIR CENTER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #11385458
1,600 miles · Dec 28, 2020
Electrical System
I HAVE ABOUT 1600MI AND HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART THE ASCENT 5 TIMES. THE DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT, BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH STARTING THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11385240
9,500 miles · Dec 23, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A COUNTRYWIDE ROAD TRIP AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SHIMMIED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE GOING DOWNHILL ON A STEEP GRADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER GROOVE SUBARU (5300 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, (720) 279-9409). THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A COUNTRYWIDE ROAD TRIP AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SHIMMIED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE GOING DOWNHILL ON A STEEP GRADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER GROOVE SUBARU (5300 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, (720) 279-9409). THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SEEK A COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NEAR HIS RESIDENCE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.
NHTSA ODI #11384657
6,000 miles · Dec 22, 2020
Electrical System
MY SUBARU ASCENT 2020 IS JUST 4 MOS OLD AND IS CURRENLTY AT 6KMILES ODOMETER READING. SPEAKER SYSTEM STOPEED WORKING TWICE ALREADY. AMPLIFIER GETTING HOT EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT USED. LAST NIGHT THE CAR WONT START AND AND ALL THE LIGHT INSIDE AND OUT JUST FLICKERED FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN DIED. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO…
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MY SUBARU ASCENT 2020 IS JUST 4 MOS OLD AND IS CURRENLTY AT 6KMILES ODOMETER READING. SPEAKER SYSTEM STOPEED WORKING TWICE ALREADY. AMPLIFIER GETTING HOT EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT USED. LAST NIGHT THE CAR WONT START AND AND ALL THE LIGHT INSIDE AND OUT JUST FLICKERED FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN DIED. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED. SO YEAH A 4 MONTH IKD CAR WITH BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES ALREADY.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2020 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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