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
4,500 miles · Oct 2, 2020
Electrical System
ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH. MESSAGE "KEYLESS INGNITION SYSTEM DISABLED" . COULD NOT RESTART. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WORKED, NO LOSS OF LIGHTS OR RADIO. COULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY. RESTARTED AFTER 1/2 HOUR. DROVE 300 YARDS AND ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN, SAME MESSAGE. AFTER AN HOUR CAR WAS TOWED, BUT RESTARTE…
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ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH. MESSAGE "KEYLESS INGNITION SYSTEM DISABLED" . COULD NOT RESTART. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WORKED, NO LOSS OF LIGHTS OR RADIO. COULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY. RESTARTED AFTER 1/2 HOUR. DROVE 300 YARDS AND ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN, SAME MESSAGE. AFTER AN HOUR CAR WAS TOWED, BUT RESTARTED. DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. MILEAGE, 4,500. CAR 6 MONTHS OLD. NO RECURRENCE AFTER 3 WEEKS AND ANOTHER 500 MILES. INCIDENT OCCURRED OPPOSITE A CELL TOWER.
NHTSA ODI #11362417
20,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
Electrical System
THE TAILGATE WAS LEFT OPEN FOR APPROX 45 AND THE BATTERY DRAINED TO THE POINT WE COULD NO LONGER START THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11361619
2,743 miles · Sep 26, 2020
Electrical System
THE AUDIO FOR ALL FUNCTIONS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS WORKING, PARKED IT FOR 1.5 HOURS IN GARAGE, STARTED VEHICLE AND NO AUDIO. STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR STILL NO AUDIO. FOLLOWED MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS TO RESET THE AUDIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND STILL NO AUDIO. LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT AND IT STILL DOESN'T HAVE ANY AUD…
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THE AUDIO FOR ALL FUNCTIONS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS WORKING, PARKED IT FOR 1.5 HOURS IN GARAGE, STARTED VEHICLE AND NO AUDIO. STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR STILL NO AUDIO. FOLLOWED MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS TO RESET THE AUDIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND STILL NO AUDIO. LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT AND IT STILL DOESN'T HAVE ANY AUDIO. TRYING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11361265
3,400 miles · Sep 22, 2020
Electrical System
AFTER DRIVING CAR, PARKED TO GO INTO A STORE. WHEN I RETURNED BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY. CAR HAS ABOUT 3,400 MILES ON IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN LEFT ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS WITH ENGINE OFF. BEEPING COMING FROM REAR AREA BY LIFT GATE. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY CHARGED BATTERY AND I DROPPED …
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AFTER DRIVING CAR, PARKED TO GO INTO A STORE. WHEN I RETURNED BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH BATTERY. CAR HAS ABOUT 3,400 MILES ON IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN LEFT ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS WITH ENGINE OFF. BEEPING COMING FROM REAR AREA BY LIFT GATE. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY CHARGED BATTERY AND I DROPPED CAR OFF AT CAR DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER ASCENT OWNERS HAVING SAME ISSUES. THETE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS FOR THIS ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11360591
4,500 miles · Sep 22, 2020
Electrical System
THE BATTERY DIED WHEN MY ASCENT KEPT BEEPING 3 TIMES AFTER I CLOSED THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE. IT BEEPS 3 TIMES EVERY 20 SECONDS IN AN HOUR. THE BATTERY DIED
NHTSA ODI #11360364
3,600 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Visibility/wiper
TWO TIMES THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THE MOMENT OF IMPACT WAS NOT OBSERVED, JUST THE LARGE CRACK ACROSS HALF THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND TIME A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN ONE HOUR THE CRACK HAD SPREAD FAR ENOUGH THAT THE WINDSHIELD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE H…
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TWO TIMES THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THE MOMENT OF IMPACT WAS NOT OBSERVED, JUST THE LARGE CRACK ACROSS HALF THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND TIME A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN ONE HOUR THE CRACK HAD SPREAD FAR ENOUGH THAT THE WINDSHIELD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR (BOUGHT BRAND NEW) FOR 5 MONTHS AND THIS WILL BE THE THIRD WINDSHIELD ON THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11360264
8,900 miles · Sep 10, 2020
Visibility/wiper
ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR, THERE IS A LARGE CRACK THAT HAS APPEARED FROM NO WHERE. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW OR DID WE SEE ANY DAMAGE OTHER THAN A CRACK APPEARING ONE DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11354230
10,000 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY HAS UNEXPECTEDLY REPEATEDLY DRAINED LEAVING UNABLE TO START. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #11353391
1,866 miles · Sep 4, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD. I HAVE ENSURED NOTHING IS LEFT ON AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. I ONLY HAVE 1866 MILES ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11353178
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST 12,000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING.
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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