Subaru Ascent years to avoid (and the best years)
1,028 NHTSA owner complaints and 13 recalls across 7 model years, 2019 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,028complaints
- 13recalls
- 33reported crashes
- 12reported fires
- 27reported injuries
Which Subaru Ascent years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Subaru Ascent years to avoid are 2019 and 2020. The typical Subaru Ascent year has 55 complaints on file.
- 2019: 441 complaints, 8.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (36% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (20% of complaints).
- 2020: 322 complaints, 5.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (31% of complaints) and the wipers and visibility (19% of complaints).
What are the best Subaru Ascent years?
The Subaru Ascent years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (44) and 2022 (55). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 0.3× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2024 | 50 | 0.9× | 1 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2023 | 44 | 0.8× | 4 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2022 | 55 | 1.0× | 2 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 102 | 1.9× | 2 | 3 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 322 | 5.9× | 5 | 6 | 5 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 441 | 8.0× | 9 | 10 | 8 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 587 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body169 (29%)
- Engine & powertrain140 (24%)
- Electrical & infotainment135 (23%)
- Brakes54 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires52 (9%)
Recalls (13)
Safety · 26V436000 · Jul 2026 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V647000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 23V392000 · Jun 2023 · model year 2023
Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 23V258000 · Apr 2023 · model year 2023
A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V907000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 21V955000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V954000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2020
The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V587000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V218000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2019
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19V855000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
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.
Engine · 19V856000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19V519000 · Jul 2019 · model year 2019
If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 18V508000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.