NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
160 reportsClear category filter17,600 miles · Dec 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
AT ONLY 17.6K MILES, THE BATTERY IN MY 2019 SUBARU ASCENT WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED OVERNIGHT, FOR NO LOGICAL REASON. I CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GIVE ME A JUMP AND I LET IT RUN FOR 33 MINUTES THEN TOOK IT FOR A 10 MIN DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OVERNIGHT AND UNTIL THE 10 M…
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AT ONLY 17.6K MILES, THE BATTERY IN MY 2019 SUBARU ASCENT WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED OVERNIGHT, FOR NO LOGICAL REASON. I CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GIVE ME A JUMP AND I LET IT RUN FOR 33 MINUTES THEN TOOK IT FOR A 10 MIN DRIVE. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OVERNIGHT AND UNTIL THE 10 MIN DRIVE. DURING THIS TIME THE TAILGATE WOULD PERSISTENTLY BEEP, TRYING TO OPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11383243
16,542 miles · Dec 11, 2020
Electrical System
ON 4 OCCASSIONS THE LIFTGATE OF THIS SUV WAS LEFT UP FOR 45 MINUTES TO 1.5 HOURS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND STATIONARY. ON EACH TIME THE BATTERY DISCHARGED TO A POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. FORTUNATELY WE HAD CELL SERVICE AND COULD SUMMOND HELP, BUT THIS COULD OCCUR WHERE THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE AND LEAVE US COMPL…
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ON 4 OCCASSIONS THE LIFTGATE OF THIS SUV WAS LEFT UP FOR 45 MINUTES TO 1.5 HOURS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND STATIONARY. ON EACH TIME THE BATTERY DISCHARGED TO A POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. FORTUNATELY WE HAD CELL SERVICE AND COULD SUMMOND HELP, BUT THIS COULD OCCUR WHERE THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE AND LEAVE US COMPLETELY STRANDED. AFTER THE FIRST 3 TIMNES WHICH HAPPENED IN RAPID SUCCESSION I TOOK THE SUBARU ASCENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY HAD A WEAK CELL AND THEY REPLACED IT WITHOUT CHARGE. THE REPAIR INVOICE IS ATTACHED. BUT THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT LEAVING THE LIFTGATE UP MORE THAN 30 MINUTES WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM AND LEAVE ME STRANDED. THEN WHEN THE PROBLE OCCURRED AGAIN I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDELY-KNOWN DEFECT IN THE SUBARU ASCENT AND OTHER SUBARU MODELS THAT HAS STRANDED THOUSANDS OF OWNERS. OWNERS TAKE THEIR SUVS ON CAMPING OR FISHING TRIPS AND TAILGATING AT EVENTS WHERE THEY LEAVE THE LIFTGATE UP WITHOUT REALIZING THE CAR IS UNLIKELY TO START WHEN THEY WANT TO LEAVE. BUT SUBARU IS REFUSING TO CONSIDER A FIX AND RECALL THESE SUVS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS DEFECT OR PROBLEM. MANY OWNERS ARE SPENDING $250 OR MORE FOR AFTER-MARKET BATTERIES THAT ARE MUCH STRONGER THAN THE WEAK BATTERIES THAT SUBARU PROVIDES. WHILE THIS DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND SUCH OWNERS CAN STILL BE STRANDED, AT LEAST WITH A STRONGER BATTERY THE CHANCES IT WILL START ARE MUCH BETTER. SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN NEW JERSEY AGAINST SUBARU OVER THIS ISSUE, BUT THAT WILL ONLY REWARD THE ATTORNEYS INVOLVED WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND PROBABLY NET ME $20 IN 5 YEARS. PLEASE CONSIDER FORCING SUBARU TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL AND FIX ALL SUBARU ASCENTS STILL ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11382982
10,500 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A DEAD BATTERY ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR INCLUDING THIS MORNING (12/04/2020), AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD, AND ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11377933
20,000 miles · Dec 3, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START AT ONE YEAR OLD, DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY BATTERY 11/2019; ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER AT MD OFFICE WOULD NOT START AND LIGHTS FLICKERED AND NO CONTROL, WOULD NOT START AGAIN! ; NOW SITTING IN PARKING LOT WAITING TOW; BELIEVE FAULT IS RELATED TO BATTERY DRAIN IN ONE YEAR AND ELECTRICAL DRAIN; LEFT STR…
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CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START AT ONE YEAR OLD, DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY BATTERY 11/2019; ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER AT MD OFFICE WOULD NOT START AND LIGHTS FLICKERED AND NO CONTROL, WOULD NOT START AGAIN! ; NOW SITTING IN PARKING LOT WAITING TOW; BELIEVE FAULT IS RELATED TO BATTERY DRAIN IN ONE YEAR AND ELECTRICAL DRAIN; LEFT STRANDED WITH TWO KIDS GETTING COVID TESTED WITH A BRAND NEW 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 20,000 MILES ONLY!!!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #11377799
19,000 miles · Nov 29, 2020
Electrical System
WE BOUGHT A USED 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING (CA. 18,000 MILES) IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. SINCE THEN, THIS NEW BATTERY HAS DIED FIVE TIMES ON US, THE FIRST TIME ON SEPTEMBER 4 2020 AND MOST RECENTLY ON NOVEMBER 28. IT HAS ALWAYS DIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER IT DIE…
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WE BOUGHT A USED 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING (CA. 18,000 MILES) IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. SINCE THEN, THIS NEW BATTERY HAS DIED FIVE TIMES ON US, THE FIRST TIME ON SEPTEMBER 4 2020 AND MOST RECENTLY ON NOVEMBER 28. IT HAS ALWAYS DIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER IT DIED THE THIRD TIME ON NOVEMBER 22, WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY HELD THE CAR FOR TWO NIGHTS AND WERE UNABLE FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11376941
18,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY DRAINS AND UNEXPECTEDLY. HAPPENED TWICE WHILE LIFTGATE WAS UP; HAPPED 3X FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON.
NHTSA ODI #11376232
9,119 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical System
AT 9119 MILES ON MY VEHICLE I HAD TO CONTINUALLY JUMP START THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AT 680 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11373068
680 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical System
AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND UNDER 680 MILES I HAD TO CONTINUALLY JUMP START THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYNC ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES IN THE NEW ASCENT. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE SYNC ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11373067
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2020
Electrical System
BATTERY DIES REGULARLY - DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY THREE TIMES ALREADY. NO LIGHTS ARE ON, NO CLEAR REASON WHY THE BATTERY SLOWLY AND CONSISTENTLY DRAINS OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT CHILD AND PET HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED IN REMOTE LOCATIONS. ALSO, WITH ELECTRICAL PARKING BRAKE, IT CAN'T BE…
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BATTERY DIES REGULARLY - DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY THREE TIMES ALREADY. NO LIGHTS ARE ON, NO CLEAR REASON WHY THE BATTERY SLOWLY AND CONSISTENTLY DRAINS OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT CHILD AND PET HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED IN REMOTE LOCATIONS. ALSO, WITH ELECTRICAL PARKING BRAKE, IT CAN'T BE RELEASED FOR TOWING WHEN THE BATTERY DIES. STRANDED IN THE WOODS WITH A KID TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND NO MEANS OF JUMPING IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11372833
7,000 miles · Oct 30, 2020
Electrical System
I HAVE ABOUT 7000 MILES AND MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DIEING AND NEEDING A JUMP START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN APRIL AND NO ISSUES WERE REPORTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED 2 DAYS BACK AND AGAIN I HAD TO JUMPSTART AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES. BUT THE CAR WOULD AGAIN NOT START 30 MINUTES LATER AND NEEDED YET ANOT…
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I HAVE ABOUT 7000 MILES AND MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DIEING AND NEEDING A JUMP START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN APRIL AND NO ISSUES WERE REPORTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED 2 DAYS BACK AND AGAIN I HAD TO JUMPSTART AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES. BUT THE CAR WOULD AGAIN NOT START 30 MINUTES LATER AND NEEDED YET ANOTHER JUMP START. I HAVE A FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND THE BATTERY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN MANY SUBARUS AS ASSESSED BY ONLINE FORUMS.
NHTSA ODI #11372355
Official recalls
9Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
Apr 16, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.
Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Jul 10, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.
Aug 2, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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