Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1920–25K
3425–50K
1050–75K
175–100K
2100–150K
0150K+
239 reports with mileage · 202 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 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
441 reports
13,000 miles · May 26, 2020
Electrical System
ON OT ABOUT OCTOBER 6TH OF 2019, VEHICLE(WHITE 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING) WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE DAY PRIOR. IT FAILED TO START PRIOR TO A CRITICAL PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY APPOINTMENT. SUBARU SENT A MECHANIC TO JUMPSTART THE CAR AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE APT WAS MISSED DUE TO THE DELAY. ON OR ABOUT M…
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ON OT ABOUT OCTOBER 6TH OF 2019, VEHICLE(WHITE 2019 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING) WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE DAY PRIOR. IT FAILED TO START PRIOR TO A CRITICAL PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY APPOINTMENT. SUBARU SENT A MECHANIC TO JUMPSTART THE CAR AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE APT WAS MISSED DUE TO THE DELAY. ON OR ABOUT MID-MAY OF 2020 THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. ATTEMPTS TO CHARGE THE BATTERY DID NOT WORK. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE RETURNED AGAIN AND JUMP STARTED THE CAR. IT WAS LEFT TO RUN FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326015
10,000 miles · May 25, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY SUBARU ASCENT CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES WITHOUT ANYTHING STRIKING THEM. PLEASE SEE PICTURES ATTACHED TO SEE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I CAME OUT THERE WAS A CRACK ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF EACH OTHER.
NHTSA ODI #11325873
24,000 miles · May 23, 2020
Electrical System
DEAD BATTERY FOR NO REASON. UNABLE TO JUMP START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325642
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2020
Electrical System
THE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE WHEN THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN FOR A WHILE THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED ON THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIFT GATE TO OPEN WAS THE UNHOOK THE BATTERY THEN AFTER THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OVER WITH WHILE THE BATTERY COMPLETELY D…
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THE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE WHEN THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN FOR A WHILE THE BATTERY DIED BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED ON THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIFT GATE TO OPEN WAS THE UNHOOK THE BATTERY THEN AFTER THE LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OVER WITH WHILE THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED THEN FROM THEN ON THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO NOT BE FULLY CHARGED WHEN TO SUBARU THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE REP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323543
15,000 miles · May 3, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR EVEN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME (5 MINUTES) THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WILL START TO SMELL LIKE FUMES (EXHAUST TYPE SMELL). THIS HAPPENS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT (PARKING LOT, OUR DRIVEWAY, RURAL AREA) WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND STILL RUNNING. RARELY HAVE I SMELLED THE FUMES UPON STARTING THE CAR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENE…
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WHEN THE CAR IDLES FOR EVEN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME (5 MINUTES) THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WILL START TO SMELL LIKE FUMES (EXHAUST TYPE SMELL). THIS HAPPENS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT (PARKING LOT, OUR DRIVEWAY, RURAL AREA) WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND STILL RUNNING. RARELY HAVE I SMELLED THE FUMES UPON STARTING THE CAR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN EVERY SEASON AND WITH THE CAR BLOWING OUT WARM, NEUTRAL, AND AIR CONDITIONED AIR. THIS WAS NOTICED VERY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO DETECT THE SMELL BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM TO CORRECT. THE OTHER TWO TIMES THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO REPLICATE THE SMELL EVEN AFTER LEAVING IT ON FOR AN HOUR. I CAN ELICIT THE SMELL EVERY TIME IF I LET IT RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES WHILE PARKED. OTHERS APPEAR TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE AS WELL AND ARE BEING TOLD THE SAME THING BY THEIR DEALERSHIPS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS MY CHILDREN MAY BE AFFECTED WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11323121
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2020
Electrical SystemService Brakes
AT FREEWAY SPEED, THE BRAKE MAKES NOISE AND VIBRATE WHEN YOU PRESS THE PEDAL LIGHTLY TO REDUCE SPEED, THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN YOU GO DOWNHILL. BATTERY DRAINS WHEN PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, REAR GATE DOES NOT LOCK WHEN CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11321584
14,000 miles · Apr 13, 2020
Visibility/wiper
2019 SUBARU ASCENT WINDSHIELD CRACKS EASILY. SMALL ROCK ON FREE WAY HIT WINDSHIELD AND MADE A HUGE CRACK. 1ST CRACK WAS REPAIRED BY A PROFESSIONAL THROUGH INSURANCE COMPANY, 2ND CRACK HAPPENED TODAY 4/13/20.
NHTSA ODI #11321034
5,000 miles · Apr 7, 2020
Structure
THE HOOD OF THE CAR POPPED UP TWICE WHEN DRIVING INTO A HEAD WIND ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SUDDENLY POPS UP AN INCH OR TWO AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO OPEN. THIS HAPPENED ON OUR FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT IN - THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG - AND ADJUSTED THE BUMPERS. THE NEXT TRIP DRIVING 65 INTO A CROSS WIND IT POPPED…
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THE HOOD OF THE CAR POPPED UP TWICE WHEN DRIVING INTO A HEAD WIND ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SUDDENLY POPS UP AN INCH OR TWO AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO OPEN. THIS HAPPENED ON OUR FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK IT IN - THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG - AND ADJUSTED THE BUMPERS. THE NEXT TRIP DRIVING 65 INTO A CROSS WIND IT POPPED UP AGAIN. WE HAD TO STOP BOTH TIMES TO CLOSE THE HOOD AND WERE RELIEVED IT DID NOT COME ALL THE WAY UP. I WONDER IF THE LATCH IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE DESIGN TO HANDLE A STRONG WIND. *TR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW COMPLAINT STATING THAT THE LATCH DID NOT COME UNDONE. THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEXED UP AFETR BEING BLOWN BY STRONG WIND. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11320467
10 miles · Mar 31, 2020
Service Brakes
THE BRAKES SQUEAL, LIKE METAL TO METAL.THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS IT SEEMS I NEED MORE PRESSURE THAT BEFORE. I THINK MAY BE SAFETY …
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THE BRAKES SQUEAL, LIKE METAL TO METAL.THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE AT ABOUT 13,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS IT SEEMS I NEED MORE PRESSURE THAT BEFORE. I THINK MAY BE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11319884
4,000 miles · Mar 30, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WE ARE NOW ON OUR THIRD WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE - WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS! YEAR AGO WE USED TO LIVE DOWN THE ROAD FROM A GRAVEL PIT AND EXPERIENCED A LOT OF LOOSE GRAVEL FROM TRU…
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WE ARE NOW ON OUR THIRD WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE - WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS! YEAR AGO WE USED TO LIVE DOWN THE ROAD FROM A GRAVEL PIT AND EXPERIENCED A LOT OF LOOSE GRAVEL FROM TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES - AND NEVER SAW ANY CRACKED WINDSHIELDS. EVERY REPAIR IS ALMOST $1,000! WE REPLACED THE FIRST ONE ONLY TO HAVE THE NEW WINDSHIELD CRACK 2 WEEKS LATER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THIS IS OUR FIRST NEW CAR AND IT IS COSTING US MORE THAN ANY OF OUR USED CARS EVER HAS. SUBARU IS IGNORING US AS NONE OF MY EMAILS OR PHONES CALLS HAVE BEEN RETURNED.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2019 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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