IllustrationTHIS STARTED WITH ONLY 6K MILES ON 2019 ASCENT, THE BRAKES RIDE EXTREMELY ROUGH. BRAKING DOES ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE. THIS MAKES BRAKING, GIVE THE CAR A BUMPY RIDE AS IT DECELERATES AND THE DRIVER AN UNEASY FEELING.
2019 Subaru Ascent
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Ascent years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ascent years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsI PURCHASED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2018 FOR 2019 MODEL. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ONLY LASTS SLIGHTLY OVER ONE YEAR. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT BATTERY OF A NEW VEHICLE NORMALLY LASTS FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. BATTERY RAN OUT IN LESS THAN 14 MONTHS IS VERY WEIRD AS I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN AROUND 2,500 MILES ONLY. I AM STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE…
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I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2018 FOR 2019 MODEL. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ONLY LASTS SLIGHTLY OVER ONE YEAR. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT BATTERY OF A NEW VEHICLE NORMALLY LASTS FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. BATTERY RAN OUT IN LESS THAN 14 MONTHS IS VERY WEIRD AS I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN AROUND 2,500 MILES ONLY. I AM STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE BATTERY IS DEFECTIVE.
DRIVING NORMAL, 30 MPH ON A FLAT ROAD, WHEN ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP. RAB, BREAK, CHECK ENGINE, EVERY SINGLE DASH LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. WE THEN LOST POWER STEERING, AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER COULDN'T GET THE CAR INTO PARK. EVENTUALLY AFTER FIGHTING WITH IT, CAR WENT INTO PARK. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, AND IT DID RE-START BUT WITH…
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DRIVING NORMAL, 30 MPH ON A FLAT ROAD, WHEN ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP. RAB, BREAK, CHECK ENGINE, EVERY SINGLE DASH LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. WE THEN LOST POWER STEERING, AND WHEN WE PULLED OVER COULDN'T GET THE CAR INTO PARK. EVENTUALLY AFTER FIGHTING WITH IT, CAR WENT INTO PARK. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, AND IT DID RE-START BUT WITH THE SAME LIGHTS ON THE DASH. IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND HAD LOST POWER IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAR WAS TOWED. DEALER HAS HAD IT SINCE THEN, NOW 01/21/20 AND THEY KNOW IT'S ELECTRICAL, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE THEY DROVE IT, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
CAR WAS SHAKING WHILE IDLING/ SHIFTING HARD/ STUDDERING WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT AND NOT SHIFTING WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SLACK IN THE CVT BELT AND NOW HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. ALSO THE BATTERY DIED. NO DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN AND NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON. NO REASON TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY…
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CAR WAS SHAKING WHILE IDLING/ SHIFTING HARD/ STUDDERING WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT AND NOT SHIFTING WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SLACK IN THE CVT BELT AND NOW HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. ALSO THE BATTERY DIED. NO DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN AND NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON. NO REASON TO HAVE A DEAD BATTERY OTHER THAN A LARGE PARASITIC DRAIN WHILE THE CAR IS OFF.
FRESH FUEL SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE (ENTERING THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PARKING). UPON ARRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, THE SMELL WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I WENT A STEP FURTHER AND PULLED THE OIL DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE LEVEL AND TO SEE IF THAT'S WHERE IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM. SURE ENOUGH, THAT IS WHERE I AM SMELLING IT. I WENT SO FAR …
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FRESH FUEL SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE (ENTERING THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PARKING). UPON ARRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, THE SMELL WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I WENT A STEP FURTHER AND PULLED THE OIL DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE LEVEL AND TO SEE IF THAT'S WHERE IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM. SURE ENOUGH, THAT IS WHERE I AM SMELLING IT. I WENT SO FAR AS TO WIPE OFF THE DIPSTICK AND CHECK ONCE AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. I ALSO NOTED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS WELL ABOVE THE HIGH MARK. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE RISK FOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE GIVEN THAT IT APPEARS THAT FUEL IS MIXING IN WITH THE OIL.
IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS, THE ASCENT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO OBJECTS IN VIEW OF THE CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATED FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP, THINKING THE FOG WAS AN OBJECT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE CAN STOP AT ANYTIME, I…
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IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS, THE ASCENT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO OBJECTS IN VIEW OF THE CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM INITIATED FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH TO A COMPLETE STOP, THINKING THE FOG WAS AN OBJECT. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE CAN STOP AT ANYTIME, IN THE FOG. IF THERE WAS TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM, WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU DIRECTLY NEXT. MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 8,500.
I WAS REAR-ENDED REALLY BAD AT 35+ SPEED OF RESPONSIBLE PARTY, WHILE I WAS AT FULL STOP. IMPACT TOTALED MY VEHICLE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HIT A STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FOREHEAD AND SUFFERED ONLY A CONCUSSION, LUCKILY.
WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE OCTOBER 2019, BRAND NEW ORDER. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE QUESTIONED SEVERAL DEALERS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS PLACEMENT. WHEN YOU DRIVE ON NON LIT ROADS YOU CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 6 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. ANYONE WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AN ANIMAL, BROKEN DOWN VEHICLE, THE…
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WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE OCTOBER 2019, BRAND NEW ORDER. EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE QUESTIONED SEVERAL DEALERS REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS PLACEMENT. WHEN YOU DRIVE ON NON LIT ROADS YOU CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 6 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. ANYONE WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AN ANIMAL, BROKEN DOWN VEHICLE, THE STREET YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO TURN ON; YOU DO NOT SEE UNTIL YOU ARE RIGHT ON TOP OF THE OBJECT. WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT IS AHEAD OF US. THE LOW BEAMS ENGAGED SEEM TO HAVE A WALL ABOUT 6 FEET OUT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE BEYOND THAT AREA. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED PROPERLY AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN OR WILL DO ABOUT IT. WHEN DRIVING IN A LIGHTED AREA IT IS NOT AS BAD; WHEN DRIVING DOWN BACK UNLIT ROADS WITH TRAFFIC COMING AT YOU OR TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF YOU THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TERRIBLE. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH VERY LITTLE STREET LIGHTING AND I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HITTING SOMETHING BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT DO NOT ILLUMINATE ENOUGH TO SEE OBJECTS IN THE ROAD. WE ASKED OUR SALES PERSON ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND HE WENT OUT AND TESTED OUR CONCERN, HE TOLD US TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR ITS FIRST INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE ASKED AT THE NEXT DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I AM AT A LOSS ON HOW TO CORRECT THIS.
IN LOW SPEED WHEN WANTING INCREASE SPEED, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER AND BRIEFLY SPUTTERS AND THEN RECOVERS AND ACCELERATES. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN GOING UP HILL AND FROM SLOW, RIGHT TURNS. USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT CAN QUICKLY ACCELERATE.
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED W/OUT USUAL SOUND OR SIGN OF DEBRIS. DEALER SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED & ALL SYSTEMS RECALIBRATED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 1 MILLION MILES & HAVE NEVER SEEN A CRACK W/ NO DEBRIS OR IF ANY, SO SMALL IT MADE NO IMPACT. JUST A CRACK APPEARED LIKE IT WAS PRESSURE ON THE G…
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CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED W/OUT USUAL SOUND OR SIGN OF DEBRIS. DEALER SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED & ALL SYSTEMS RECALIBRATED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 1 MILLION MILES & HAVE NEVER SEEN A CRACK W/ NO DEBRIS OR IF ANY, SO SMALL IT MADE NO IMPACT. JUST A CRACK APPEARED LIKE IT WAS PRESSURE ON THE GLASS CAUSING THE CRACK.
Official recalls
926V436000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jul 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.
22V907000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
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.
21V955000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:driveline:chain/belt
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.
21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
20V218000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
19V855000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
19V856000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
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.
19V519000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
18V508000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.