NHTSA lists 322 complaints for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 6 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 4 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SUBARU ASCENT.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 108 | 33.5% | 0.96 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 94 | 29.2% | 0.70 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 45 | 14.0% | 0.52 |
|---|
| loss of control | 21 | 6.5% | 0.81 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 13 | 4.0% | 0.78 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 13 | 4.0% | 0.80 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 11 | 3.4% | 0.67 |
|---|
| unclear | 10 | 3.1% | 0.98 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 6 | 1.9% | 0.97 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 1 | 0.3% | 0.91 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 168 | 52.2% | 0.77 |
|---|
| moderate | 145 | 45.0% | 0.83 |
|---|
| high | 6 | 1.9% | 0.88 |
|---|
| none | 2 | 0.6% | 0.78 |
|---|
| critical | 1 | 0.3% | 0.55 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 322 tagged complaints of 322 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2026-07-07. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2022-12-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. (excerpt)
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 gr (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.
Date: 2021-12-09. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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-8 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2021-12-09. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: 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: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2021-07-29. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Defect: 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: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
530 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 293 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 169 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 78 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 42 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 41 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 37 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 26 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 20 |
|---|
11037943
Date: 2026-10-05. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
11037945
Date: 2026-09-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that occurs in a small number of unique cases.
11037946
Date: 2026-09-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.
This Bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
11037942
Date: 2026-09-28. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
11037940
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
11037930
Date: 2026-09-15. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
11037927
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11037928
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the infotainment audio system
11037929
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11037925
Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides additional examples, diagnostics tips and installation tips as helpful aids to be used when working with sunroof seals and sunroof frame assemblies on Ascent models. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.