Every 2020 Subaru Ascent recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Equipment · NHTSA 26V436000
Jul 7, 2026Equipment:Other:Labels
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 26V436000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 22V907000
Aug 12, 2022Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashPark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V907000 →Steering · NHTSA 21V954000
Sep 12, 2021Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V954000 →Power Train · NHTSA 21V955000
Sep 12, 2021Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V955000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 21V587000
Jul 29, 2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V587000 →
2020 Subaru Ascent complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent, reporting 6 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries. Subaru has issued at least 530 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System101
- Power Train58
- Unknown Or Other56
- Visibility/Wiper49
- Engine29
- Service Brakes26
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (293)
- Equipment (169)
- Power Train (78)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (42)
- Unknown Or Other (41)
- Engine (37)
Read Subaru Ascent owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“I am reporting a repeat safety concern involving a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The vehicle was involved in two separate collisions after failing to decelerate as expected following normal brake pedal application. The first incident occurred on January 26, 2026.”
2020 SUBARU ASCENTMay 29, 2026 · FL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11740848
Crash
“On Friday evening, February 23, 2024 , I pulled onto my driveway and came to a complete stop before driving into the garage . I reached up and hit the garage door remote. When the door began to go up I took my foot off the brake.”
2020 SUBARU ASCENTFeb 26, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11574100
Fire
“Reporting a serious incident with my 2020 Subaru Ascent at 21k miles. On October 16th, a burning plastic smell and white smoke from the floorboard forced an immediate stop; I had to call the fire department for safety.”
2020 SUBARU ASCENTNov 1, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11552981
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact's wife owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stopped in traffic when a semi-trailer collided with another vehicle, causing that vehicle to crash into the front end of her vehicle.”
2020 SUBARU ASCENTAug 19, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11480135
Injury reportedCrash
“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT 11/29 AT 9:45PM WHERE I HIT A COW. I WAS DRIVING 55 ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY THAT I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH. THE COW WAS STANDING IN THE ENTIRE LANE OF TRAVEL AND I WAS ABLE TO VEER INTO THE OTHER LANE SLIGHTLY AND TOOK THE IMPACT ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHERE I DID NOT HAVE ANY PASSENGERS.”
2020 SUBARU ASCENTDec 11, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11383041
Check your Ascent by VIN
Not every 2020 Subaru Ascent is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Subaru dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →