What Subaru Ascent owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Subaru Ascent safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 |
| 2025 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 110 |
| 2024 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 218 |
| 2023 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 283 |
| 2022 | 55 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 308 |
| 2021 | 102 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 373 |
| 2020 | 322 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 519 |
| 2019 | 441 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 627 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Subaru Ascent complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
What failed: The rear seat belt (belt, buckle, and/or retractor) in the right rear seat of a 2026 Subaru Ascent, VIN [XXX]. It was securing a rear-facing child car seat carrying my [XXX] grandson. The vehicle was a loaner from [dealer name] and was returned to the dealer on [return date]. It is available for inspection through the dealer, and I have asked them in writing to preserve the belt assembly. How safety was put at risk: On XXX, after about 40 minutes of stop-and-go traffic on [XXX] in [XXX], we stopped on a closed exit ramp. My grandson began screaming. The seat belt securing his car seat had come loose, and the car seat had tipped forward. He was upside down with his face wedged u…
The contact owns a 2026 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and independently came to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.
The contact owned a 2025 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking spot with a foot on the brake pedal, the engine suddenly revved loudly and unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle crashed into a pole head-on and came to a stop. The vehicle was towed from the scene and was deemed a total loss. The contact sustained cuts on the hands, a sore back, a brain bleed, and body soreness. Medical attention was sought. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Ziex ZE001 A/S, Tire Size: 245/50/R20 102H, DOT Number: [XXX] Contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the front wheels turned outward, the contact became aware that there was severe inner-edge tire wear with missing rubber on the inner sidewall of the front tires. The contact stated the vehicle was rarely driven and had low mileage. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V436000 (Equipment); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 14,000. INFORMATION …
After replacing tires I started hearing noises from rear wheel. I searched online and it appears there is an issue with wheel bearings on several Subaru models (see YOUTUBE video by FIXBOOK dated July 12, 2026). The issue was confirmed by my Subaru dealer on 9/10/2026. Subary wheel bearings prior to 2026 were subject to poor design resulting in premature corrosion, complete failure and possible separation from the under carriage. New Subaru wheel bearing was redesigned in 2026 (part 28473XC00E), but Subaru never recalled the defective wheel bearings in Tribeca, WRX, Forester, Ascent, Outback models sold prior to 2026?
2024 Subaru Ascent â Intermittent Electrical / Ignition-Control Malfunction Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Ascent Mileage: Approximately 29,000 miles Chronology of Events August 19 Vehicle had been operating normally. First occurrence â grocery store â¢Returned to vehicle after shopping. â¢Opened rear hatch, loaded groceries and closed hatch. â¢Driver's door would not unlock using the key fob or by touching the keyless-access door handle. â¢Reopened and closed rear hatch to determine whether this would reset the condition. Driver's door still would not unlock. â¢Passenger door could be opened. â¢Used the interior passenger-door lock/unlock switch, which successfully unlocked the driver's doo…
Subaru of America has a Bulletin out that changes the front suspension arms for both front ends. The dealership made this correction and now the front end rattles like there are loose parts. Dealership says they donât hear it. Wonât investigate more unless I pay them a diagnostic fee. If Subaru of America knows this vehicle has a faulty part that causes the calipers to clamp down too hard thus warping the rotors! Dealership & SOA need to advertise this Bulletin as a recall.
Subaru has a known problem/design with their LED daytime running lamps on the Ascent model. Dealerships are seeing a high failure rate of these LED lights, and it is always with the left side headlamp assembly. The LED strip quits working. In my case my car has about 42,000 miles on it with estimated 1,500 hours of operation. LED lights are designed to last a minimum of 30,000 and up to 100,000 hours. I see these models all the time with their left daytime lamps out. These lamps are provided for safety reasons and to bring visibility to other drivers. Even Subaru dealer's state that this is a known problem and always the left headlight assembly. FYI, the whole assembly needs to be re…
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0014, P0024, P0128, P2109. If any of the DTCs listed above are found to be stored in the ECM, follow the procedures outlined in the bulletin. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a non-compliance recall for certain 2026 model year Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles, 2025-2026 model year Forester & Forester Hybrid vehicles, and 2019- 2026 Ascent vehicles due to incorrect information listed on the certification label. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
This bulletin announces a reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
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.)
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2019–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, power train, unknown or other. 1,033 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
