What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2019 Subaru Ascent

Typical pattern

18.7% of complaints about the 2019 Subaru Ascent came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2019 vehicle — around the middle of the 191 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 2.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (160 complaints), typically at 2.3 yr or about 10,600 miles.

Complaints
556
Median age at failure
2.3 yr
Median mileage
12,548 n=301
Crash / fire / tow
5.2% of reports
Safety recalls
9 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
160 reports · 10,600 mi
2.3 yr
3.1%
Power train
87 reports · 18,000 mi
3.4 yr
4.6%
Visibility / wipers
64 reports · 14,000 mi
1.8 yr
0%
Other
59 reports · 15,000 mi
2.3 yr
3.4%
Engine
46 reports · 9,600 mi
2.4 yr
6.5%
Service brakes
25 reports · 7,600 mi
1.3 yr
8%
Fuel / propulsion
16 reports · 4,000 mi
1.6 yr
12.5%
Visibility
15 reports · 25,000 mi
3.2 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V907000 2022-12-08 Do not drive
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash

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.

A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.

26V436000 2026-07-07
Equipment:other:labels

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."

An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V955000 2021-12-09
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.

An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V587000 2021-07-29
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

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.

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V218000 2020-04-16
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

19V855000 2019-12-02
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

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.

19V856000 2019-12-02
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

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.

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

19V519000 2019-07-10
Power train:driveline:driveshaft

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.

If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.

18V508000 2018-08-02
Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Engine 2,417 mi 5 mo in service
I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE DASH- STARTED FLASHING AND EVERYTHING AT ONCE STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND THEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED ON ITS OWN. VERY SCARY WHILE IN TRAFFIC- I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR OVER 3 HOURS. DIALS: AT OIL TEMP FLASHES, ALL ELECTRONIC THINGS IS ALL OFF AND LIT. TRANSMISSION AND BRAKING ISSUES- ALL AT ONCE. CITY STREET BRADDOCK RD AND I PULLED OFF AT KINGS PARK SHOPPING CENTER IN FRONT OF WELLS FARGO AND CVS, STATIONARY.
Engine 1,500 mi 7 mo in service
RAW GAS SMELL WHEN VEHICLE IS AT IDLE OR AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A BIT AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE SMELL COMES THRU THE VENTS AND FILLS THE GARAGE AFTER I PARK THE VEHICLE. GAS MILEAGE IS ALSO BEING EFFECTED IT SEEMS, AND IS LOW.
Engine 12,000 mi 10 mo in service
WHEN HOLDING SPEED CONSTANT BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, OR UNDER VERY LIGHT ACCELERATION IN THIS RANGE, VEHICLE SEEMS TO JERK, SURGE, PULSE, OR SIMILAR. IT FEELS SIMILAR TO BEING IN THE CAR WITH SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
Visibility / wipers 800 mi 0 mo in service
I RECENTLY NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS OF GLARING SPECKS/DOTS WHEN FACING THE SUNLIGHT IN EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON. THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES SO BLURRY AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I FACE LIGHTS EVEN NIGHT TIMES WITH ONCOMING VEHICLES KINDA OF GLARE. I CLEANED WITH MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS NOT GOING AT ALL, ONE ANGLE CAN BE SEEN VERY GREY COLORED DOT. TOOK TO DEALER AND ALSO AGREED WITH THIS. NOT SURE WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS, BUT I WANT THIS NHTSA LOOK AT SERIOUSLY. MY CAR IS JUST ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND 2K MILES ON IT AS OF NOW.

Other Ascent model years

2024202120202019

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