24.8% of complaints about the 2020 Subaru Ascent came in its first year of service — a higher share than 98% of the 178 2020 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is electrical system (100 complaints), typically at 1.5 yr or about 5,800 miles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
WE ARE ON OUR SECOND SUBARU ASCENT, FIRST ONE BOUGHT BACK FOR THE SAME ISSUE. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE CABIN WILL FILL WITH A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL (NOT EXHAUST). THE CAR WILL ALSO FILL WITH THE SMELL IF RUNNING WHILE PARKED, REMOTELY STARTED, ETC. THE SMELL IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF IT.
ODOMETER: 1,289 MILES VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, DROVE 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND CHECK COOLANT INDICATOR CAME ON. OPENED HOOD TO SMOKE AND SERPENTINE BELT HAD SHREDDED. COOLANT WAS SPRAYED ALL OVER UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT AND APPEARS BATTERY LIGHT AND OVERHEATING WAS CAUSED FROM BELT FAILURE.
THE AUDIO DIED TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ENTIRE CAR DYING COMPLETELY. WE CHARGED THE BATTERY, AND MOST OF THE CAR BEGAN WORKING EXCEPT FOR A FEW RANDOM ELECTRICAL AREAS. SEEMS TO BE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. I HAVE UNDER 10,000 MILES AND A DEAD BATTERY... HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC.
WE ARE ON OUR SECOND SUBARU ASCENT, FIRST ONE BOUGHT BACK FOR THE SAME ISSUE. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE CABIN WILL FILL WITH A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL (NOT EXHAUST). THE CAR WILL ALSO FILL WITH THE SMELL IF RUNNING WHILE PARKED, REMOTELY STARTED, ETC. THE SMELL IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF IT.