AI DamageSubaru Ascent: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Ascent across 8 model years: 1,037 owner complaints and 676 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 20% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 293 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,360.
- Visibility: 207 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Powertrain: 188 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 313.
- Engine: 104 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 258.
- Service brakes: 84 complaints (8% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 70.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2019–2027
- CVT 2019–2027named in 51 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,037 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 293 | 1 | 1,360 |
| Visibility | 207 | 0 | 52 |
| Powertrain | 188 | 2 | 313 |
| Engine | 104 | 4 | 258 |
| Service brakes | 84 | 6 | 70 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 48 | 13 | 28 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 38 | 3 | 62 |
| Structure | 33 | 1 | 113 |
| Lane departure | 27 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 23 | 1 | 13 |
| Suspension | 22 | 0 | 61 |
| Air bags | 21 | 14 | 18 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| Wheels | 14 | 0 | 16 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
This vehicle was reversing, detected an obstacle and instead of stopping, it accelerated uncontrollably and then caused me to travelthrough the front yard of my house. Even though the reverse automatic braking system detected the object the vehicle continued to accelerate.
At approximately mile point 142.4, the vehicle's onboard Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) suddenly and unexpectedly activated without any obstruction, hazard, or vehicle ahead.
During both incidents, there were no forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking interventions, or other alerts observed prior to impact. Following the second collision, the vehicle was inspected by an independent technician.
The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle as the contact's wife immediately pulled off to the side of the road. Due to the damaged cause by the impact of the deer, the contact's wife had difficulty exiting the vehicle.
class action 9[XXX]), which addresses defects in the Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist systems. Crucially, I was never notified of this class action or the associated defect by Subaru. I received no mail, email, or other communication alerting me to this safety risk or my eligibility for repair/reimbursement.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced…
- This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that…
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
- This bulletin provides additional examples, diagnostics tips and installation tips as helpful aids to be…
- This announcement provides an update to the WRH-26 certification label recall
- This bulletin announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.