AI Damage2019 Subaru Ascent: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Ascent filed 443 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 537 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 443
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 537
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 36% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 160 complaints (36% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 290.
- Powertrain: 90 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 81.
- Visibility: 81 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Engine: 47 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Service brakes: 26 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
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
- CVTnamed in 21 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 443 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 | 160 | 0 | 290 |
| Powertrain | 90 | 2 | 81 |
| Visibility | 81 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine | 47 | 1 | 38 |
| Service brakes | 26 | 2 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 1 | 12 |
| Structure | 12 | 1 | 30 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 | 13 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 2 | 4 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
While driving 50mph on highway, the car jolted forward, consumer hit her head and was knocked unconcious.
Car was parked and had foot on brake when car suddenly lurched forward and hit a car in front. At first I thought that my foot had slipped off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal but after reviewing the incident later in the day, I do not believe that my foot slipped.
She shifted to park and pulled on the parking brake. Then, after 5 minutes with the car off, she drove home without incident and parked, although the car was severely damaged.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to insurance lot, where it was diagnosed with being totaled. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was not available. Consumer stated there was multiple failures.
Impact totaled my vehicle, but the airbag did not deploy. Subsequently, I hit a steering wheel with my forehead and suffered only a concussion, luckily.
All air bags immediately deployed and the front end began smoking profusely. Within minutes of getting out of the vehicle it burst into flames and the entire vehicle burned up. Concerned that these vehicles will burst into flames during a front end collision at high speeds.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 123 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascent has 130 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 443, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- 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 diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
- This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that…
This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that occurs in a small number of unique cases.
- 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…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
(SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the…
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
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.
- This bulletin provides additional examples, diagnostics tips and installation tips as helpful aids to be…
This bulletin provides additional examples, diagnostics tips and installation tips as helpful aids to be used when working with sunroof seals and sunroof frame assemblies on Ascent models. This is an revised version of…
- This announcement provides an update to the WRH-26 certification label recall
- This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top…
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.
NHTSA lists 537 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, visibility. Total complaints: 443. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (15%), warning lights, check engine (9%), won't start (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA lists 537 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Ascent from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
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.