AI Damage2021 Subaru Ascent: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent filed 103 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 380 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 103
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 380
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- 4 Lane departure 15% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 19 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 46.
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 214.
- Visibility: 18 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Lane departure: 15 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 12 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
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 12 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 103 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 19 | 0 | 46 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 214 |
| Visibility | 18 | 0 | 10 |
| Lane departure | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 36 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 16 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The driver was driving into a parking lot preparing to park, when the vehicle accelerated and started going forward at a higher speed. The vehicle struck a parked vehicle, then travelled across the parking lot, over curbs, a grass median, landscaping, and struck a rock building at a high rate of speed, causing a…
The air bags did not deploy. The contact's chest struck the steering wheel, resulting in a fractured sternum. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to the police impound lot, then to a body shop.
Prior to the incident the driver indicated the steering wheel felt wobbly and unstable. There were no injuries reported. The police was called to scene and the vehicle was towed away. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified.
In XXX, at about 36,000 miles, I discovered water leaking into the cabin through the panoramic moonroof during rain and brought it to Lynnes Subaru ([XXX]) immediately. Through repeat visits and recurrences, Lynnes failed to diagnose it, blaming clogged drains.
After my husband replaced the 12V battery in my 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring ($90,000, fully paid off), Apple CarPlay stopped connecting via USB entirely. Android Auto and Bluetooth continued working fine on the same phone, cable, and port, proving the defect was isolated to Subaru's CarPlay system, not my device.
My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission - per the [dealer] service tree.
Engine Oil Leak: The vehicle developed an active engine oil leak at 20,000 miles, posing a risk of fluid contacting hot exhaust/engine components under the hood or causing low oil levels during operation. Repair time more than 35 days due to parts not available. 2.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to stall, and the transmission failed to properly operate. The vehicle was pulled over to a nearby shop and was advised to take the vehicle back to the facility that performed the oil changes.
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 566 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascent has 130 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 103, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
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 380 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 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, visibility. Total complaints: 103. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (9%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (8%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA lists 380 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 2021 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 2021 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.