AI Damage2022 Subaru Ascent: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Ascent filed 56 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and service brakes. The maker issued 316 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 56
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 316
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 11% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 9 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Visibility: 7 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Forward collision avoidance: 6 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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 2 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 56 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 | 14 | 0 | 42 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 9 | 1 | 35 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 9 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 182 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Despite hitting him squarely, and my front end bending, the airbags did not deploy
Air Bags did not deploy going at 32 MPH and during a head on front collision.
Upon impact there was heavy damage to my front end and smoke coming from my engine bay. Within minutes a fire started and only a couple minutes later the entire car was engulfed.
My foot was on the brake but the car did not stop nor did the forward collision feature work and the air bag did not deploy. The accident has been reported to both my insurance and the auto maker. The car will be inspected tomorrow.
Prior to diagnosis, I noticed a rattle/fluttering noise coming from the undercarriage during acceleration. The problem was confirmed by an authorized Subaru dealership.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, the speedometer was inoperable, and the transmission failed to shift into gear.
While driving, I can feel road vibration and impacts through the driver seat much more than normal, and the seat no longer feels properly cushioned or supported. I am concerned this affects the driver seating position, comfort, and ability to maintain proper control, and it creates a distraction while driving.
The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was slowly driven to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.
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 823 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascent has 130 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 56, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 316 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 2022 Subaru Ascent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, service brakes, engine. Total complaints: 56. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (13%), jerking, harsh shifts (11%), vibration (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA lists 316 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 2022 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 2022 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.