AI Damage2023 Subaru Ascent: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Subaru Ascent filed 45 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 290 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 45
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 290
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 16% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 11% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (22% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Forward collision avoidance: 7 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Visibility: 6 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Tires: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 172.
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 1 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 45 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 172 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 40 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 33 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 48 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
There was a SUDDEN and UNINTENDED acceleration without the driver input while braking to park going approximately 1 - 2 MPH. Our safety was at risk. The vehicle was not in our control. A police report was generated.
unknown defects in some vehicles that could cause sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input Yes, our safety was at risk. The vehicle was clearly not in our control. A police report was generated. The car plowed through the garage no control to brake The damages are being inspected by insurance.
The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V436000 (Equipment); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 14,000.
•Driver's door would not unlock using the key fob or by touching the keyless-access door handle. •Reopened and closed rear hatch to determine whether this would reset the condition. Driver's door still would not unlock. •Passenger door could be opened.
There are no warning lights, error messages, or other dashboard warnings related to either issue. However, both conditions are abnormal and affecting the vehicle’s operation and ownership experience. 1. Steering Noise (Inside Cabin). The steering assembly inside the cabin.
The vehicle exhibited transmission slippage but did not provide any warning lights or other symptoms . About 100 miles later, the Automatic Transmission Oil light came on (flashing YELLOW), and all other systems light up (both Yellow and Red) disabling front collision, auto vehicle hold, RAB, etc.
In 2024, 2025, and 2026, I have had 2 incidents in each year where the cruise control is set to 60 to 65 mph and the cruise control then accelerates the car past 100 mph. When this occurs, tapping the break does NOT disengage the cruise control.
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 918 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 44% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascent has 130 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 45, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
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.
- 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.
- Subaru of America, Inc
(Subaru) has initiated a non-compliance recall for certain 2026 model year Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles, 2025-2026 model year Forester & Forester Hybrid vehicles, and 2019- 2026 Ascent vehicles due to incorrect…
NHTSA lists 290 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, forward collision avoidance, visibility. Total complaints: 45. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), vibration (9%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA lists 290 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 2023 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 2023 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.