AI Damage2024 Subaru Ascent: common problems
Owners of the 2024 Subaru Ascent filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. The maker issued 229 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 51
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 229
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 61% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 4% of all complaints
- Visibility: 31 complaints (61% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 135.
- Forward collision avoidance: 4 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Steering: 3 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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
- CVT
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 51 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 31 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 135 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 22 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 44 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
When driving below 5 mph—forward or reverse—with the rear passenger door fully open, the only alert is a small “door ajar” icon on the dash. This icon is the same drawing, whether the door is completely open or semi-latched, so the driver has no way to know the extent of the hazard.
Radio freezing and then resuming at blaring volume, I was told that this was a known issue and Subaru was waiting for an update. Burning smell from car when purchased, notified dealer, smell did not go away. I was told that this was normal.
SAFETY RISK: Front tires worn to cords on inside edge, degrading traction and increasing blowout risk at highway speeds with family inside. America's Tire officially deemed vehicle unsafe. CONFIRMATION: Confirmed in writing by America's Tire (Store 1063, Order [phone]) on 10/16/2026.
There were no dashboard warning lights on before, during, or after the incident. This startled me while I was actively driving and could have caused a loss of vehicle control, particularly if it had occurred at higher speed or in traffic.
The vehicles were purchased approximately one month apart and are operated under similar New England driving conditions. Both vehicles were equipped with identical factory-installed Falken tires.
While pulling up to a drive thru window the vehicle shuddered and the engine shut off. I lost all power steering and had to come to a stop, shift into park, then restart the engine. No check engine lights or warnings illuminated. There were no status messages to indicate what caused it to shut off.
The minute I got on the freeway after leaving the dealership the night I leased the vehicle, I noticed the drivers side mirror heavily vibrated and I remember thinking how strange it was to have the headlights from the cars behind me look so shaky in the mirror.
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 871 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 41% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascent has 130 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 51, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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 announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass…
This bulletin announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass vibrating at highway speeds.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly
NHTSA lists 229 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 2024 Subaru Ascent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 51. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (63%), warning lights, check engine (8%), infotainment or screen glitches (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2024 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA lists 229 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 2024 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 2024 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.