Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Subaru Ascent. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Subaru Ascent,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2019–2025 with 17 recall campaigns and 1199 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2019 (8), 2020 (4), and 2023 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2019 (537), 2020 (371), and 2021 (118).
Top recall themes: Powertrain, Fuel and emissions, and Steering and suspension.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Power train.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Powertrain
4 campaigns · Years: 2019–2020, 2023
These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Subaru Ascent in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Power train.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2025
0
7
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior, Visibility/wiper, Lane departure: blind spot detection.
2024
0
51
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior, Visibility/wiper, Wheels.
2023
3
51
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance: warnings.
2022
1
64
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper.
2021
1
118
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Lane departure: assist.
2020
4
371
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Power train.
2019
8
537
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Visibility/wiper.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Power train
, Electrical system
and Fuel system
Show recall evidence by year
2023
Tires:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
Suspension: Lower arm:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Power train: Driveshaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
2022
Electrical system: Interior/under dash:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components
2021
Electrical system: Interior/under dash:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components
2020
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Steering: Tie rod assembly:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive to
Power train: Chain/belt:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Electrical system: Interior/under dash:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components
2019
Structure: Roof and pillars:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
Power train: Driveshaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
Power train: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Engine and engine cooling: Crankcase (pcv):
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Power train: Chain/belt:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Electrical system: Interior/under dash:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components
Other Subaru Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Subaru models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
