Subaru Ascent Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Ascent model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (102) and the 2019 the most (441).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
3 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
15 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2023 | 45 | 4 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
50 | 1 | Visibility | 5★ | 21–22 |
| 2022 | 55 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
102 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
322 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
441 | 9 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Ascent years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Subaru Ascent: 441 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 160 (36%); Power train 88 (20%); Visibility/wiper 66 (15%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Subaru Ascent: 322 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 101 (31%); Power train 58 (18%); Visibility/wiper 49 (15%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,200 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Subaru Ascent: 102 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 19 (19%); Electrical system 18 (18%); Lane departure 15 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 3,187 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru Ascent years with the fewest complaints
2021 Subaru Ascent: 102 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 19 (19%); Electrical system 18 (18%); Lane departure 15 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 3,187 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Subaru Ascent: 322 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 101 (31%); Power train 58 (18%); Visibility/wiper 49 (15%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,200 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Subaru Ascent: 441 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 160 (36%); Power train 88 (20%); Visibility/wiper 66 (15%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Ascent owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 55 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 102 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3,187 |
| 2020 | 322 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6,200 |
| 2019 | 441 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 12,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Ascent recalls
- Incorrect Weight Rating on Label/FMVSS 110 (2019–2026 model years; 541,237 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2026; 26V436000)
- Improperly Fastened Ground Bolts May Cause Fire (2019–2022 model years; 271,694 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2022; 22V907000)
- Drive Chain May Break Causing Loss of Drive Power (2019–2020 model years; 198,255 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2021; 21V955000)
- Fuel Pump May Become Inoperative/Engine Stall (2019 model year; 188,207 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2020; 20V218000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2019–2020 model years; 175,968 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2021; 21V587000)
All 13 Subaru Ascent recall campaigns · Subaru Ascent problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Ascent years FAQ
Which Subaru Ascent year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (102). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Ascent years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2020 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Ascent problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (292 of 1,033 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Ascent have?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Ascent. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Ascent recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.