2019 Subaru Ascent Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 159 4 fire

“I have a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited model with 96,xxx miles as of January 2025. In 2023, there was a safety recall for the PTC heater ground bolt sent first class mail for multiple year Ascent models. This recall was completed by local subaru dealership on 3/27/2023 stating "WRL 22 completed. Removed ground bolts and cleaned threads. Found no signs of heat damage. Removed and replaced bolts." Move forward to Saturday, [XXX]. I remote started vehicle from inside the house while on vacation in Bristol Tennesee. Car was running for roughly 5 minutes, when fire alarms inside the house starting goi…”
NHTSA complaint #11638826, 2025 · fire

“Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what I described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate.' In February, I took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because…”
NHTSA complaint #11583533, 2024 · fire

“WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 09:10 PM(25901 RIVERWOODS RD, METTAWA, IL 60045) NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE FIRE I-94 1 MILE SOUTH OF ROUTE 176(EXIT 16(/ROCKLAND ROAD). AFTER NO MORE THAN A MINUTE ON THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED SOME SMOKE AND PULLED IMMEDIATELY OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (AROUND 1.5-2.0 MILES FROM WORK) AND AROUND 5 MIN INTO DRIVE FROM DEPARTURE FROM ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE. WAS FORTUNATE THAT OFFICER M ZAWIEROWSKI WAS DRIVING BY AND ABLE TO ASSIST AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEN OFFICER STATED WENT BACK TO CAR NOTICED THAT CAR LOCKED U…”
NHTSA complaint #11388349, 2021 · fire

Power Train 85 2 crash

“2019 SUBARU ASCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-955. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO WAIT FOR THE 2ND RECALL NOTICE. WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ON HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD, CONSUMER HIT HER HEAD AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONCIOUS.”
NHTSA complaint #11503153, 2023 · crash

“Car was parked and had foot on brake when car suddenly lurched forward and hit a car in front. At first I thought that my foot had slipped off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal but after reviewing the incident later in the day, I do not believe that my foot slipped. Subaru issued a recall on my vehicle #21V955000 in December 2021 but never notified me directly and I did not learn about this defect until I took the car in for routine maintenance. Was not advised that this recall might be hazardous. It is now been 4 months and Subaru has yet to issue a fix. I am now thinking that what just…”
NHTSA complaint #11461864, 2022 · crash

“My 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited had a safety recall that was related to a CVT transmission issue. That safety recall was addressed by Sewell Subaru (Dallas, TX) in January of 2025. This past Wednesday, July 29, I was driving on a state highway on my way to work from my residence. Not even two miles away from my residence, I felt a jerk and a loud "thud". That was followed by loss of power in that the vehicle just was rolling, but no power from the gas. I was able to safely maneuver onto a the shoulder and stop the vehicle. Within minutes, I noticed a puddling of a large amount of fluid that I co…”
NHTSA complaint #11754594, 2026

Visibility/Wiper 66

“Subaru windshild in my 2019 Ascent have been replaced twice in 30,000 miles due to very inadequate glass. I'm struggling to get Subaru to acknowledge their responsibility to replace this current cracked windshield with a new part, as per my reading of a settlement that they should be following [XXX] ). They are currently trying to send me to a 3rd party repair business to do the repair, but supposedly they have fixed the part on more recent versions of the car. By comparison, I had a Toyota Highlander for 11 years and never once had to replace the windshield glass. Yes, it took a beating,…”
NHTSA complaint #11643538, 2025

“Yesterday I got in my vehicle first thing in the morning and there was a crack at the bottom of my windshield. I’m not parked anywhere near anything that could’ve caused a crack, so it appears to have just randomly cracked for no reason. This morning as I’m just sitting at the bus stop with my kid the crack got a little bigger.”
NHTSA complaint #11551291, 2023

“Sunroof glass broke. No apparent reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11533547, 2023

Unknown Or Other 58 2 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNED THAT THESE VEHICLES WILL BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGH SPEEDS.”
NHTSA complaint #11282852, 2019 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OFF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND FELT WIRED - THE BRAKE COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND FELT LIKE IT'S JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN SHE SWITCHED THE CAR TO PARKING! IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HIT A PARKED CAR BEHIND. BECAUSE THE SPEED WAS VERY LOW SO THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. BUT AFTER RESTARTED THE CAR, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON - RAB, EYE SIGHT, AT OIL TEMP, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, AND THE SUN ROOF AND SUN SHADE NOT WORKING.”
NHTSA complaint #11217153, 2019 · crash

“NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2019 Subaru Ascent VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 72,093 miles I am submitting this complaint because my 2019 Subaru Ascent experienced a serious transmission-related electrical failure that may represent a broader safety defect. Sewell Subaru of Dallas diagnosed an internal failure of a transmission pressure sensor. According to the dealership’s written report, the failed pressure sensor allowed transmission fluid to leak into the electrical wiring harness. The transmission fluid then migrated through the wiring and into the bulkhead harness. The dealership ad…”
NHTSA complaint #11754232, 2026

Engine 47 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 75 MPH, a deer ran across the highway and hit the left driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle as the contact's wife immediately pulled off to the side of the road. Due to the damaged cause by the impact of the deer, the contact's wife had difficulty exiting the vehicle. The contact's wife used excessive force to open a crack in the door, which was enough to slide herself out of the vehicle. The vehicle became e…”
NHTSA complaint #11726659, 2026 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what I described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate.' In February, I took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because…”
NHTSA complaint #11583533, 2024 · fire

“The Y pipe that connects the exhaust from the engine to the turbo charger, has cracks from poor welds. It happened 8-12 months ago we started to notice that during warm up our Ascent would sound real loud then quiet down once it warmed up. We didn’t know there was an issue as there were no lights that came on and we had no loss of power or MPG. The safety issue would be that we finally took the car in once we started to smell exhaust fumes coming from the car that we would start to smell from inside the car. We had to start to air out the car after warming up if we couldn’t immediately drive…”
NHTSA complaint #11631180, 2024

Service Brakes 26 2 crash

“My wife was pulling into a parking spot at a Safeway in Seattle. The car, instead of stopping, sped up when she stepped on the brakes, slamming into a brick wall. She shifted into reverse, and the car sped backwards, then shifted to drive, and sped forward and slammed into a wall again. She shifted to park and pulled on the parking brake. Then, after 5 minutes with the car off, she drove home without incident and parked, although the car was severely damaged.”
NHTSA complaint #11458223, 2022 · crash

“A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OFF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND FELT WIRED - THE BRAKE COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND FELT LIKE IT'S JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN SHE SWITCHED THE CAR TO PARKING! IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HIT A PARKED CAR BEHIND. BECAUSE THE SPEED WAS VERY LOW SO THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. BUT AFTER RESTARTED THE CAR, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON - RAB, EYE SIGHT, AT OIL TEMP, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, AND THE SUN ROOF AND SUN SHADE NOT WORKING.”
NHTSA complaint #11217153, 2019 · crash

“Replaced rear brakes and rotors in August 2025. By may 2026 they had worn down to the metal and needed replaced again. Only had 13000 miles on them. After multiple diagnostics testing was done, no issues were found with the brake system. Monitoring new pads and rotors. Still wearing rapidly but even. After only 6 weeks, they have reached about half of their life.”
NHTSA complaint #11747480, 2025

Fuel/Propulsion System 16 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNED THAT THESE VEHICLES WILL BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGH SPEEDS.”
NHTSA complaint #11282852, 2019 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“Over the course of 5 years, a lot has been mechanically wrong with our vehicle. Each service appointment yielded a 'cannot duplicate' response. Recently, my car has been in the service department a few times. My car had recall work performed on a ground bolt, and my husband advised them that the car had a 'rich fuel' smell when starting with the hood open. I've complained since 2021 of a smell when pulling up the mountain. The smell is what I described as a perm solution smell. Each time, the response was 'cannot duplicate.' In February, I took the car in to have the exhaust inspected because…”
NHTSA complaint #11583533, 2024 · fire

“On speeds of about 70+, both on cruise control and off, car jerks for about 5-10 seconds when accelerating on steep hills. It also happens after the car has been driving for more than 1hr or so. Fuel consumption is about 19-20mpg regardless of highway only driving contrary to advertised”
NHTSA complaint #11502524, 2022

Visibility 15

“The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, a crack was seen forming from above the rear-view mirror. The contact stated that there were no impacts to the windshield to cause the crack. The contact stated that the crack was expanding and extending down near the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11509406, 2023

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the front passenger’s and driver’s side doors were difficult to open due to large gaps in the doors caused by improper welding. The contact also stated that an abnormal line had formed on the moonroof without incident while the vehicle was stationary. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V508000 (Structure) which she linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the cause of the failure was due to human error. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11531770, 2022

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the front windshield was struck by a small pebble kicked up by another vehicle. The contact stated that the damage was a small crack and chip on the lower section in the middle of the windshield. The contact drove the vehicle to a glass repair shop to have the chip and crack repaired. The contact stated that repair was performed; however, the windshield had started to crack at the point of the repair. The contact was advised by the glass repair shop that the windshield needed to be replaced. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11485750, 2022

Forward Collision Avoidance 10 2 crash

“I leased a 2019 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ), which is equipped with the EyeSight driver-assist system. In the Spring of 2019, while driving in a parking lot at night with low visibility and snow, the vehicle struck a pole. Despite the imminent collision, the EyeSight system failed to engage Pre-Collision Braking or provide any audible/visual warning to alert me of the obstacle. The system did not disengage or indicate it was unavailable due to weather; it simply failed to function, resulting in a collision. Following this incident, I immediately contacted Subaru of America to report the failu…”
NHTSA complaint #11713281, 2019 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. WHILE DRIVING 14 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EYESIGHT PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, IT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,400.”
NHTSA complaint #11190303, 2019 · crash

“NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2019 Subaru Ascent VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 72,093 miles I am submitting this complaint because my 2019 Subaru Ascent experienced a serious transmission-related electrical failure that may represent a broader safety defect. Sewell Subaru of Dallas diagnosed an internal failure of a transmission pressure sensor. According to the dealership’s written report, the failed pressure sensor allowed transmission fluid to leak into the electrical wiring harness. The transmission fluid then migrated through the wiring and into the bulkhead harness. The dealership ad…”
NHTSA complaint #11754232, 2026

Structure 10 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF OUR CAR AND WE HIT IT WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRUSHING THE FRONT END. ALL AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY. WITHIN MINUTES OF GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BURNED UP. CONCERNED THAT THESE VEHICLES WILL BURST INTO FLAMES DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGH SPEEDS.”
NHTSA complaint #11282852, 2019 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 35MPH, the struts were impacted hard which caused the vehicle to shake the dashboard. No warning lights as illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they could not diagnose the failure and would not take apart the vehicle to inspect the strut. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but refused to let the dealer work on the vehicle but offered to give 6,000 dollars on the new vehicle because the vehicle was nonrepairable. The failure mileage was approximately 39,634.”
NHTSA complaint #11539164, 2022

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the front passenger’s and driver’s side doors were difficult to open due to large gaps in the doors caused by improper welding. The contact also stated that an abnormal line had formed on the moonroof without incident while the vehicle was stationary. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V508000 (Structure) which she linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the cause of the failure was due to human error. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11531770, 2022

Suspension 10

“My Ascent is primarily driven in the city of San Francisco, a fairly hilly city. We have had issues with the suspension on this vehicle in the past, and I will need to install my third pair of struts in the coming weeks (the parts are currently on backorder). The CVT has also been replaced on the vehicle. The tires are routinely rotated, and we keep up with the maintenance schedule. We were driving home after dropping our daughters at school and while accelerating up a hill heard a crack. We immediately pulled over, and saw that the lower control arm had sheared.”
NHTSA complaint #11625943, 2024

“There is a knocking or clunking noise at low speeds during and after turning in the front driver's side of the vehicle. Car has 17,500 miles on it. Assembled inspection suggests that tie rod (inner and outer), ball joint, stabilizer links are all intact and functioning properly. No loose components or fasteners. All bushings appear firm and intact. There is an apparent [XXX] ), though seemingly unreported issue with the front-end suspension system that dealerships and service techs can't seem to diagnose. At best, noises go away for a period of time then return. If it's an issue with a wear…”
NHTSA complaint #11608636, 2024

“The front suspension is making a clanking noise. Inspection of the front strut towers tops shows an interior separation of the rubber in the Strut bearing at 63k miles. There is also a noticeable difference between the left and right side relative to the components present. The space at the drivers side which is making the noise has a bigger separation in its components when the wheels are in a straight ahead position. The failure of this component can cause a catastrophic accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11583493, 2024

Air Bags 7 3 crash 1 fire 7 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND SOS EMERGENCY DID NOT WORK. 4 PERSONS WERE INJURED IN THE IMPACT WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INSURANCE LOT, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS MU…”
NHTSA complaint #11398525, 2021 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“I WAS REAR-ENDED REALLY BAD AT 35+ SPEED OF RESPONSIBLE PARTY, WHILE I WAS AT FULL STOP. IMPACT TOTALED MY VEHICLE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HIT A STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FOREHEAD AND SUFFERED ONLY A CONCUSSION, LUCKILY.”
NHTSA complaint #11298159, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 75 MPH, a deer ran across the highway and hit the left driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A grayish smoke began to emit from the vehicle as the contact's wife immediately pulled off to the side of the road. Due to the damaged cause by the impact of the deer, the contact's wife had difficulty exiting the vehicle. The contact's wife used excessive force to open a crack in the door, which was enough to slide herself out of the vehicle. The vehicle became e…”
NHTSA complaint #11726659, 2026 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

Exterior Lighting 7 1 fire

“WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 09:10 PM(25901 RIVERWOODS RD, METTAWA, IL 60045) NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE FIRE I-94 1 MILE SOUTH OF ROUTE 176(EXIT 16(/ROCKLAND ROAD). AFTER NO MORE THAN A MINUTE ON THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED SOME SMOKE AND PULLED IMMEDIATELY OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (AROUND 1.5-2.0 MILES FROM WORK) AND AROUND 5 MIN INTO DRIVE FROM DEPARTURE FROM ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE. WAS FORTUNATE THAT OFFICER M ZAWIEROWSKI WAS DRIVING BY AND ABLE TO ASSIST AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEN OFFICER STATED WENT BACK TO CAR NOTICED THAT CAR LOCKED U…”
NHTSA complaint #11388349, 2021 · fire

“The two map lights and the part referred to as the front overhead console has a defective design which at the least stops the lights from working properly, but at the worst, can start a fire. Subaru must be aware of the problem because it routinely change them. My vehicle listed above was ready for the installation of the third console when I said to myself, this one is not under warranty so let me call Subaru. They agreed to cover part of the cost- now we are sure that Subaru knows there is a fire hazard, didn’t report it, do a voluntary recall, or notify you. Am I eligible for money for whi…”
NHTSA complaint #11583846, 2023

“Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lights, LED, time out.”
NHTSA complaint #11444469, 2021

Steering 7

“My Subaru Ascent stopped dead while I accelerated to go on the interstate. All the idiot lights came on. The steering stopped working, the gas acceleration stopped working and my Subaru Ascent 2019 died in the middle of the interstate. I had to pay $150 for a tow to the nearest Subaru dealership, even though I was 65 miles from my home. It would have cost $450 to be towed to my local dealership. The dealership wouldn’t tell me if this was covered by warranty because they didn’t know. I was at about 65,000 miles and my original warranty had ended. In the end, Subaru replaced my transmission bu…”
NHTSA complaint #11482318, 2022

“steering wheel drifting to the right, wabbly, unstable car dealer AppleFord in MD) checked and stated on Saturday August 13, 2022 that no problem with car, i am still having this problem, called Subaru at 844-373-6614, talked to Alex and issue Case #220815-22645 i am not comfortable to drive this car with issue, please advise”
NHTSA complaint #11479329, 2022

“Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lights, LED, time out.”
NHTSA complaint #11444469, 2021

Vehicle Speed Control 5 1 crash

“My wife was pulling into a parking spot at a Safeway in Seattle. The car, instead of stopping, sped up when she stepped on the brakes, slamming into a brick wall. She shifted into reverse, and the car sped backwards, then shifted to drive, and sped forward and slammed into a wall again. She shifted to park and pulled on the parking brake. Then, after 5 minutes with the car off, she drove home without incident and parked, although the car was severely damaged.”
NHTSA complaint #11458223, 2022 · crash

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting from PARK to DRIVE, the RPM abruptly went up from 1,200 to 4,000. The contact shifted the vehicle into NEUTRAL to check if the accelerator pedal was stuck but found no obstruction to the pedal. The contact restarted the vehicle and slowly drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact called a local dealer but was unable to schedule a date to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware o…”
NHTSA complaint #11442028, 2021

“VEHICLE STARTED OFF WITH THE RADIO NOT SAVING CHANNELS. IT WOULD RESET THE RADIO EVERY FEW DAYS. A MESSAGE WOULD COME ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WOULD SAY THE CAR WILL BE RESTARTED IN A FEW HOURS. AND A LIGHT NOT WORKING. TOOK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS BATTERY. REPLACED. THEN GOT BACK. WITHIN WEEK OR SO. CAR HAD ALL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON DASHBOARD. STARTED JUMPING. EVEN DROVE BACKWARDS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. TOOK IN AND THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSION. WITHIN THE WEEK AFTER GETTING BACK, THE CAR WAS SKIPPING GEARS. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. THEN BACK IN FOR RADIO NOT SHUTTING OFF WHEN CAR OFF AND…”
NHTSA complaint #11388930, 2021

Wheels 4

“Front wheel bearing issue. Very luckily made it to trusted local shop. Mechanic said we are lucky wheel did not fall off. We wanted to drive to Subaru, he said we would not make the trip. No warning lights. Did not yet have inspected by Subaru, will do next service.”
NHTSA complaint #11543542, 2023

“My Subaru Ascent stopped dead while I accelerated to go on the interstate. All the idiot lights came on. The steering stopped working, the gas acceleration stopped working and my Subaru Ascent 2019 died in the middle of the interstate. I had to pay $150 for a tow to the nearest Subaru dealership, even though I was 65 miles from my home. It would have cost $450 to be towed to my local dealership. The dealership wouldn’t tell me if this was covered by warranty because they didn’t know. I was at about 65,000 miles and my original warranty had ended. In the end, Subaru replaced my transmission bu…”
NHTSA complaint #11482318, 2022

“I AS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. A 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE ' WARMING CAME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN WENT AWAY. A MINUTE LATER, MY CAR STARTED TO SWERVE AND WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO CROSS 3 LANES TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I FOUND A COMPLETELY DESTROYED LEFT REAR TIRE. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 1,800 MILES ON IT. I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11235330, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“MY NEW VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TURNS ON ALL WARNINGS AND DISABLED ALL SAFETY FEATURES TO INCLUDE COLLISION AND BLINDSIDE MONITORS. AS INDICATED BY MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS, THE PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED BY SUBARU TO BE RELATED TO A LOOSE TRANSMISSION HARNESS. SO FAR SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO INSPECT ALL 2019 AND 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. WE ARE SUPER SCARE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE IDEA THAT IT CAN STALL IN MID DRIVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11243045, 2019

“HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHICLE CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTROL. VEHICLE MOVED RELENTLESSLY SIDE TO SIDE MAKING A WHITE KNUCKLE EXPERIENCE. SIDE WINDOW LANE DEPARTURE LIGHTS WERE ALMOST ON CONSTANTLY. FELT LIKE THE WIND WAS LIFTING CAR FROM GROUND. HAD TO PULL INTO 2 REST STOPS AS STRESS OF TRYING TO CONTROL VEHICLE WAS UNPREDICTA…”
NHTSA complaint #11171634, 2018

Lane Departure 2

“STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE EYE SIGHT TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. TPMS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS OCCURED 2 TIMES BEFORE. THE FIX FOR THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WAS TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS.”
NHTSA complaint #11636557, 2025

“Upon starting the vehicle, the driver side mirror started smoking. Secured the vehicle and disconnected the battery. Removed the mirror assembly and notice the electrical wires powering the blind spot indicator of the mirror assembly was burned and melted. Picture of the damage was taken prior to removing the mirror assembly from the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11582940, 2024

Latches/Locks/Linkages 2

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the hood was flapping up and down. The contact was concerned that the hood might release and crash into the front windshield. The brake pedal was depressed but was slow to respond. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the interior lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer for routine maintenance, and the br…”
NHTSA complaint #11633719, 2023

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the front passenger’s and driver’s side doors were difficult to open due to large gaps in the doors caused by improper welding. The contact also stated that an abnormal line had formed on the moonroof without incident while the vehicle was stationary. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V508000 (Structure) which she linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the cause of the failure was due to human error. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11531770, 2022

Seat Belts 2

“I have reported to dealership in Edinburg Tx that the head lights dem at night. Dealership claims is normal for lights to dem. Now, the battery is dead. It won’t start. On 11-19 I arrived from Disney at the Airport only to experience that my 2029 Ascent didn’t start. I called road side assistance it it would take about an hour to come jumó start me. I went with a helper to get some cables and started my vehicle. I called the dealer and I was told to bring the Ascent until December 1. That’s the date that dealer could check my vehicle. I’m home and the and I can’t get an answer if my batter…”
NHTSA complaint #11441150, 2021

“In February 2020, my wife and I discovered fraying on the edge of the second row center seat belt on our 2019 Subaru Ascent. The belt was stuck in the connected position and would not retract into the ceiling retracting apparatus. Other than the fraying on the edge of the belt, the belt was in near-new condition. The vehicle had approximately 23,000 miles on it. She took it to the dealer, Adventure Subaru of Fayetteville. The wear pattern was substantially the same as depicted on a 2022 Subaru Outback we own, Complaint #11468872. The dealer refused to honor the belt’s lifetime warranty.…”
NHTSA complaint #11468894, 2020

Tires 2

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the hood was flapping up and down. The contact was concerned that the hood might release and crash into the front windshield. The brake pedal was depressed but was slow to respond. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the interior lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer for routine maintenance, and the br…”
NHTSA complaint #11633719, 2023

“2 tires are showing cracks. The tires are losing their threads and it appears that the tires will blow up or tear open as I continue drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11442310, 2020

Back Over Prevention 1

“The backing camera won’t come on when I’m baking and if there is cars it won’t beep, the apps on the screen won’t display and console screen is not operational at all not even for the radio.”
NHTSA complaint #11436311, 2021

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the engine was idling, exhaust fumes entered the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, immediately after starting the vehicle, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the exhaust system. The vehicle was inspected by the local dealer, and it was determined that the exhaust manifold lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11717497, 2020

Parking Brake 1

“The parking/emergency brake lever was accidently activated while traveling at highway speed of 70mph. The lever is in a BAD location and close to where cell phone is charged, cup holders are and transmission shift lever. Cell phone charge cable caught on lever and LOCKED up rear brakes at 70MPH. Almost resulted in loss of life and crash!”
NHTSA complaint #11417718, 2021

Seats 1 1 fire

“WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 09:10 PM(25901 RIVERWOODS RD, METTAWA, IL 60045) NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE FIRE I-94 1 MILE SOUTH OF ROUTE 176(EXIT 16(/ROCKLAND ROAD). AFTER NO MORE THAN A MINUTE ON THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED SOME SMOKE AND PULLED IMMEDIATELY OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (AROUND 1.5-2.0 MILES FROM WORK) AND AROUND 5 MIN INTO DRIVE FROM DEPARTURE FROM ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE. WAS FORTUNATE THAT OFFICER M ZAWIEROWSKI WAS DRIVING BY AND ABLE TO ASSIST AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEN OFFICER STATED WENT BACK TO CAR NOTICED THAT CAR LOCKED U…”
NHTSA complaint #11388349, 2021 · fire

Traction Control System 1

“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after arriving to his destination from driving and powering off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle required a jump start in order to restart. After the restart, the Traction Control and Anti-Collision warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11456001, 2022