13 recalls covering model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
Subaru is recalling certain Crosstrek Hybrid, Forester, Forester Hybrid and Ascent vehicles. The certification label on these vehicles shows an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating, the maximum weight an axle is rated to carry. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet a federal safety standard covering tire and rim selection. Subaru will mail owners a new label free of charge, and owners who prefer can have a dealer install the new label instead, also free.
Subaru is recalling certain 2023 Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback vehicles because of a problem with the driveshaft. The bolts that hold the center support brace for the driveshaft in place may loosen over time. If those bolts loosen too much, the front end of the driveshaft can come apart from the rest of the vehicle. To fix this, dealers will clean the surfaces where the bolts attach and put in new bolts, at no cost to the owner.
Reported Jun 1, 2023 · Campaign 23V392000 · Model years: 2023
Certain 2023 Subaru Ascent vehicles may have a left or right front lower control arm with a ball joint castle nut that was not tightened properly. This can cause the retention pin to fail and the ball joint to separate from the lower control arm.
Subaru is recalling certain Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. During the wheel mounting process, the internal bead of a tire may have been damaged. A tire with a damaged bead can suddenly lose air pressure while the vehicle is being driven.
Reported Dec 8, 2022 · Campaign 22V907000 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
A bolt that grounds the wiring for the cabin heater may not have been properly tightened. If it isn't secure, the wiring connection could melt, along with nearby parts. Subaru will replace the bolt, and if needed, the wire and connector, to fix the problem.
⚠ NHTSA advises: park outside and away from structures (fire risk).
Reported Dec 9, 2021 · Campaign 21V955000 · Model years: 2019, 2020
Subaru is recalling certain Ascent, Legacy, and Outback vehicles because a programming error in the transmission control unit may let the clutch engage before the drive chain is fully clamped. If the chain isn't properly secured, it may slip and break. A broken drive chain causes a loss of drive power, which increases the risk of a crash.
Reported Dec 9, 2021 · Campaign 21V954000 · Model years: 2020
Subaru is recalling certain Ascent vehicles because of an incorrect tapered hole in the tie rod housing. This can cause the front tie rod ends to not fit properly, and the tie rods and housings can become deformed during assembly or service if too much torque is applied. As a result, the tie rods may separate from the housing.
The low-pressure fuel pump, located inside the fuel tank, may fail on these vehicles. If the pump fails, the engine can stall while the vehicle is being driven. To fix the issue, dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump. This repair is free of charge, and it applies to a number of affected Subaru models as well as the Toyota 86.
Certain Subaru Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles have a low pressure fuel pump that may stop working. Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump to fix the problem.
Reported Dec 2, 2019 · Campaign 19V855000 · Model years: 2019
Subaru is recalling certain Ascent vehicles because the transmission hydraulic sensor may not measure the transmission fluid pressure accurately. If the sensor reads the pressure as higher than it really is, the actual hydraulic pressure will be reduced. This can cause the transmission drive chain to lose proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.
Reported Dec 2, 2019 · Campaign 19V856000 · Model years: 2019
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve in your engine can separate. If it does, the pieces that break off can travel into the engine, causing your vehicle to lose power while you're driving. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valve, free of charge. If the valve has separated and its pieces can't be found, the engine's short block will be replaced instead, free of charge.
On some Ascent vehicles, the bolts that hold the center support of the driveshaft in place may loosen over time. If these bolts loosen enough, the front portion of the driveshaft could disconnect from the rest of the driveshaft while the vehicle is being driven, meaning the driveshaft is no longer held together the way it is designed to be.
Reported Aug 2, 2018 · Campaign 18V508000 · Model years: 2019
Subaru is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles that may be missing some spot welds on or around the B-pillar, part of the vehicle's body structure. Welds like these hold the body together, so missing ones leave the vehicle weaker than intended. Dealers will inspect each vehicle to check whether the welds are there. If any are missing, Subaru will replace the vehicle itself, free of charge, rather than repairing it.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls covering the 2019–2026 Subaru Ascent. 11 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Subaru Ascent and Forester have wrong weight rating label" (NHTSA campaign 26V436000), reported Jul 7, 2026.
Which Subaru Ascent model year has the most recalls?
The 2019 Subaru Ascent has the most, with 9 recalls. The 2024 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 1. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Is there a do-not-drive or park-outside recall on the Subaru Ascent?
Yes. 1 Subaru Ascent recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA: Subaru Ascent Cabin Heater Fire Risk (22V907000). These apply only to the affected vehicles, so check your VIN.
How do I check whether my Subaru Ascent has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised Subaru dealer, including for second owners.
Buying a used Ascent?
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: