Subaru Ascent Best and Worst Years (2019–2025)
The 2019 and 2020 Subaru Ascent are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83 and 441 and 322 complaints respectively, driven mainly by Electrical System issues. The 2023 and 2025 model years score best, with indexes of 17 and 0.
- Model years
- 7
- 2019–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,030
- Recall campaigns
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 34
- Fires reported
- 12
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Ascent Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru Ascent problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 441 | 10 | 6 | 9 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 83 | 322 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 50 | 102 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 67 | 55 | 6 | 2 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 17 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Brakes | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 33 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 21.5 | 5★ |
Ascent years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Subaru Ascent Index 100 · 441 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2019 Ascent has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 441 complaints, 10 crashes, 6 fires, and 8 injuries. Electrical System problems make up 37% of complaints for the year at a median mileage of 10,500 miles, followed by Transmission & Powertrain issues (20%, median 17,231 miles) and Visibility & Wipers problems (18%, median 14,750 miles). NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this year, including a Transmission Control Unit programming error and a PTC heater ground bolt issue that prompted a park-outside advisory. Owners reported air bag non-deployment, brake pedal problems, and smoke or fire following animal-strike collisions.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 visibility & wipers problems →
2020 Subaru Ascent Index 83 · 322 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2020 Ascent ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83, 322 complaints, 6 crashes, and 1 fire. Electrical System complaints account for 33% of the year's total at a median mileage of 6,000 miles, the lowest failure mileage among the top problem areas. Visibility & Wipers (19%, median 8,000 miles) and Transmission & Powertrain (18%, median 22,500 miles) follow. NHTSA recorded 5 recalls for 2020, including the same TCU programming error and PTC heater ground bolt issues affecting 2019. Owners reported burning smells, repeated battery replacements, radio resets, and airbag failures to deploy in crashes.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Subaru Ascent problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System299 (29%)
- Visibility & Wipers206 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain185 (18%)
- Other157 (15%)
- Engine120 (12%)
- Brakes87 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras49 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 (5%)
- Structure & Body43 (4%)
- Fuel System38 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Subaru Ascent years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to the 2019 and 2020 model years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100 and 83) and the most complaints (441 and 322) out of all Ascent years.
- What is the best year for the Subaru Ascent?
- The 2023 and 2025 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 0 and only 45 and 15 complaints respectively.
- What is the most common problem with the Subaru Ascent?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all Ascent years, accounting for 299 complaints, or 29% of the total 1,030 complaints.
- Does the Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns across the 2019-2025 Ascent, including a Transmission Control Unit programming error affecting 2019-2020 models and a PTC heater ground bolt issue affecting 2019-2022 models.
- Are 2021 and 2022 Ascent models safe to buy?
- NHTSA rates 2021 and 2022 as Caution years, with complaint indexes of 50 and 67 and fewer complaints (102 and 55) than the 2019-2020 Avoid years, but more than the Best years.