2021 Subaru Ascent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 102 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years with a Caution verdict. Top problem areas are Transmission & Powertrain (19 complaints) and Electrical System (18 complaints), with 2 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Ascent years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 102
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2021 Subaru Ascent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (19%)
- Electrical System18 (18%)
- Other17 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (17%)
- Lane Departure15 (15%)
- Engine14 (14%)
- Brakes9 (9%)
- Structure & Body8 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (7%)
- Steering7 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Windshields crack spontaneously without impact, sometimes spreading several inches per day starting near the driver-side corner or base.
- Batteries drain completely at very low mileage, with multiple owners reporting failure around 1,667 miles requiring replacement.
- Steering wheel becomes wobbly or unresponsive at low speed, in one case causing the vehicle to drift and crash into a guard rail.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while parking, resulting in a collision with a parked vehicle and a building.
- Electrical system issues have triggered check engine warnings followed by smoke and underhood fire.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a side-impact crash, resulting in a chest injury to the driver.
2021 Subaru Ascent recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V436000Jul 7, 2026Other541,237 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
- NHTSA 22V907000Dec 8, 2022Electrical System271,694 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
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.
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
2021 Subaru Ascent fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Ascent years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Ascent carries a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among 7 model years with a complaint index of 67. It has fewer complaints (102) than the 2019 and 2020 model years but more than 2022-2025.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 19% of reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 18% and Visibility & Wipers problems (windshield cracking) at 17%.
- Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Ascent. One covers an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating label, and one covers an improperly fastened PTC heater ground bolt that can pose a fire risk, prompting owners to park outside.
- How does the 2021 Ascent compare to other Ascent years?
- The 2021 model scores better than the 2019 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2020 (83, Avoid) model years, but worse than 2022 (50, Caution), 2023 (33, Good), 2024 (17, Best), and 2025 (0, Best).
- What mileage do 2021 Ascent problems typically appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 3,164 miles overall, though transmission complaints show a much higher median mileage of 88,270.5 miles.