YearToAvoid

2022 Subaru Ascent Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 Ascent years

The 2022 Subaru Ascent has 55 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead problem areas at 25% of complaints, with 2 recalls on file.

Complaints
55
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22.5
20.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2022 Subaru Ascent problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain14 (25%)
  2. Brakes11 (20%)
  3. Engine9 (16%)
  4. Other7 (13%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers7 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (9%)
  7. Airbags4 (7%)
  8. Fuel System4 (7%)
  9. Electrical System3 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (5%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in front-end and red-light collisions despite significant impact damage.
  • The CVT transmission shudders, slips, or lunges forward when accelerating from a stop or maintaining speed on flat ground.
  • Forward collision braking failed to stop the vehicle from hitting a curb and tree in a low-speed parking lot maneuver.
  • Brakes squeal and grind starting at very low mileage, with dealership visits unable to resolve the noise.
  • The electrical system and battery failed within the first few hundred miles, with flickering dashboard lights, horn, and headlights.
  • The front windshield cracked twice within the first five months of ownership.
2022 Subaru Ascent complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2022Nov 2022May 2023Oct 2023Feb 2024Sep 2024May 2025May 2026
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2022 to Jun 2026; peak Jul 2023 (6).

2022 Subaru Ascent recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2022 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.

2022 compared with other Ascent years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid83322522.5
2021Caution50102222.5
2022Caution6755222.5
2023Best1745421.5
2024Good3350121.5

All Subaru Ascent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 Ascent a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among the 7 Ascent model years with complaint data. It is better than the 2019-2021 models but worse than 2023-2025.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 25% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 20% and Engine at 16%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2022 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2022 Ascent, including an electrical system recall over an improperly fastened PTC heater ground bolt that advises owners to park away from structures, and a Gross Axle Weight Rating labeling issue.
What year Subaru Ascent should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2019 Ascent (Complaint Index 100) and 2020 Ascent (Complaint Index 83) are rated Avoid, worse than the 2022 model's Caution rating.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
The EPA rates the 2022 Ascent at 22.5 mpg combined (20.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.