2022 Subaru Ascent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2022 Subaru Ascent has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 55 complaints, 2 recalls, 6 crashes, and 2 fires, with transmission and powertrain issues the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 Ascent years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2022 Subaru Ascent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (25%)
- Brakes11 (20%)
- Engine9 (16%)
- Other7 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (9%)
- Airbags4 (7%)
- Fuel System4 (7%)
- Electrical System3 (5%)
- Lane Departure3 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the CVT transmission shudders or lunges when accelerating from a stop, sometimes feeling like it can't decide which gear ratio to use.
- Some describe the transmission slipping or lunging forward hard enough to nearly cause a rear-end collision.
- Brakes have made squealing or grinding noises starting from very low mileage, with dealership visits not resolving the issue.
- In some crashes, airbags did not deploy despite significant front-end damage.
- One driver reported the forward collision avoidance system failed to stop the vehicle before hitting a curb and tree in a parking lot.
- A windshield cracked twice within the first five months of ownership.
2022 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2022 Ascent a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 4th worst among 7 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Ascent years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead with 14 complaints (25% share), including reports of CVT shuddering and slipping, followed by brakes at 11 complaints (20%) and engine issues at 9 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2022 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2022 Ascent, including one for a ground bolt issue in the PTC heater that Subaru says requires parking away from structures, and none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Ascent compare to other model years?
- The 2022 Ascent's Complaint Index of 50 is better than 2019 (100, Avoid) and 2020 (83, Avoid), but worse than 2023 (33, Good), 2024 (17, Best), and 2025 (0, Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
- 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.