2023 Subaru Ascent Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#6 most-complained of 7 Ascent years
The 2023 Subaru Ascent ranks 6th of 7 model years with a complaint index of 17, one of the lowest, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Ascent years. It has 45 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Brakes as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 45
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2023 Subaru Ascent problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes10 (22%)
- Other9 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (16%)
- Engine6 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (13%)
- Electrical System4 (9%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- Structure & Body3 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
What owners report
- Some owners describe sudden and unintended acceleration while braking at low speed, resulting in crashes with no warning lights present.
- One owner reported the engine displayed warning lights, shut down while driving on the highway, and then caught fire shortly after.
- The Forward Collision Avoidance System reportedly activated abruptly with no obstruction ahead, causing a loss of vehicle control.
- Windshields have cracked without impact, in one case within weeks of purchase and under 600 miles.
- A rear tire reportedly came apart while driving on the freeway despite no impact with road debris.
- One owner reported the vehicle needed repeated jump starts after sitting parked, even with all lights off.
2023 Subaru Ascent recalls
4 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 23V647000Sep 21, 2023Transmission & Powertrain4,311 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
- NHTSA 23V392000Jun 1, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23.
2023 Subaru Ascent fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 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.
2023 compared with other Ascent years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent reliable?
- Relative to other Ascent model years, the 2023 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 17 and ranks 6th worst out of 7 years, earning a "Best" verdict, with 45 total complaints and 4 recalls.
- What are the most common problems on the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
- Brakes lead with 10 complaints (22% of the total), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 8 complaints (18%), and Collision Avoidance & Cameras with 7 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Ascent, including a driveshaft center support bolt issue, a lower control arm ball joint problem, and a tire bead defect on 20-inch wheels. None are classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Ascent compare to other model years?
- The 2023 Ascent has a complaint index of 17, far lower than the 2019 (100) and 2020 (83) model years, which are both rated "Avoid." Only the 2024 (33) and 2025 (0) model years score better.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
- The EPA rates the 2023 Ascent at 21.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.