2023 Subaru Ascent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2023 Subaru Ascent has a complaint index of 33, the second-lowest among 7 model years, earning a Good verdict. It has 45 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Ascent years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 45
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2023 Subaru Ascent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden and unintended acceleration while braking at low speed, resulting in loss of control and collisions.
- One owner described the forward collision avoidance system braking abruptly with no obstruction ahead, causing a loss of control.
- One owner reported warning lights, an engine shutdown on the highway, and the engine catching fire shortly after.
- Windshields have cracked without impact, in one case with very low mileage on a nearly new vehicle.
- A rear tire reportedly shook and came apart while driving on the freeway with no prior impact.
- One owner reported the vehicle failing to start repeatedly at low mileage, requiring multiple jump starts.
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?
- Among the 7 Ascent model years with data, 2023 ranks 5th worst with a complaint index of 33 and carries a Good verdict, meaning it performs better than most other Ascent years based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
- Brakes are the top problem area with 10 complaints (22% share), followed by suspension, wheels and tires with 8 complaints (18%), and collision avoidance and camera issues with 7 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Ascent, covering a driveshaft center support bolt issue, a front lower control arm ball joint concern, tire bead damage on 20-inch wheels, and a gross axle weight rating labeling error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2023 Ascent compare to other years?
- The 2023 Ascent's complaint index of 33 is far lower than the 2019 (100) and 2020 (83) model years, which are both rated Avoid, but higher than the 2024 and 2025 model years, which are rated Best.
- 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.