YearToAvoid

2024 Subaru Ascent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2024 Subaru Ascent ranks 6th of 7 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 17 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 50 complaints, 1 recall, 3 crashes, and 1 injury, with mirror vibration as the dominant complaint.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
17/100
#6 of 7 Ascent years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
50
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2025
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2024 Subaru Ascent problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers31 (62%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (10%)
  3. Other5 (10%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (10%)
  5. Electrical System4 (8%)
  6. Engine4 (8%)
  7. Steering3 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Driver-side mirror vibrates or shakes excessively at highway speeds, making the adjacent lane hard to see, especially at night.
  • Dealers reportedly replaced the mirror housing or glass but owners say the vibration returns or never fully resolves.
  • Rear automatic braking system detected an obstacle while reversing but the vehicle kept accelerating instead of stopping, according to one owner.
  • EyeSight camera system reportedly froze after purchase, along with radio freezing and unexpected volume spikes.
  • One owner reported a harsh shudder/clunk with total loss of throttle response at 45 mph before the vehicle regained power after restarting.
  • Front brake rotors and pads needed replacement due to heavy shaking and noise while braking at low mileage.
2024 Subaru Ascent complaints: complaints filed per month11Apr 2024Aug 2024Nov 2024Feb 2025Jun 2025Sep 2025Mar 2026Aug 2026
50 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2024 to Aug 2026; peak Sep 2024 (11).

2024 Subaru Ascent recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2024 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.

2024 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
2022Caution5055222.5
2023Good3345421.5
2024Best1750121.5
2025Best015121.5

All Subaru Ascent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2024 Subaru Ascent reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2024 Ascent has a complaint index of 17, the second-lowest of the seven model years tracked, earning a Best verdict relative to other Ascent years.
What is the most common problem with the 2024 Subaru Ascent?
Visibility & Wipers issues, mainly driver-side mirror vibration, account for 31 of 50 complaints, or 62% of all reports for this year.
Does the 2024 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2024 Ascent, covering an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating certification label; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2024 Ascent compare to other Ascent model years?
The 2024 Ascent has 50 complaints and a complaint index of 17, far below the 2019 model's index of 100 and 441 complaints, making 2024 one of the better years.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2024 Ascent?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 1 injury reported for the 2024 Ascent, with no fires or deaths.

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.