YearToAvoid

2025 Subaru Ascent Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#7 most-complained of 7 Ascent years

The 2025 Subaru Ascent ranks 7th (best) out of 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 0 and 15 complaints filed. Its top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, and it has 1 recall so far.

Complaints
15
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19.5 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2025 Subaru Ascent problems

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

  1. Visibility & Wipers4 (27%)
  2. Engine3 (20%)
  3. Electrical System2 (13%)
  4. Other2 (13%)
  5. Steering2 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (13%)
  7. Airbags1 (7%)
  8. Brakes1 (7%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the driver's side mirror shaking or vibrating badly enough to blur the view, especially at highway speed or at night.
  • One owner reported the engine suddenly revving and unintentionally accelerating while parking, resulting in a crash.
  • A separate report described the engine catching fire immediately after a collision with a deer, despite the braking and airbag systems working.
  • Owners describe a factory tire developing a straight split with exposed steel cords at around 22,000 miles with no impact event.
  • One owner reported uncontrolled activation of electrical features (heat, radio, display) followed by drivetrain shuddering and a sudden loss of engine power at highway speed.
  • One owner reported the adaptive cruise control braking hard for several seconds with no vehicles or obstacles ahead.
2025 Subaru Ascent complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2025Jul 2025Dec 2025May 2026Jul 2026Sep 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2026 (6).

2025 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.

2025 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.

2025 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
2023Best1745421.5
2024Good3350121.5
2025Best015121.5

All Subaru Ascent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Subaru Ascent reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Ascent has a Complaint Index of 0, the lowest of the 7 model years covered, and ranks as the Best year in the lineup.
What problems have owners reported on the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
The top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, at 27% of complaints, largely centered on a vibrating driver's side mirror. Engine issues make up 20% of complaints and include two crashes and one fire.
Does the 2025 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 26V436000) covers 2025-2026 Ascent vehicles built with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating certification label. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2025 Ascent compare to other Ascent years?
The 2025 model has 15 complaints and a Complaint Index of 0, far below the 2019 model's index of 100 and 441 complaints, making 2025 the best-ranked year among the 7 years with data.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
The EPA rates the 2025 Ascent at 21.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.

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.