2021 Subaru Ascent problems and recalls

Owners have filed 102 complaints on the 2021 Subaru Ascent, and NHTSA has issued 2 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (19 complaints).

102
Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
3
Injuries
51.0
Severity index

Severity index 51.0 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 51.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 58 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 37% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 19 complaints (18.6%)19 19%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 18 complaints (17.6%)18 18%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 16 complaints (15.7%)16 16%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 15 complaints (14.7%)15 15%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 14 complaints (13.7%)14 14%EngineEngine: 12 complaints (11.8%)12 12%Service BrakesService Brakes: 9 complaints (8.8%)9 9%StructureStructure: 7 complaints (6.9%)7 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN1918.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1817.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1615.7%
LANE DEPARTURE1514.7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER1413.7%
ENGINE1211.8%
SERVICE BRAKES98.8%
STRUCTURE76.9%

Complaints filed per year

013262021: 262022: 222023: 142024: 152025: 122026: 13 (partial year)21262223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
202126
202222
202314
202415
202512
2026 (year to date)13
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2021 to 2022 (41 against 48).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V90700008/12/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASHSubaru 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 surr
26V43600007/07/2026EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSubaru 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

Other Subaru Ascent model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.