Subaru Ascent Recalls (2019-2023)
The Subaru Ascent has been the subject of 12 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2019 to 2023 model years. They cluster mostly around the power train, fuel system, and suspension.
The Subaru Ascent scores 17 out of 100 (grade F), one of the heavier recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 92% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 25% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 12 campaigns span 5 model years of the Subaru Ascent. The single largest affected 271,694 vehicles, over electrical system. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Ascent problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Subaru Ascent may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Subaru Ascent recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Subaru Ascent recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2023 Subaru Ascent Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2023 Subaru Ascent, involving the power train, suspension, and tires.
2022 Subaru Ascent Recalls
1 recall affects the 2022 Subaru Ascent, involving the electrical system.
2021 Subaru Ascent Recalls
1 recall affects the 2021 Subaru Ascent, involving the electrical system.
2020 Subaru Ascent Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2020 Subaru Ascent, involving the electrical system, steering, and power train.
2019 Subaru Ascent Recalls
8 recalls affect the 2019 Subaru Ascent, involving the power train, fuel system, and electrical system.
Every Subaru Ascent recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2023 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,311
- Reported
- Sep 21, 2023
- Owners notified
- Nov 20, 2023
Defect: 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 campaign number 23V647000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2023 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 5
- Reported
- Jun 1, 2023
- Owners notified
- Jun 27, 2023
Defect: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 23V392000.
Tires
- Affected years
- 2023 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,409
- Reported
- Apr 7, 2023
- Owners notified
- May 5, 2023
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
Risk: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.
NHTSA campaign number 23V258000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 271,694
- Reported
- Dec 8, 2022
- Owners notified
- Jan 25, 2023
Defect: Subaru 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 surrounding components.
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
NHTSA campaign number 22V907000.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2020 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,305
- Reported
- Dec 9, 2021
- Owners notified
- Feb 7, 2022
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Risk: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.
NHTSA campaign number 21V954000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 198,255
- Reported
- Dec 9, 2021
- Owners notified
- Aug 19, 2022
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.
NHTSA campaign number 21V955000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 175,968
- Reported
- Jul 29, 2021
- Owners notified
- Sep 24, 2021
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
NHTSA campaign number 21V587000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2019 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 188,207
- Reported
- Apr 16, 2020
- Owners notified
- Jun 4, 2020
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
NHTSA campaign number 20V218000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2019 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 76,842
- Reported
- Dec 2, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jan 31, 2020
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Risk: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.
NHTSA campaign number 19V855000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2019 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 51,613
- Reported
- Dec 2, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jan 31, 2020
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
NHTSA campaign number 19V856000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2019 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 166
- Reported
- Jul 10, 2019
- Owners notified
- Jul 26, 2019
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
Risk: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.
NHTSA campaign number 19V519000.
Structure
- Affected years
- 2019 Subaru Ascent
- Vehicles in this recall
- 293
- Reported
- Aug 2, 2018
- Owners notified
- Jul 31, 2018
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.
NHTSA campaign number 18V508000.
Common questions about Subaru Ascent recalls
- Does the Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on record for the Subaru Ascent across the 2019 to 2023 model years. The most common areas are the power train, fuel system, and suspension.
- How many times has the Subaru Ascent been recalled?
- The Subaru Ascent has 12 recall campaigns from the 2019 to 2023 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Subaru Ascent recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the electrical system, affecting 271,694 vehicles. Owners were told to park outside and away from buildings because of a fire risk. A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
- Which Subaru Ascent model year has the most recalls?
- The 2019 Subaru Ascent has the most, with 8 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Subaru Ascent has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.