Worse than most Ascent years
Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical Ascent year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 11,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Ascent years from 2019 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 443 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Ascent. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (160, 36% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the lights, wipers and visibility. That is the most complaints of any Ascent year from 2019 to 2024. It has 9 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Subaru Ascent before you buy.
Electrical system
160 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited model with 96,xxx miles as of January 2025. In 2023, there was a safety recall for the PTC heater ground bolt sent first class mail for multiple year Ascent models. This recall was completed by local subaru dealership on 3/27/2023 stating "WRL 22 completed. Removed ground bolts and cleaned threads.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
We have had to replace battery twice and had to have auto club give us a jump start multiple times. We drive this vehicle once or twice a month, but something is causing battery to run down way to fast. Manufacturer claims we need to drive more often. I have always had one car, that burned to much fuel, and was used as an occasional…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Transmission and drivetrain
90 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where diagnostic trouble codes were identified, and a vehicle reprogramming was performed. While driving, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 108,000 miles
The vehicle has 178k miles on it currently. I had to have a transmission and transfer case replaced at 68k miles. Done by Subaru. At 168k miles I had to have a new front pump in the transmission case replaced. Repair done by Subaru. Now at 178k miles the second replacement transmission has completely failed and needs replaced.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
88 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles. Parts named most: Windshield (12).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Subaru windshild in my 2019 Ascent have been replaced twice in 30,000 miles due to very inadequate glass. I'm struggling to get Subaru to acknowledge their responsibility to replace this current cracked windshield with a new part, as per my reading of a settlement that they should be following [XXX] ). They are currently trying to send…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The windshield cracked with no obvious damage. The crack did not start at a chip. Cracked while not driving and no recent rock hits.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Engine and cooling
48 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the engine was idling, exhaust fumes entered the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, immediately after starting the vehicle, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the exhaust system. The vehicle was inspected by the local dealer, and it was determined that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
The Y pipe that connects the exhaust from the engine to the turbo charger, has cracks from poor welds. It happened 8-12 months ago we started to notice that during warm up our Ascent would sound real loud then quiet down once it warmed up. We didn’t know there was an issue as there were no lights that came on and we had no loss of power…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
29 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Replaced rear brakes and rotors in August 2025. By may 2026 they had worn down to the metal and needed replaced again. Only had 13000 miles on them. After multiple diagnostics testing was done, no issues were found with the brake system. Monitoring new pads and rotors. Still wearing rapidly but even. After only 6 weeks, they have reached…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The break pads had to be renewed after 2.5 months because the ABS was engaging every time I used the breaks. At all speeds. 84,000 milesOwner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
16 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The tailpipe exhaust smells strongly like gasoline. The fumes will also come through the cabin vents if air circulation is turned off.Owner complaint, filed 2021
When driving in low speeds, the car is very jumpy and seemingly inconsistent with the amount of fuel delivered to the pedal. The car seems like it will almost stall out, then I have to push the gas pedal further down to deliver more gas, but then it makes me go to fast and jumps.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 100 miles
Driver assist systems
13 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (5), Warnings (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I leased a 2019 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ), which is equipped with the EyeSight driver-assist system. In the Spring of 2019, while driving in a parking lot at night with low visibility and snow, the vehicle struck a pole. Despite the imminent collision, the EyeSight system failed to engage Pre-Collision Braking or provide any…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Upon starting the vehicle, the driver side mirror started smoking. Secured the vehicle and disconnected the battery. Removed the mirror assembly and notice the electrical wires powering the blind spot indicator of the mirror assembly was burned and melted. Picture of the damage was taken prior to removing the mirror assembly from the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
13 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Accent. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the hood was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that an unknown adjustment was needed. Additionally, the shocks were replaced, but the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles
Immediately after pushing the lift gate release button on the dash, a loud and constant alarm tone began. The gate would then not open using the button on the dash, remote, or handle on the exterior of the lift gate door. To access the items in the rear (and to stop the alarm), we needed to get the door open. We followed the owner's…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Suspension
11 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
We observed Subaru Ascent 2019 (Limited) car handling poorly over bumpy areas, especially over bumps on turns even at speeds under 40 mph. Car feels as if it is loosing contact with the road. It is also jarring over bumps even while driving straight. In wet conditions, I do not know if I will be able to stop within the proper distance.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My Ascent is primarily driven in the city of San Francisco, a fairly hilly city. We have had issues with the suspension on this vehicle in the past, and I will need to install my third pair of struts in the coming weeks (the parts are currently on backorder). The CVT has also been replaced on the vehicle. The tires are routinely rotated…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
7 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
steering wheel drifting to the right, wabbly, unstable car dealer AppleFord in MD) checked and stated on Saturday August 13, 2022 that no problem with car, i am still having this problem, called Subaru at 844-373-6614, talked to Alex and issue Case #220815-22645 i am not comfortable to drive this car with issue, please adviseOwner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while in the middle of an intersection, the power steering assist failed as the power steering disabled warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had to use excessive force to complete the turn as several other unknown warning lights illuminated. After she…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 14,000 miles
Air bags
7 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat air bag sensor would intermittently fail to recognize his granddaughter seated in the passenger’s seat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the air bag switch was recalibrated; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 37,097 miles
My fiancé and I driving down my driveway when I noticed my dogs were out, I stopped the car, put in park and got out, closing the door behind me. Unbeknownst to me the driver side impact airbag deployed causing my fiancé to loose hearing temporarily and obviously leaving her in shock. Corporate Subaru Of America did a 4 month…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Wheels and tires
6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Front wheel bearing issue. Very luckily made it to trusted local shop. Mechanic said we are lucky wheel did not fall off. We wanted to drive to Subaru, he said we would not make the trip. No warning lights. Did not yet have inspected by Subaru, will do next service.Owner complaint, filed 2023
2 tires are showing cracks. The tires are losing their threads and it appears that the tires will blow up or tear open as I continue drive the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Cruise control and acceleration
5 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My wife was pulling into a parking spot at a Safeway in Seattle. The car, instead of stopping, sped up when she stepped on the brakes, slamming into a brick wall. She shifted into reverse, and the car sped backwards, then shifted to drive, and sped forward and slammed into a wall again. She shifted to park and pulled on the parking…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting from PARK to DRIVE, the RPM abruptly went up from 1,200 to 4,000. The contact shifted the vehicle into NEUTRAL to check if the accelerator pedal was stuck but found no obstruction to the pedal. The contact restarted the vehicle and…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 47,915 miles
Seats and seat belts
3 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
In February 2020, my wife and I discovered fraying on the edge of the second row center seat belt on our 2019 Subaru Ascent. The belt was stuck in the connected position and would not retract into the ceiling retracting apparatus. Other than the fraying on the edge of the belt, the belt was in near-new condition. The vehicle had…Owner complaint, filed 2022
I have reported to dealership in Edinburg Tx that the head lights dem at night. Dealership claims is normal for lights to dem. Now, the battery is dead. It won’t start. On 11-19 I arrived from Disney at the Airport only to experience that my 2029 Ascent didn’t start. I called road side assistance it it would take about an hour to come…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Subaru Ascent complaints by year
Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2019 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | Worse than most years | 9 |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | Among the worst years | 3 |
| 2019 Honda Pilot | Among the worst years | 13 |
| 2019 Ford Explorer | One of the better years | 6 |
2019 Subaru Ascent recalls
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Electrical system Interior / under dashPark outside until fixed
- Risk
- A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- 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.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Engine and cooling Crankcase
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- Risk
- If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Body and structure Roof and pillars
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds.
Full recall summary
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.
2019 Subaru Ascent questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Subaru Ascent are the electrical system (160 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (90 complaints) and the lights, wipers and visibility (88 complaints).
Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent a good year to buy?
Worse than most Ascent years. Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical Ascent year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 11,000 miles. A year with fewer complaints: 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Ascent years from 2019 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2019 Subaru Ascent. The most recent, from Jul 2026, covers the labels. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2019 Subaru Ascent problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 11,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 18,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Subaru Ascent years should I avoid?
Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2019 Subaru Ascent?
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