NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 441 owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent.
One recall for this model year tells owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired:Electrical system, park outside (22V-907). Check your VIN below to see whether yours is affected.
9Safety recalls
441Owner complaints
10Complaints citing a crash
6Complaints citing a fire
Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Recalled components: electrical system, equipment, powertrain, fuel system, and 2 more. Most-reported area: electrical system (160 complaints, 36%; median mileage when it happened: 10,600).
9 safety recalls for the 2019 Subaru Ascent
Do-not-drive and park-outside recalls first, then newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WRL-22.
Equipment
Jul 7, 2026
labels
Fails federal standard 110 (tire and rim labeling)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WRH-26.
Powertrain
Dec 9, 2021
automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WRD-20.
Powertrain
Dec 2, 2019
automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WUV-07.
Engine and cooling
Dec 2, 2019
exhaust system · emission control · crankcase (pcv)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WTU-80.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
The areas named in the 441 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Ascent. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Electrical system160 · 36%
Most named: 12v/24v/48v battery (3) · Median 10,600 miles at failure (86 reports)
Powertrain88 · 20%
Median 17,200 miles at failure (36 reports)
Visibility/wiper66 · 15%
Median 14,000 miles at failure (47 reports)
Engine47 · 11%
Median 8,300 miles at failure (22 reports)
Brakes26 · 6%
Median 6,500 miles at failure (17 reports)
Fuel and propulsion system16 · 4%
Visibility15 · 3%
Most named: windshield (12) · Median 25,000 miles at failure (15 reports)
Unknown or other59 · 13%
Median 15,000 miles at failure (29 reports)
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Subaru Ascent recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2019 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Ascent drew the most (281).
Owner complaints
2019: 441 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Subaru Ascent
Model year
Complaints
2019
441
2020
322
2021
102
2022
55
2023
45
2024
50
2025
15
2026
1
Safety recalls
2019: 9 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Subaru Ascent
Model year
Recalls
2019
9
2020
5
2021
2
2022
2
2023
4
2024
1
2025
1
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Tested version
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Subaru Ascent SUV AWD
Rollover risk 17.0%
Questions
What are the most common 2019 Ascent problems?
The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: electrical system (160), powertrain (88), visibility/wiper (66). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.
Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2019 Subaru Ascent earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
How do I check if my Ascent has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Subaru dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: ASCENT.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.