Recalled components: electrical system, powertrain, fuel system, body structure, and 2 more. Most-described problem: a dead battery or battery drain (110 complaints, 25%). Most-reported area: electrical system (160 complaints, 36%; median mileage when it happened: 10,600).
One of the Ascent years to avoid
The 2019 drew 281 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical Ascent year: 4.5 times as many.
Years to avoid: 2019 and 2020; best year: 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Year to avoidBest year
9 safety recalls for the 2019 Subaru Ascent
Parts with a do-not-drive or park-outside recall come first, then the rest, largest first. Within a part, do-not-drive and park-outside recalls come first, then the newest. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, 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.
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.
271,694 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WRL-22.
Powertrain 3 recalls
automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
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.
198,255 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
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.
76,842 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles.
Risk: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
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.
166 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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.
175,968 vehicles.
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.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
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.
188,207 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
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.
293 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ASCENT. Subaru campaign WTU-80.
Engine and cooling 1 recall
exhaust system · emission control · crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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.
51,613 vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles.
Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 110 (tire and rim labeling) · 541,237 vehicles.
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2019 Subaru Ascent.
What owners report
Owners have filed 443 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Ascent. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Dead battery or battery drain110 · 25%
Median 11,800 miles at failure, from 57 reports with mileage
Cracked or shattered windshield78 · 18%
Median 15,000 miles at failure, from 59 reports with mileage
Won't start30 · 7%
Median 10,800 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration28 · 6%
Median 18,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Most named: 12v/24v/48v battery (3) · Median 10,600 miles at failure, from 86 reports with mileage
Powertrain90 · 20%
Median 18,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Visibility/wiper66 · 15%
Median 14,000 miles at failure, from 47 reports with mileage
Engine47 · 11%
Median 8,300 miles at failure, from 22 reports with mileage
Brakes26 · 6%
Median 6,500 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system16 · 4%
Visibility15 · 3%
Most named: windshield (12) · Median 25,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Unknown or other59 · 13%
Median 15,000 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
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: 443 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Subaru Ascent
Model year
Complaints
2019
443
2020
325
2021
106
2022
56
2023
47
2024
51
2025
15
2026
5
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.
In the 443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, the problems described most are a dead battery or battery drain (110), a cracked or shattered windshield (78), and the engine not starting (30). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
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.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2019 Subaru Ascent.
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 Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
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.