Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2020 Subaru ascent has 4 recalls, 310 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
4
Recalls
310
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
21V955000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Con...
21V954000
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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 m...
21V587000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toy...
22V907000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Tem...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2020 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2026 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Water intrusion occurred inside the vehicle, resulting in extensive mold contamination throughout th... |
| Feb 26, 2026 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I was driving and I got check engine light and all safety features disabled while I was in the freew... |
| Feb 16, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent (Build Date: March 2020) Component: Power Train – Automatic Transmission... |
| Feb 1, 2026 | ENGINE | Car has 82,000 miles, has been maintained and requires an engine replacement due to 'Sludge'. Readi... |
| Dec 29, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | i purchased this vehicle from Northwest Chevrolet in McKenna, Wa on [XXX] and they did not disclose ... |
| Dec 11, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent Issue: Cold weather software glitch If you are operating an Ascent or p... |
| Oct 27, 2025 | SUSPENSION | Car is making loud noises while going over uneven roads. Only have 64,000 miles on it and I need to ... |
| Jul 17, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Replaced front multi plate transfer clutch at 96,987 miles. |
| Jun 18, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Although the NHTSA form does not include a transmission category, this complaint concerns a critical... |
| Jun 12, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator ped... |
| May 13, 2025 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed... |
| May 1, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | My 2020 Subaru Ascent experienced a sudden failure of critical safety systems due to CVT fluid leaki... |
| Apr 29, 2025 | ENGINE | Unknown PCV valve failure caused catastrophic engine failure on interstate highway (70 mph speed lim... |
| Feb 16, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Ever since our car went in for re-programing CVT drive chain it progressively has been having a prob... |
| Feb 9, 2025 | SUSPENSION | Extreme rattle/clunking driving over bumps especially on dirt roads. Seems to be many people are hav... |
| Jan 29, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | While driving the vehicle between 30 - 40 mph, the vehicle will intermittently studder. I have menti... |
| Dec 20, 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the tran... |
| Nov 27, 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Lug nut studs fail frequently. Have replaced 3. An additional failure identified today during rou... |
| Nov 14, 2024 | STRUCTURE | I can’t say what caused the huge crack in the sunroof bc there is no chips on the outside and no chi... |
| Oct 1, 2024 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local de... |