Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Ascent, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes10
- Unknown or other8
- Forward collision avoidance7
- Visibility/wiper6
- Tires5
- Electrical system4
- Power train3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Engine3
- Air bags3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 Subaru Ascent failed the safety check 0.74% of the time — 8% more often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 14,616 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.0 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 256 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Standard · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 9.4 | 11.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 Subaru Ascent.
| 2026329 7 Jul 2026 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label lists an incorrect gross axle weight rating (GAWR). This could lead you to overload the vehicle, which could … |
| 2024546 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2023521 21 Sept 2023 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the driveshaft center support brace could loosen. If this happens, the front end of the driveshaft could sep… |
| 2023211 10 Apr 2023 | Tires Issue: On certain vehicles, the tires may have been damaged when they were mounted onto the rims in the factory. While you may not be able to see the damage, i… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 2023 Subaru Ascent: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010932 | "This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms described below: SYMPTOM 1: A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. NOTE: Both of these symptoms are not related with a fault code." |
| 11010931 | In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the front brake on 2019-24 model year Ascent models to 8 years (96 months) or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first) to address cases of front brake pulsation or squealing. |
| 11010928 | This bulletin announces a design change made to the second row inner seat belt buckle assembly to address cases of the seat belt indicator warnings not turning off after the buckle is fully latched. |
| 11010925 | This annocement is to inform dealers to the Gen 3.1 Head Unit OTA will be available via Wi-Fi. The update will take place in multiple batches with the first beginneing November 15th and the last being Decemeber 3rd. This update is for approximatelt 714,000 VINs. |
| 11010911 | The following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. |
| 11010910 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11010908 | This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 4.5 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. |
| 11010905 | This bulletin announces the initialization service procedures to be followed when diagnosing and/or repairing Power Rear Gate (PRG) systems. |
| 11009701 | This bulletin details an important regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which impacts the way some vehicles with accessories are sold. This regulation applies to any automobile retailer installing accessories on a vehicle prior to its first sale. |
| 11009700 | "This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the following three symptoms. SYMPTOM #1: After the EyeSight camera has been exposed to high humidity/temperature conditions without any operation, the cooling fans become inoperable and DTC B28C7 (Fan Motor RPM) is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Assembly. SYMPTOM #2: The EyeSight system enters into a temporary halt mode with an E5 halt code detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Assembly. SYMPTOM #3: DTC B28A6 (Internal Stereo Camera Communication 1) is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera Asse |
| 11009699 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address symptoms which a jerk or judder sensation can be felt from the powertrain during braking with air conditioning on, or a shudder felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11009694 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| 11009690 | Subaru of America, Inc. has announced a warranty extension to the front brakes which will address concerns related to squeak and or judder noises. This is related to Ascent vehicles manufactured prior to January 11th, 2024. |
| 11009689 | This bulletin following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. |
| 11009685 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008283 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer. |
| 11008282 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 11008281 | This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines. |
| 11008280 | This Service Information bulletin is being released as guidance for proper testing and charging of vehicle batteries. |
| 11008279 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 11008278 | In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the front brake on 2019-24 model year Ascent models to 8 years (96 months) or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first) to address cases of front brake pulsation or squealing. |
| 11008277 | This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the two symptoms, a jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on, or a shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. |
| 11008276 | The CP1.5 RCs OTA is available for all mid and high grade CP1.5 head units. |
| 11008270 | This bulletin announces the design change made to the rear gate glass, it is intended to address cases of rust build up along the edge of the rear gate opening of the rear quarter panel. |
| 11008268 | This Bulletin provides the printable target chart needed to perform the wide angle mono camera adjustment procedure for the EyeSight system. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)