2020 Subaru Ascent Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 324 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 1% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in an accident 11/29 at 9:45pm where I hit a cow. I was driving 55 on a straight highway that I'm very familiar with. The cow was standing in the entire lane of travel and I was able to veer into the other lane slightly and took the impact on the right side where I did not have any passengers. The Subaru was totaled and I'm now having severe whiplash symptoms. I am reporting this as the airbags did not deploy and everyone who has seen the vehicle says they think they should have. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383041, filed 2020-12, 9,500 miles“The contact's wife owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stopped in traffic when a semi-trailer collided with another vehicle, causing that vehicle to crash into the front end of her vehicle. It resulted in a four-vehicle collision. On impact, the contact's wife hit her head on the steering wheel. The air bags were not deployed upon impact. The contact's wife received medical attention for her head injury. A police report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11480135, filed 2022-08, 31,000 miles“The contact owned a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH on a highway when the contact's husband lost consciousness causing him to crash into a truck. As a result, the event leads to a 4 vehicle collision. The driver was transported via ambulance to the hospital where it was confirmed that there were no injuries. The other occupants in the other vehicles did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11455875, filed 2022-03, 30,000 miles“Sudden unwanted rapid acceleration toward a building from parking lot causing head on collision: - Manual brakes failed - Automatic brakes did not engage - Airbags did NOT deploy after hitting an immovable object head on at least twice - Driver seatbelt did not lock - Starlink was not activated / notified - No collision warning was sounded (moot) Both driver and front passenger were severely injured and taken by ambulance to ER.”
NHTSA complaint #11443234, filed 2021-12Related service bulletins
- 11018901May 5, 2025This bulletin announces the repair procedures for the left and right-side horns to address DTC B1610 (Front Sub Sensor RH Failure) detected when the horns are operated shortly…
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Subaru Ascent
101 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
60 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology