2021 Subaru Ascent Problems
Compared with other Subaru Ascent years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Subaru Ascent year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 62 of its 104 complaints were filed by the end of 2023.
- Most reported problem: Windshield cracks or chips without an impact (20 complaints, median 3,187 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2022
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 104filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,164miles, 20 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl AWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru Ascent (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent report two broad kinds of trouble: electronic driver-assist features that intervene more forcefully than expected, and windshield glass that cracks or chips with little or no impact. Drivetrain complaints in the sample cluster much higher in mileage, with CVT transmissions slipping, juddering, or in some cases being replaced, often around 40,000 to 80,000 miles. Battery drain and brief electrical gremlins are also reported, typically within the first couple of years of ownership.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks or chips without an impact
- 20 complaints (19%)
- median 3,187 mi at 0.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2025
Complaints describe windshields cracking or chipping with no visible impact, sometimes starting at the base of the driver-side corner and spreading upward, sometimes after the car sat parked. Several owners say the glass seems to pick up chips unusually easily, and one noted glare or specks in the glass when facing the sun. Dealers are described as saying they could not do anything about it or referring owners elsewhere. Often reported within the first months of ownership, with many complaints under about 6,000 miles and some at higher mileage.
What to check: Inspect the windshield closely for chips, star breaks, or cracks starting at the edges, and ask whether the glass has been replaced or covered under any warranty extension.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Our windshield already has numerous chips and one crack that we repaired. We have only had this car since october but it seems like the windshield is very brittle. We have had some winter weather lately so there was excessive junk in the road and sand but our other vehicles have not had the same issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11386399, filed 2021-01, 3,500 miles“Crack appeared spidered across the windshield just within the 60 minutes of us leaving our car in mammoth cave state park information center parking lot on saturday. Such a tiny crack spidering like that is concerning to me especially coming from a 2015 Subaru legacy that had the new windshield class action. We did not see that crack at any time before. This was purchased in the end of february.”
NHTSA complaint #11414989, filed 2021-05, 5,500 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
CVT transmission slipping, judder, or failure
- 17 complaints (16%)
- median 88,270 mi at 5.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2026
Owners describe the CVT slipping or hesitating during acceleration, jerking or shuddering at low speeds, revving without delivering power, and in some cases a sudden loss of drive that required a tow. Complaints mention dealers confirming transmission slippage, performing reprogramming, or replacing the transmission entirely. Some owners report the problem returned after a software reprogram or a replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few cases earlier.
What to check: Test drive at low and highway speeds and note any shudder, hesitation, or slipping on acceleration. Ask for transmission service records and whether the CVT has been reprogrammed or replaced, and check remaining powertrain warranty coverage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I had catastrophic transmission failure. The car was completely inoperable. Thankfully this only happened in a parking lot. If this were yo happen while merging into traffic it could have been very dangerous. This was the second cvt in this vehicle. The 1st transmission was replaced around 52kmiles. The second transmission lasted not even 13 months sndless than 15k miles. Subaru replaced the transmission for a 3rd time at a cost of 1k to me. I no longer have the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11730964, filed 2026-04“My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission - per the Subaru of America service tree. This issue began on July 23, 2026, when a slew of warning lights illuminated on the dash and my car went into limp mode, not accelerating properly. It eventually began driving normally and all dash warning lights dissipated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11760300, filed 2026-08 - Lane departure
Lane centering and lane assist over-correct
- 11 complaints (11%)
- median 1,500 mi at 0.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2025
Owners describe the lane centering or lane assist system pulling or jerking the wheel harder than expected, sometimes steering the vehicle toward an adjacent lane rather than holding the center. Several say it happens mainly with adaptive cruise control engaged, and some report that forward collision warning did not engage when they expected it to. A number of owners said the dealer told them the behavior was normal or could not duplicate it. Mostly reported under about 5,000 miles, often on the highway with cruise control or lane centering active.
What to check: On a test drive, try the lane centering and lane assist at highway speed and see whether the corrections feel abrupt or pull toward the adjacent lane. Ask the seller whether any software updates or recalibrations were done for the driver-assist system.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Lane assist with cruise control over corrects. On multiple occasions while on the freeway using cruise control the lane assist pulled me into the other lane into other vehicles. I have almost hit two other vehicles. The pull is too strong and crosses lanes. I have to keep it off. Forward collision does not engage.”
NHTSA complaint #11408628, filed 2021-04, 1,500 miles“Lane assist with cruise control over corrects. On multiple occasions while on the freeway using cruise control the lane assist pulled me into the other lane into other vehicles. I have almost hit other vehicles. The pull is too strong and crosses lanes. If not fixed by Subaru, accidents will occur.”
NHTSA complaint #11416528, filed 2021-05, 140 miles - Electrical system
Battery drains and the car will not start
- 11 complaints (11%)
- median 1,667 mi at 0.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 2021–2026
Owners report the battery going flat after short periods of sitting, sometimes on a new vehicle, requiring a jump start or replacement. A few mention multiple battery replacements within a short time and dealers finding nothing wrong on the first visit. Some complaints connect the drain to an electrical draw when the ignition is off. Reported from very low mileage up to around 25,000 miles, typically within the first two years.
Recall 22V9070002 related service bulletins
What to check: Ask how old the battery is and whether it has been replaced, and whether any parasitic-draw diagnosis was performed. A battery load test before purchase is a reasonable request.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“At 1667 miles on my brand new Subaru Ascent the battery was completely drained while my wife was out shopping. The battery needed to be replaced. No charge to me, however at 1667 miles that is an issue. There is a dead Subaru Ascent battery club that n facebook dedicated to this issue and lawyers starting to get ready for class action law suit. Vehicle was parked when this happened. Dealer couldn't explain what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11395288, filed 2021-02, 1,667 miles“The battery died after 2 years and 15000 miles. I was with my whole family ( 2 months old, 2 and 4 years old) away from home. I was able to reach the dealership leaving my family in a store and they said that nothing was wrong with the battery. Next day the car wouldn’t start and they finally replaced the battery under my extended warranty. Today I discover that there is a class action settlement for older models of my car. I was advised to write a complain to you. Apparently they didn’t fix the problem with newer models either.”
NHTSA complaint #11486448, filed 2022-09
Buying note. A 2021 Ascent is worth a careful test drive: exercise the lane centering and transmission at both low and highway speeds, inspect the windshield and sunroof seals, and ask for service records on the CVT and battery. Remaining powertrain warranty coverage is worth confirming, since transmission work dominates the higher-mileage complaints.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 104 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Ascent. 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 90% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,164 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 384 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Subaru Ascent model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system18 17%
- Other or unknown17 16%
- Lane departure15 14%
- Engine12 12%
- Brakes9 8.6%
- Steering7 6.7%
- Body and structure7 6.7%
Also reported: Fuel system (2), Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Wheels (2), Air bags (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a 2021 Subaru Ascent Premium with 6,000 miles. The Transmission or CVT feels odd every time i shift from Park to Drive or Reverse i feel a hard clunk additional to that every time i get in the Highway and add some RPMs to the SUV the CVT shifting feels Hard more likely like i m driving a Manual vehicle something that is not suppose to happen or feel that way. …”
NHTSA complaint #11476124, filed 2022-07Electrical system: “The vehicle has a parasitic battery draw. I purchased a new gel cell (Redtop) battery, the most powerful one that fits the car, and was reimbursed by Subaru. The car battery still goes totally dead after about one week, even with occasional driving. I have to carry a jump battery in case I am traveling to insure that I can get the car started when I stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11572635, filed 2024-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The windshield of our new Subaru Ascent touring 2021 just cracked on its own only a couple of weeks after purchase. The crack is now about 10in and keeps getting longer((”
NHTSA complaint #11389020, filed 2021-01, 3,187 milesOther or unknown: “I am a CPST. I use the Joie Mint Latch with my own child. On multiple occasions I have found on multiple occasions that when securing the lower rigid latch it will flip to green (secure) when it is not actually latched. It is during install when jiggling it into position. I am concerned parents who arent as well educated on car seats may not double check the latch before traveling and their child may not be safe.”
NHTSA complaint #11728594, filed 2026-04Mileage when problems were reported
90% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,667 and 6,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Subaru Ascent. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.0% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Subaru Ascent version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dashCovers: Subaru Ascent 2019–2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. 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…
- 26V436000Jul 7, 2026Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Subaru Ascent 2019–2026, Forester 2025–2026, Crosstrek Hybrid 2026
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…
Recall details for the 2021 Subaru Ascent → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 384 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037946Sep 29, 2026Engine, Electrical system. This Bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
- 11037945Sep 29, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that occurs in a small number of unique cases.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037928Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037925Sep 4, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This bulletin provides additional examples, diagnostics tips and installation tips as helpful aids to be used when working with sunroof seals and sunroof frame assemblies on Ascent models. This is…
Other model years of the Subaru Ascent
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 22,000 | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 51 | 11,200 | 1 | 5 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 45 | 19,500 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 37 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 56 | 38,000 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 104 | 3,164 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 324 | 6,126 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 443 | 12,274 | 9 | 5 | 23 | 100 · More | Falling |
All Subaru Ascent model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent report two broad kinds of trouble: electronic driver-assist features that intervene more forcefully than expected, and windshield glass that cracks or chips with little or no impact. The issues reported most often: Windshield cracks or chips without an impact; CVT transmission slipping, judder, or failure; Lane centering and lane assist over-correct.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have?
NHTSA recorded 104 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Ascent as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Subaru Ascent is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 20 complaints (19% of the total), followed by electrical system with 18.
Has the 2021 Subaru Ascent been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Subaru Ascent do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Subaru Ascent 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Ascent get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Ascent (Ascent, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Subaru Ascent reported?
Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,164 miles and the middle half falls between 1,667 and 6,200 miles; 90% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.