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SteeringPart report

2021 Subaru Ascent Steering Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
7%of 104 total for the year
Median mileage
2,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Subaru Ascent, 7% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles. 1 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.

“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

“Vehicle wanders on the highway. When passing a vehicle on the road the lane centering assist tries to hug the centerline and the driver must keep pulling he vehicle back to the center of the passing lane. A short lapse of steering could pull the vehicle into the side of the vehicle being passed. Full time job to keep the vehicle from wandering when very liitle wind and almost impossible to keep it from wandering when the wind is blowing 15-20 MPH. Not a pleasant relaxing drive.”

NHTSA complaint #11399576, filed 2021-03, 800 miles

“Vehicle wanders on the highway and pulls hard to the left, which is a very concerning safety issue. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer, did an alignment and took it back a month later because the issue persisted. The problem persist, specially when driving the vehicle on the highway. I am really concern about my family safety and the safety of others in the road.”

NHTSA complaint #11566809, filed 2024-01

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 20 mph and making a slight right turn, the steering wheel did not respond and the vehicle drifted to the left and crashed into the guard rail. Prior to the incident the driver indicated the steering wheel felt wobbly and unstable. There were no injuries reported. The police was called to scene and the vehicle was towed away. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. …”

NHTSA complaint #11459011, filed 2022-03, 10,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway and making a left turn, the steering wheel locked up and the contact could not turn the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel to unlocked. The failure recurred with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,200.”

NHTSA complaint #11426138, filed 2021-07, 6,200 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025213%
202436%
202312%
202212%
202177%
202021%
201972%

Other parts of the 2021 Subaru Ascent

Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Lane departure
15 complaints
Engine
12 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
7 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Subaru Ascent

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology