2023 Subaru Ascent Problems
Compared with other Subaru Ascent years
Typical for this model
37/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.7× 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.
- 36 of its 45 complaints were filed by the end of 2025.
- Most reported part: Brakes (10 complaints).
- 4 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
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 19,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl AWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2023 Subaru Ascent (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2023 Subaru Ascent. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (22% of the total), followed by other or unknown (8) and forward collision avoidance (7). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 293 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 40 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Subaru Ascent model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 37 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.
- Brakes10 22%
- Other or unknown8 18%
- Tires5 11%
- Electrical system4 8.9%
- Air bags3 6.7%
- Engine3 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control3 6.7%
Also reported: Lane departure (2), Seats (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “unknown defects in some vehicles that could cause sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input Yes, our safety was at risk. The vehicle was clearly not in our control. A police report was generated. The car plowed through the garage no control to brake The damages are being inspected by insurance. There were no waring lights that I could see”
NHTSA complaint #11610317, filed 2024-08Other or unknown: “On May 12, 2024 I placed my vehicle in Park. As I exited, it rolled back. The door knocked me down and the car rolled over my left leg, injuring my lower leg, ankle, and foot. Problem has not been reproduced. Vehicle has not been inspected. I phoned the dealer, who denied any knowledge of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11590369, filed 2024-05Forward collision avoidance: “In 2024, 2025, and 2026, I have had 2 incidents in each year where the cruise control is set to 60 to 65 mph and the cruise control then accelerates the car past 100 mph. When this occurs, tapping the break does NOT disengage the cruise control. All 6 times I have had to slam the breaks to a full dead stop while the car tries to accelerate anyway. April 4, 2026 and April 14, 2026 are the most recent occurrences and all occurrences so far for this issue have been during a downhill road incline. …”
NHTSA complaint #11731662, filed 2026-04Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Just bought my Ascent last 12/31/22. With less than 600 miles, while driving with my heater on, I noticed there was a crack on windshield lower center portion, about 5 in length. There was no object that hit the windshield that I saw or heard.”
NHTSA complaint #11506622, filed 2023-02Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,000 and 25,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2023 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 2023 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2022: same overall rating; 2024: 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 2023 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 | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
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
- 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…
- 23V647000Sep 21, 2023Power train › Driveline › DriveshaftCovers: Subaru Ascent 2023, Outback 2023, Legacy 2023 +1 more
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.
- 23V392000Jun 1, 2023Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCovers: Subaru Ascent 2023
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…
- 23V258000Apr 7, 2023TiresCovers: Subaru Ascent 2023
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.
Recall details for the 2023 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. 293 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.
- 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…
- 11037923Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to the WRH-26 certification label recall.
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
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2023 Subaru Ascent as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2023 Subaru Ascent is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (22% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 8.
Has the 2023 Subaru Ascent been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2023 Subaru Ascent do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 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 2023 Subaru Ascent get?
The EPA rates the 2023 Subaru Ascent (Ascent, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2023 Subaru Ascent reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,500 miles and the middle half falls between 14,000 and 25,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.