2023 Subaru Ascent Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 7%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, 7% of the 45 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, 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.
“The warning lights on the car flashed and the car shut down. I was on the highway. I called 911 and they told me to quickly and safely exit the car. Less than a minute later, the engine combusted and the car was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11649273, filed 2025-03“Only 3500 miles on new 2023 Subaru ASCENT and it won t start. I have had to give it a boost four times already, anytime I need to use it. I check to make sure there are no lights left on. Just staying parked from one day to the next and it won t start. I have an appointment at the dealer service dept. at 1:45 pm o June 5th, 2023, for them to hopefully resolve the problem. I'll have to give it boost to start the car and drive 125 miles to the dealer. Hope the car makes it there. On your website, the 2019, 2020and 2021 models had a recall for the battery draining because of faulty wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11525200, filed 2023-06“2023 Subaru Ascent, under manufacturer basic warranty. Factory OEM battery has repeatedly failed. Voltage drops below 11.5V in normal use. Three documented failures in six weeks. SAFETY INCIDENT: Vehicle died on a public street and became completely immobilized. Brake warning light activated. Vehicle would not move even after a jump start. Passengers had to exit in a live traffic lane. A second vehicle was used to transport a replacement battery. The original battery is in my possession and available for inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #11733168, filed 2026-04Related service bulletins
- 11037946Sep 29, 2026This Bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
- 11036811Aug 20, 2026This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11034269Jun 30, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11034264Jun 26, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11034257Jun 23, 2026This bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup.
- 11034243Jun 3, 2026This bulletin announces the design change made to the exhaust manifold flange nut material that has been changed from stainless steel to medium carbon steel. This change also…
- 11034237Jun 1, 2026"This bulletin provides a new diagnostic procedure for vehicles equipped with a Denso CP 1, 1.5 and 2.5 head units to provide an enhanced version of the troubleshooting steps for…
- 11033065May 13, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11033051May 1, 2026This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT)…
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2023 Subaru Ascent
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 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