2024 Subaru Ascent Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2024 Ascent most often report a driver side mirror that vibrates or shakes, usually from the start of ownership and more so with speed. Less common are reports of driver-assist features such as EyeSight freezing or braking unexpectedly, and sudden loss of throttle response or shutdowns while driving. Most complaints do not give mileage, and the mirror problem is described as constant, while the driver-assist and power problems are described as sudden events.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Driver side mirror vibration or shaking

   • 29 complaints (57%)
   • typically at 0.8 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the driver side mirror glass or housing shaking and blurring the view, while the passenger side mirror is described as steady. Several say the dealer replaced the mirror glass or housing, but the vibration remained, and some were told there is no further repair available. Complaints describe the image blurring so that distance and speed of other vehicles are hard to judge, and some say they are uncomfortable relying on the mirror while driving. Many reports say the vibration appeared from the start of ownership and increases with speed, especially at highway speeds or on rough roads.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the service bulletin for driver side mirror glass vibration has been applied, and have the mirror checked on a highway-speed test drive. Ask for the repair records for the mirror, since owners report that replacement did not stop the vibration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving the side mirror on the driver’s side vibrates so much that it impairs the drivers ability to see anything in it. I have had the mirror replaced once and the replacement does the same thing. I was told by the dealership that it is a known issue without a solution.”

   NHTSA complaint #11628146, filed 2024-12

   “Driver's side mirror vibrates at highway speeds 55+ mph, so much so that images in the mirror are blurry and difficult to clearly make out distance and speed of other vehicles. Vehicle has not yet been in for service, but is scheduled at the end of October for the 6K mile service. I'll report it then and see what the dealer says. I've seen that this is reported by other owners without resolution, and now there is also a class action lawsuit filed in TX.”

   NHTSA complaint #11620864, filed 2024-10
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Driver-assist (EyeSight, automatic braking) faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe EyeSight driver-assist functions freezing or dropping out, including on highways, and a report says the steering wheel locked and a cruise control warning appeared as the system stopped. Other complaints describe automatic braking that did not stop the car when reversing, with the car continuing to accelerate, and uncommanded maximum braking that shut the vehicle down in traffic. A complaint says the dealer described the freezing as a known issue awaiting an update. The reports give no mileage; they describe the system freezing soon after purchase, on a highway, and while reversing or in traffic.

   What to check: Ask whether the driver-assist system has been checked for stored fault codes and whether any software update was installed, since complaints mention waiting for an update. Test the driver-assist functions on a road where it is safe to do so before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has lost eyesight too many times while am driving on high way so steering wheel locked, adater,cruise control sign appears together .just a second my family had almost died due to vacation time in august,2025.I cant believe that is brand new Subaru Ascent touring 2024 I purchased from march ,2024. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685769, filed 2025-09

   “Eye sight freezing when car purchased brand new. I was told that this was a known Issue. Radio freezing and then resuming at blaring volume, I was told that this was a known issue and Subaru was waiting for an update. Burning smell from car when purchased, notified dealer, smell did not go away. I was told that this was normal. Starling freezing and not working, this was a service that I paid for, I was told that this was a known issue and was waiting for an update. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11609291, filed 2024-08
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Sudden loss of power, shudder or shutdown

   Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the accelerator not responding at about 45 mph, even with the pedal pressed to the floor, and the engine shutting off while pulling up to a drive-through window, with power steering lost until the vehicle was stopped. Other reports describe a shudder when leaving a driveway, and a high-voltage and low-voltage shutdown in traffic. In some cases owners restarted the car to regain control, and no warning lights were shown. The reports give no mileage; the events described include loss of throttle response at about 45 mph on a public road, a stop at a drive-through, and a shudder when leaving a driveway.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the seller whether there are records of any power loss, hesitation, or shutdown events, and whether the diagnostic procedure for reduced acceleration in the service bulletin has been done. On a test drive, check throttle response from a stop and under load, and note any warning messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle was being driven on a public road, going roughly 45mph. I felt a very harsh studder/clunk and completely lost responsiveness from the accelerator. There was no throttle response even pumping the pedal all the way to the floor. I was able to coast to a parking area and make a safe stop. Once I was stopped, I turned the car off, back on again, and it got me the rest of the way home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11635744, filed 2025-01

   “On 9-May, 2026, the vehicle was driven during the morning with no warning lights or indication of component failure. Vehicle was parked on the owner's driveway at approximately 13:00. Approximately 15:40 I started the Ascent’s engine, let it idle for about 60 seconds, buckled up and scanned dashboard and rearview mirror. No warning lights or any fault indication. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11736826, filed 2026-05

Buying note. Ask for the repair history of the driver side mirror and any driver-assist software updates, and confirm whether the mirror service bulletin was applied. A test drive at highway speed, with the mirror and the driver-assist functions checked, is a practical step before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 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.