Reliable Auto DB

2019 Subaru Ascent reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Subaru Ascent holds 441 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 94 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 6 Ascent years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Labels, Interior under-dash wiring, and Transmission control module.

2019 Subaru Ascent
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

441

Per year

94

Recalls

9

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (160 of 441), then Powertrain (88) and Visibility and wipers (66). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2020

The 2020 Ascent has 322 complaints, 80 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Subaru Ascent. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall Labels 2026-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 26V436000
Summary 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Remedy Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Recall electrical system, wiring, interior under-dash wiring 2022-12-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V907000
Summary 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 ground terminal and surrounding components.
Remedy Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2021-12-09 · NHTSA campaign 21V955000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Remedy Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.
Recall Fuel pump 2021-07-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V587000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Recall Fuel pump 2020-04-16 · NHTSA campaign 20V218000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
Recall engine and cooling, exhaust system, emission control, PCV system 2019-12-02 · NHTSA campaign 19V856000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2019-12-02 · NHTSA campaign 19V855000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.
Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.
Recall Driveshaft 2019-07-10 · NHTSA campaign 19V519000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.
Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.
Recall structure, body, roof and pillars 2018-08-02 · NHTSA campaign 18V508000
Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.
Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTU-80.

Complaints by component (441 total)

Electrical system
160
Powertrain
88
Visibility and wipers
66
Engine
47
Service brakes
26
Fuel and propulsion system
16
Visibility
15
Structure
12
Forward collision avoidance
11
Suspension
11
Air bags
7
Exterior lighting
7
Steering
7
Speed control
5
Wheels
4
Latches, locks, and linkages
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Lane departure
2
Seat belts
2
Tires
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Parking brake
1
Seats
1
Traction control
1
Show 18 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

5201857201911320201062021792022362023152024152025152026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Subaru of America has a Bulletin out that changes the front suspension arms for both front ends. The dealership made this correction and now the front end rattles like there are loose parts. Dealership says they don’t…"
    Suspension, Powertrain, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-06
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Accent. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the hood was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The…"
    Structure · filed 2026-09-04
  • "Immediately after pushing the lift gate release button on the dash, a loud and constant alarm tone began. The gate would then not open using the button on the dash, remote, or handle on the exterior of the lift gate…"
    Structure, Latches, locks, and linkages · filed 2026-08-19
  • "The vehicle has 178k miles on it currently. I had to have a transmission and transfer case replaced at 68k miles. Done by Subaru. At 168k miles I had to have a new front pump in the transmission case replaced. Repair…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-14
  • "All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Ascent 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Ascent Limited/Touring 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S8) All-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

1st generation (BT), 2019–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.4L turbo; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 5.4 qt capacity
Tire size 245/50R20, 245/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 22V907000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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 ground terminal and surrounding components. A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Next year 2020 Subaru Ascent See every Subaru Ascent model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Subaru Ascent holds 441 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 94 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 6 Ascent years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Labels, Interior under-dash wiring, and Transmission control module.

What are common problems with a 2019 Subaru Ascent?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (160 of 441), then Powertrain (88) and Visibility and wipers (66). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Ascent has 322 complaints, 80 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Subaru Ascent been recalled?

The 2019 Subaru Ascent has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Subaru Ascent?

Owners have filed 441 complaints about the 2019 Subaru Ascent with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Subaru Ascent get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Subaru Ascent is 22.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Ascent use?

The Ascent 2.4L turbo US manual specifies 0W-20 synthetic, with 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

When did the Subaru Ascent launch in the US?

The first US Ascent model year is 2019 (1st generation / BT).

What tire sizes does a Subaru Ascent use?

Common US sizes include 245/60R18 and 245/50R20 depending on trim.