2021 Subaru ASCENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
102 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
3,164 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 102 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 21.6% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 13.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 13.7% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 14 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Steering | 6 |
Electrical System: 18; Power Train: 18; Unknown Or Other: 16; Visibility/Wiper: 14; Engine: 12; Lane Departure: Assist: 12; Service Brakes: 9; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 82 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2021: 26; 2022: 22; 2023: 14; 2024: 15; 2025: 12; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11436397 · 2021-10-12 (October 12, 2021)
When operating the 2021 Ascent, I experience intermittent problems at various shift-points in the CVT and at various RPMs. The transmission seems to shudder and slip between shift-points, and the shuddering sensation is so severe that it transfers up through the steering column and the steering wheel shakes. I have brought the vehicle to my dealership (Kocourek Subaru in Wausau), and they have acknowledged that the shuddering is taking place and even documented it in the 18K service invoice. They ran it through the protocols for NHTSA TSB 10…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466237 · 2022-05-26 (May 26, 2022)
The Transmission on the vehicle was exhibiting excessive noise when shifting from park to drive and was progressively becoming undrivable with odd shifting, hard shifting, RPM fluttering, and chugging. It made progressively louder audible sounds and squeaks during cold starts when shifting from park to drive. It was brought in for service and the original transmission was replaced due to metal shavings found in the case, a direct indication of failure, with no warning lamps or codes from the onboard computers. After approximately 500 miles, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476124 · 2022-07-27 (July 27, 2022)
I have a 2021 Subaru Ascent Premium with 6,000 miles. The Transmission or CVT feels odd every time i shift from Park to Drive or Reverse i feel a hard clunk additional to that every time i get in the Highway and add some RPMs to the SUV the CVT shifting feels Hard more likely like i m driving a Manual vehicle something that is not suppose to happen or feel that way. I took it to the dealer and they only found that the part that press tp brake to shift was not lubricated ( no clue the real name) and they also mention that is how the CVT works s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483829 · 2022-09-10 (September 10, 2022)
Car purchased in August 2021. Front brake rotors and pads were replaced around 7,600 miles and May 2022. They could not "cut" the rotors as they were pitted beyond being able to be cut. At 10,764 miles (August 8, 2022), the front rotors and pads were replaced again. The dealer stated the front pads had tiny chips in them and the R/F outer pad had a crack in it. The rotors also had excessive heat spots on them and small pits. The last few days the brakes have been pulsating lightly on hills and today have begun pulsating at every stop. Ca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389697 · 2021-01-24 (January 24, 2021)
MY WIFE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START IT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AT ONLY 1667 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,667 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395288 · 2021-02-08 (February 8, 2021)
AT 1667 MILES ON MY BRAND NEW SUBARU ASCENT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED WHILE MY WIFE WAS OUT SHOPPING. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO CHARGE TO ME, HOWEVER AT 1667 MILES THAT IS AN ISSUE. THERE IS A DEAD SUBARU ASCENT BATTERY CLUB THAT N FACEBOOK DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE AND LAWYERS STARTING TO GET READY FOR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,667 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399576 · 2021-03-07 (March 7, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426138 · 2021-07-23 (July 23, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11426138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472199 · 2022-07-03 (July 3, 2022)
Vehicle will jerk and shudder when accelerating and de-accelerating. Mostly between 15mph and 30mph. I’ve taken the vehicle back to the dealership and they didn’t find the issue. This prompted me to do some research online and found in one of many. There is a class action lawsuit for 2018-2019 Ascents. The 2020-2021 and 2022 models will follow suit as they have identical issues. I’m concerned the transmission will fail and I’ll have a lemon on my hands. The sudden loss of power to sometimes sudden acceleration by suddenly downshifting is a conc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729610 · 2026-04-07 (April 7, 2026)
Issue 1: Complete transmission failure was diagnosed by Subaru dealer March 24, 2026 at 5 years and 6 months after purchase with an odometer reading of 45,000 miles (drive train warranty 5 yrs/60,000 miles). Had to purchase and have installed a rebuilt Subaru transmission. First noticed transmission was slipping with a large load in vehicle May 2025 at 4 years and 8 months after purchase at about 40,000 miles on odometer. The issue was subsequently not noticed under typical load until slipping transmission signs reappeared December 2025. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729610 at NHTSA ↗