2023 Subaru ASCENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 44 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 29.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Service Brakes: 10; Unknown Or Other: 8; Visibility/Wiper: 6; Electrical System: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 4; Tires: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 43 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2022: 1; 2023: 16; 2024: 11; 2025: 8; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 11520151 · 2023-05-02 (May 2, 2023)
I own a Subaru 2023 Ascent ([XXX]) that I purchased in December 2022. Since I got the car, the car has been nothing but a headache and has been full of issues. The car was making a squeaking noise from the break from the day we got it. I took it to the dealer (within a month, 600 miles), and after a few times going to them, they suggested it had poor brake pads. As per their recommendation, the dealer changed the brake pads. After driving another 1000 miles, the bolt of calipers came off in the middle of the road, and the car started making st…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11520151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522102 · 2023-05-15 (May 15, 2023)
I attempted to make a U-turn with the steering wheel fully turned to the left. When I accelerated, the car took off and went straight into the curb. It did so by “plowing” or what is referred to as severely undesteering - which forced the front right face of the wheel into the curb, breaking the wheel off. The vehicle continued accelerating for another 50 feet (as can be seen in the photographs) when the engine gradually and audibly died down and came to a stop. The brakes were no longer functioning properly at that time while sinking to the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525200 · 2023-06-03 (June 3, 2023)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568741 · 2024-01-30 (January 30, 2024)
The heated seats do not heat. They are luke warm and you can barely feel any heat. I took the vehicle to my local Subaru dealer and they determined there was no issue. Was told the seats are not suppose to get hot. So what is the point of heated seats then? There are several online groups for Subaru where owner discuss issues with their vehicles and give advice. There are many customers who are complaining about the same thing. (Seat being luke warm). Then there are other customers who say their seats get super hot on the same model vehicle. I …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11653574 · 2025-04-09 (April 9, 2025)
Formal Complaint Summary (VIN: [XXX] ) I am submitting this formal complaint concerning a 2023 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Limited (VIN: [XXX] ), which continues to experience brake-related safety defects despite recall repairs and repeated service attempts during the warranty period. Subaru of America issued Service Bulletin 06-92-24 in July 2024, which extended warranty coverage and acknowledged systemic issues with front brake components, specifically brake pulsation, squealing, pedal softness, and vibration. Subaru developed new components …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11653574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11753964 · 2026-07-31 (July 31, 2026)
The vehicle exhibited transmission slippage but did not provide any warning lights or other symptoms . About 100 miles later, the Automatic Transmission Oil light came on (flashing YELLOW), and all other systems light up (both Yellow and Red) disabling front collision, auto vehicle hold, RAB, etc. Pulled to a safe location and left in park for 10-15 minutes per guidance. Had towed to dealer to determine issue, transmission failure on a 3.5 yr old vehicle with 80,019 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11753964 at NHTSA ↗