2021 Subaru ASCENT: complaints, problems and recalls

OUR WINDSHIELD ALREADY HAS NUMEROUS CHIPS AND ONE CRACK THAT WE REPAIRED. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE WINDSHIELD IS VERY BRITTLE. WE HAVE HAD SOME WINTER WEATHER LATELY SO THERE WAS EXCESSIVE JUNK IN THE ROAD AND SAND BUT OUR OTHER VEHICLES HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME ISSUES.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386399 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2021 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT MID LEVEL SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD INFORMED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD RIGHT ABOVE FRAME. OVER TIME, THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE MIDDLE RIGHT BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED SPORT SUBARU SOUTH (9951 ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) WHERE T…

Owner-reported narrative. 360 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387201 at NHTSA ↗

THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR NEW SUBARU ASCENT TOURING 2021 JUST CRACKED ON ITS OWN ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CRACK IS NOW ABOUT 10IN AND KEEPS GETTING LONGER((

Owner-reported narrative. 3,187 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389020 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, STARTING AT THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER AND SPREADING 2-5 INCHES PER DAY. NO IMPACT POINT IN WINDSHIELD.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398433 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

THE LANE ASSIST FEATURE (ONLY AN OPTION WHEN USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL; NOT THE SAME AS LANE CENTERING WHEN NOT USING THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL [THE BASICS LANE CENTERING WORKS JUST FINE]) SEEMS OVERLY AGGRESSIVE. EACH TIME I HAVE USED LANE ASSIST WITH CRUISE CONTROL, IT JERKS THE CAR VERY ABRUPTLY AT TIMES, ALMOST TO THE EXTENT OF SENDING IT INTO ANOTHER LANE IF I DO NOT INTERVENE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE USING LANE ASSIST, SO I TURN IT OFF WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL. I AM VERY CONCERNED IT'S GOING TO CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED A…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403484 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2022-12-08 (December 8, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-07-07 (July 7, 2026)

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."

Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 24, 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.