2020 Subaru Ascent
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 101 of 321 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 441 in 2019 to 321 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 387–401 | 386–401 | 386–401 | 384–401 | |
| Complaints filed | 441 | 321 | 102 | 55 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 6 | 3 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 5 | 3 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Electrical: 101 of 321 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Subaru Ascent?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 401 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 101 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 26 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 17 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 58 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 26V436000 · Jul 8, 2026
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · Campaign 22V907000 · Dec 9, 2022
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT · Campaign 21V955000 · Dec 10, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · Campaign 21V954000 · Dec 10, 2021
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Consequence: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 21V587000 · Jul 30, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.