The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 20 of 105 complaints (19%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 324 in 2020 to 105 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 105
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,700–$2,850
- Combined MPG
- 22–23
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 19–20 / 25–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 387–401 | 386–401 | 386–401 | 384–401 | 398–419 | |
| Complaints filed | 443 | 324 | 105 | 56 | 46 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 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 2021 Subaru Ascent have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 20 of 105 NHTSA complaints (19%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 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 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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 (2)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- 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 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
- 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.