2023 Subaru Ascent
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 10 of 44 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 55 in 2022 to 44 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–21 / 26–27 | 20–21 / 26–27 | 19–20 / 25–26 | 19–20 / 25–26 | 19–20 / 25–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–401 | 384–401 | 398–419 | 398–419 | 398–419 | |
| Complaints filed | 102 | 55 | 44 | 50 | 14 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| 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 2023 Subaru Ascent have?
4 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 2023 Subaru Ascent?
Brakes: 10 of 44 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA rates it 21–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Subaru Ascent?
EPA estimates $2,850–$2,950 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 | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 398 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 419 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 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 (4)
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · Campaign 23V647000 · Sep 22, 2023
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 23V392000 · Jun 1, 2023
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Consequence: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23.
TIRES · Campaign 23V258000 · Apr 10, 2023
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
Consequence: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.