2025 Subaru Ascent
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 4 of 14 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more fire reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 50 in 2024 to 14 in 2025.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2025 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–20 / 25–26 | 19–20 / 25–26 | 19–20 / 25–26 | 19 / 25–26 | 19 / 25–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 398–419 | 398–419 | 398–419 | 405–421 | 405–421 | |
| Complaints filed | 44 | 50 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 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 2025 Subaru Ascent have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2025 Subaru Ascent?
Visibility & Lighting: 4 of 14 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA rates it 21–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 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 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
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.