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Your vehicleHome›Subaru›Ascent› 2020
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Subaru · Large SUV

2020 Subaru Ascent

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
66 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 5
Complaints6 crash · 1 fire · 5 injured reported 324
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Ascent, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 324 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Subaru Ascent — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Subaru Ascent · Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
AscentGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo212723$2,900
Ascent Limited/TouringGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo202622$3,050

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41430, 41431.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Ascent, Ascent Limited/Touring3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.4 L

Engine Output

Horsepower260 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity8 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Limited 7+ES+KA, Limited 7+ES+KA+M/R+NAVI+H/K, Limited 8+ES+KA+M/R+NAVI+H/K, Premium 7+ES+KA). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length196.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.7 in
Height76.0 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Track, front64.6 in
Track, rear64.2 in
Curb weight4,420–4,570 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear54/46

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: Convenience 4-door SUV, Limited / Premier 4-door SUV, Touring 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2020 Ascent
Other years The 2027 Ascent Recalls Subaru recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Equipment

WRH-26
541,237 vehicles
Problem 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." Risk An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFInterim owner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V436000 reported Jul 7, 2026 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

WRL-22
Park outside 271,694 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. Fix 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 m
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V907000 reported Dec 8, 2022 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

WRL-21
1,305 vehicles 97% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V954000 reported Dec 9, 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

WRK-21
198,255 vehicles 97% reported repaired built Feb 22, 2018 – Jul 20, 2020
Problem 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. Risk An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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 Su
NHTSA campaign 21V955000 reported Dec 9, 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

WRG-21
175,968 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 reported Jul 29, 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Ascent

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Subaru publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Subaru’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 Subaru Ascent, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 Subaru Ascent

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Ascent →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
324complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

42 per 10,000 built · Subaru reported 76,961 Ascent built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 4 · 2020: 82 · 2021: 85 · 2022: 69 · 2023: 22 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 13 · 2026: 24

Most-cited components

Electrical System → 101
Visibility/Wiper 60
Power Train → 59
Unspecified 57
Engine 30
Service Brakes 26

In depth: electrical problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Battery has died three times since owning. Died in garage over night 3 on separate time and no I did not leave the doors open or lights on. I had to jump the car the first time. The second time it was a week later and did the same.
Electrical System May 13, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11324471
Raw fuel smell coming through vents when outside air is being used. More often this occurs when engine is warm and has been restarted (i.e. Short trip). Can experience the smell when the car is stationary or in motion. Smell is enough to cause headache.
Fuel/Propulsion System at 1,200 miles May 3, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11323106
Purchased a 2020 Subaru Ascent today. On the way home on the freeway my wife noticed the windshield had a crack in it that was not present at dealership. Upon further inspection when arriving home, there is a pitted area inside of the windshield on the drivers side
Visibility/Wiper Apr 26, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11322246
New 2020 Subaru Ascent limited. Heard clunking or weird sound from front suspension/struts on bumpy road or potholes
Suspension at 300 miles Apr 6, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11320281
Driving down the road the entire car started vibrating and felt wobbly when I got above 20mph. Pulled over to check tires and under the car, no obvious issues found. Turned off then back on the car, same issue above 20mph.
Power Train at 150 miles Mar 31, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11319814
Odometer: 1,289 miles vehicle was in motion on a city street, drove 3 miles away from home. Battery light came on, vehicle started to overheat and check coolant indicator came on. Opened hood to smoke and serpentine belt had shredded. Coolant was sprayed all over under the hood.
Engine at 1,289 miles Oct 9, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11267561

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Subaru itself: 34 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 39 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 44 per 100,000 built. Every Ascent model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 6k

miles, typically

Half the 137 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 3,000 and 13,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 90
10k–20k 27
20k–30k 8
30k–40k 3
40k–50k 2
50k–60k 0
60k–70k 3
70k–80k 0
80k–90k 1
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 3
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System516,0000.61×
Visibility/Wiper418,0001.14×
Unspecified184,000—
Power Train1625,0000.61×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2020-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: electrical system (0.61×), power train (0.61×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2019–2020 model years the Subaru Ascent ranks 21 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 0.61× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 10,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 2 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Subaru warranty extension (4) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 527
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-05
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 486 service bulletins, 41 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Power Train, Engine, Unknown Or Other.

  • 11037943 Other
    2026-10-05 · Electrical System
  • This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
  • 09-141-26 Service bulletin
    2026-09-29 · Engine
  • This Bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
  • 07-244-26 Service bulletin
    2026-09-29 · Electrical System
  • This Bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that occurs in a small number of unique cases.
  • 11037942 Other
    2026-09-28 · Power Train
  • This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
  • 13-109-26 Service bulletin
    2026-09-18 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
  • 11037930 Other
    2026-09-15 · Unknown Or Other
  • This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
  • 15-322-25R Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Electrical System
  • In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the infotainment audio system. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
  • 15-304-22R Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Electrical System
  • This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
B2A16
B2A16 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
B2255
B2255 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment4 bulletins
P0842Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
P2096
P2096 on Subaru →		After the catalyst, the mixture on bank 1 is reading lean.Engine2 bulletins · 1 owner report
B1610Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins
B2A20Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins
P0420
P0420 on Subaru →		The catalytic converter on bank 1 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Engine · Catalytic converter →2 bulletins
P0841
P0841 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →1 bulletin · 1 owner report
P0867
P0867 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →1 bulletin · 1 owner report
P1867Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →1 bulletin · 1 owner report
P2097
P2097 on Subaru →		After the catalyst, the mixture on bank 1 is reading rich.Engine2 bulletins
P2723Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →1 bulletin · 1 owner report

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Subaru Ascent failed the emissions check on 1.7% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 1.7%

failed emissions

3,025 initial inspections of 2,970 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 AscentEvery 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.7%2.2%3,022
Failed the safety inspection1.3%1.6%3,025
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.13%0.19%3,025
Miles driven a year11,8059,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer74,05762,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Ascent by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A* 0 0 22 mpg2026 A 1 3 22 mpg2025 A 1 15 22 mpg2024 A 1 51 22 mpg2023 C 4 45 22 mpg2022 B 2 56 Park outside2021 B 2 103 Park outside2020 this page D 5 324 Park outside2019 F 9 443 Park outside

Common questions about the 2020 Ascent

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 22V907000, covering Electrical System. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

NHTSA gave the 2020 Subaru Ascent 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (66/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

Across the 2 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 Subaru Ascent, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

Transport Canada measured it at 196.9 in long, 71.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 76.0 in tall, on a 113.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,420–4,570 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

Owners have filed 324 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent, most often about electrical system, visibility/wiper, power train. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 Subaru Ascent is 3 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Subaru Ascent?

The manufacturer has filed 527 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, most often covering electrical system, equipment, power train. The most recent is dated 2026-10-05. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 Subaru Ascent do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Subaru Ascent failed the emissions check on 1.7% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations2 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates2 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls5NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints324NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings1 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins527NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA10 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 Ascent The Ascent model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Subaru recall on file All campaigns filed against Subaru vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Ascent by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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