2020 Subaru Ascent electrical problems
101 of the 322 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 289 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 101 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 40 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2026: 1
Half of the 51 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 3,000 and 11,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
322 complaints in all about the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 1 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Subaru Ascent electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The car has had a dead battery twice through three months of ownership. The first incident occurred when the car was a month and a half old and the battery was replaced by the dealer. The second incident occurred one month later but battery was recharged instead of replaced.
We purchased a new vehicle and within 400 miles the battery was completely dead. No lights were left on or nor was there any external drain on the battery. The vehicle was stationary and parked in our garage
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.
We received our new vehicle on 04/28/2020 - the vehicle sat for several days (5-7) without being used. On 05/09/2020 the battery was dead and the vehicle had to be jumped to start it. Brought the car to the service department, no defects were found in the battery or charging system
In feb my car battery was dead in morning after sitting in garage turned off and no doors or lights on. I had it jumped and took it to the dealer and they tested battery and it was fine. The second time it happened a week later same scenario I took it in and they tested battery and said it was bad battery.
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- Dec 8, 2022 · 271,694 vehicles
- 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.
289 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 15-308-23R Service bulletinAug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
B2A16 B2255 P0842 P2096 B1610 B2A20 P2097 B281C
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Subaru Ascent names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 58 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 101 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (31% of everything owners filed about it), and 289 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 22V907000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 6,000 miles; half of them between 3,000 and 11,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.