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Subaru · Midsize / large SUV

2021 Subaru Ascent

Gas

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

82 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical2

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA102

Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Ascent, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 102 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Ascent	Gas	AWD	2.4L 4-cyl turbo	21	27	23	$2,700
Ascent Limited/Touring	Gas	AWD	2.4L 4-cyl turbo	20	26	22	$2,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42567, 42568.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

○minor

Equipment

WRH-26

541,237 vehicles

ProblemSubaru 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."RiskAn incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSubaru 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.

NHTSA campaign 26V436000reported Jul 7, 2026Subaru of America, Inc.

!critical

Electrical System

WRL-22

Park outside271,694 vehicles

ProblemSubaru 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.RiskA melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.FixOwners 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

NHTSA campaign 22V907000reported Dec 8, 2022Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

102complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 26 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 13

Most-cited components

Power Train19

Electrical System18

Lane Departure17

Unspecified16

Visibility/Wiper14

Engine12

What owners describe

“The Transmission on the vehicle was exhibiting excessive noise when shifting from park to drive and was progressively becoming undrivable with odd shifting, hard shifting, RPM fluttering, and chugging. It made progressively louder audible sounds and squeaks during cold starts when shifting from park to drive. It was br…”May 26, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

“It is actually the lane centering system. Even a gentle hand on the wheel, which is required, will gradually pull you to one side of the lane. When ever you lift your hand or when the car thinks you have gone to far one way or the other it will throw you into the other lane, into a car, motorcycle, semi, or even off a …”May 3, 2022 · Lane Departure · NHTSA owner report

“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 20 mph and making a slight right turn, the steering wheel did not respond and the vehicle drifted to the left and crashed into the guard rail. Prior to the incident the driver indicated the steering wheel felt wo…”Mar 30, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

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.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%

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

Other Ascent model years

2027 Subaru Ascent

0 recalls · 0 complaints

2026 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 1 complaints

2025 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 14 complaints

2024 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 50 complaints

2023 Subaru Ascent

4 recalls · 44 complaints

2022 Subaru Ascent

2 recalls · 55 complaints

2020 Subaru Ascent

5 recalls · 321 complaints

2019 Subaru Ascent

9 recalls · 441 complaints

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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

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

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