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Subaru · Midsize / large SUV

2023 Subaru Ascent

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
73 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA44
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA22 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2023 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 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 44 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
AscentGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo202622$2,850
Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo192521$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45854, 45855.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Subaru Ascent is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

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.
▲high

Power Train

WRN-23
4,311 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskSeparation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V647000reported Sep 21, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Suspension

WRJ-23
5 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskBall joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V392000reported Jun 1, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Tires

WRH-23
4,409 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskA damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V258000reported Apr 7, 2023Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
44complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 8

Most-cited components

Service Brakes10
Forward Collision Avoidance10
Unspecified8
Visibility/Wiper6
Tires4
Electrical System4

What owners describe

“Windshield is delicate and very easily chipped. Windshield has three different chips from 4000 miles of paved road driving. Small chips have quickly spread into long cracks across the windshield.”Aug 12, 2024 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“The heated seats do not heat. They are luke warm and you can barely feel any heat. I took the vehicle to my local Subaru dealer and they determined there was no issue. Was told the seats are not suppose to get hot. So what is the point of heated seats then? There are several online groups for Subaru where owner discuss…”Jan 30, 2024 · Seats · NHTSA owner report
“Brakes have been replaced once and serviced once afterwards. The vehicle now needs the brakes serviced again. This will be the third time taking the vehicle in for this problem. I am unsure if the vehicle is safe to drive. The only trip I am now planning is back to the dealership to have the brakes done. Again.”Jan 3, 2024 · Service Brakes · 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
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover 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

A

2027 Subaru Ascent

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2024 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 50 complaints

B

2022 Subaru Ascent

2 recalls · 55 complaints

B

2021 Subaru Ascent

2 recalls · 102 complaints

F

2020 Subaru Ascent

5 recalls · 321 complaints

F

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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