Subaru Ascent electrical problems, 2019–2027
289 of the 1,033 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Ascent 2019–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (160), 2020 (101), 2021 (18). Filed under the same heading across these years: 8 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Ascent electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 18 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 2 | 13% | — | 64 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 8% | — | 129 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% | — | 169 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 177 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 18 | 18% | — | 209 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 101 | 31% | 6k | 289 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 160 | 36% | 11k | 335 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 16 · 2020: 83 · 2021: 98 · 2022: 48 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 11
Across the model years, half of the 137 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 4,000 and 16,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Rear hatch does not fully close occasionally. This is only noted by the hatch appearing open and the battery being completely drained and dead. On two occasions I have closed the hatch with the on-door button and came back to find the hatch slightly ajar and the battery completely dead
Issue #1: transmission. Starting around 8000 miles, a loud squealing sound would occur periodically during automatic shifting. At first it was only while obtaining highway speeds and later it would happen at city street speeds. The squealing sound would be accompanied by a shuttering feeling as well.
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
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V9070000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 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.
8 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces the availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0014, P0024, P0128, P2109. If any of the DTCs listed above are found to be stored in the ECM, follow the procedures outlined in the bulletin. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2023Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 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.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 13, 2026
- 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.)
- Article Locator Other 2026Aug 5, 2026
- Techtips newsletter locator index.
- Aug 1, 2026
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Ascent
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Ascent problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Ascent years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 160; 2020, 101; 2021, 18. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (36%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Subaru Ascent?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 22V907000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Subaru Ascent?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 9,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 16,000. 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.