2020 Subaru Ascent Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2020 Subaru Ascent, and owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Labels (equipment)
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…
Remedy: 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,…
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Interior/under dash (electrical system) Park outside
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.
Remedy: 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…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
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.
Remedy: 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…
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Chain/belt (power train) and power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Remedy: 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…
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
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.
Remedy: 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…
322 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Ascent have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 12,487 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 85 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“After replacing tires I started hearing noises from rear wheel. I searched online and it appears there is an issue with wheel bearings on several Subaru models (see YOUTUBE video by FIXBOOK dated July”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 11, 2026 · Wheels
“Subaru has a known problem/design with their LED daytime running lamps on the Ascent model. Dealerships are seeing a high failure rate of these LED lights, and it is always with the left side headlamp”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 4, 2026 · Exterior lighting
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2020 Subaru Ascent (Ascent Limited/Touring). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 20–21 / 26–27 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
Compare Subaru Ascent model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Ascent model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | 9 | 441 |
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | 5 | 322 |
| 2021 Subaru Ascent | 2 | 102 |
| 2022 Subaru Ascent | 2 | 55 |
| 2023 Subaru Ascent | 4 | 45 |
| 2024 Subaru Ascent | 1 | 50 |
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | 1 | 15 |
| 2026 Subaru Ascent | 1 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2020 Subaru Ascent
How do I know if my 2020 Subaru Ascent has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2020 Subaru Ascent; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V587000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Forester6,498 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Crosstrek1,186 complaints
- WRX975 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.