2021 Subaru Ascent Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2021 Subaru Ascent, and owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2021 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…
102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 13,775 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 26 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“After my husband replaced the 12V battery in my 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring ($90,000, fully paid off), Apple CarPlay stopped connecting via USB entirely. Android Auto and Bluetooth continued working fi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 31, 2026 · Electrical system
“My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to ca”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 28, 2026 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Subaru Ascent
How do I know if my 2021 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2021 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 22V907000).
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.