SUBARU ASCENT · model year

2020 SUBARU ASCENT

380 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020SUBARUASCENT carries 380 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 ASCENT is electrical system with 100 filings, followed by unknown or other (54) and power train (49). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2020 ASCENT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

380
Complaints
11
Crashes
2
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 SUBARU ASCENT — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

380 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM100
UNKNOWN OR OTHER54
POWER TRAIN49
VISIBILITY/WIPER48
ENGINE26
SERVICE BRAKES24
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD11
STRUCTURE:BODY8
SUSPENSION7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL5
AIR BAGS4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3

Recalls (4)

21V58700029/07/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

21V95500009/12/2021

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: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.

21V95400009/12/2021

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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 tor

22V90700008/12/2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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.

Recent Complaints

20260213ENGINE

Car has 82,000 miles, has been maintained and requires an engine replacement due to 'Sludge'. Reading a lot of forums that indicate this is a common situation with this make and model and likely due to manufacturer's defects.

20260211VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 miles an hour. Other times when I’m at a light or stop sign it hesitates also. I was told there was nothing wrong with it and they reprogrammed to transmission but it didn’t help at all.

20260211POWER TRAIN

I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 miles an hour. Other times when I’m at a light or stop sign it hesitates also. I was told there was nothing wrong with it and they reprogrammed to transmission but it didn’t help at all.

20260211LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 miles an hour. Other times when I’m at a light or stop sign it hesitates also. I was told there was nothing wrong with it and they reprogrammed to transmission but it didn’t help at all.

20260128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Although the NHTSA form does not include a transmission category, this complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent, which caused oil migration into the wiring harness and contamination of the Engine Control Module (ECM). This complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent. The vehicle has been inoperable since June 2025 due to a failure of the transmission secondary pressure sensor. This failure caused oil to migrate into the wiring harness and ultimately contaminated the Engine Control Module (ECM), rendering the vehicle undrivable. Authorized Subaru dealership Huberger Subaru in Colorado Springs documented the following: - Replacement of the transmission secondary pressure sensor - Replacement of the engine wiring harness - Check engine light returned after repair - Confirmed oil contamination of the ECM Despite repeated repairs and part replacements, the vehicle remains out of service for over seven month

20260112UNKNOWN OR OTHER

i purchased this vehicle from Northwest Chevrolet in McKenna, Wa on [XXX] and they did not disclose to me that there were open recalls prior to my purchase. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260112POWER TRAIN

Replaced front multi plate transfer clutch at 96,987 miles.

20260102POWER TRAIN

The CVT transmission has failed and been replaced three times despite proper maintenance. Subaru has replaced the transmission multiple times under warranty, but the failure continues to recur. •First CVT replacement at 50,542 miles •Second CVT replacement at 88,175 miles •Third CVT replacement at 92,832 miles This shows repeat failure, not wear-and-tear. It is a safety risk: The vehicle hesitates and loses power intermittently, which creates a safety risk when accelerating or merging into traffic. The most recent replacement is incorrectly listed as pan replacement.

20251212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent Issue: Cold weather software glitch If you are operating an Ascent or possibly other Subarus with the CVT in temperatures below -20F be certain to have either a small wrench or the appropriate size socket to loosen the ground clamp on the battery ground cable with you so you can employ what I call the magic Windows fix wherin one completely de-powers the system and reboots it. With all the ridiculous interconnections, if the CVT temperature sensor thinks the tranny is too cold the cars operating system looses it mind and goes completely bonkers. Subaru obviously did no cold weather testing. We have had 2 failures in cold weather. It only happens at temperatures well below the-20F range. The first case happened last year while driving after being stopped for a couple of hours. Everything seemed normal and then suddenly several warning lights came on and all of the safety systems and the eyesight system shut down. The car ran and drove, but none of the asso

20251105ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine service, where it was discovered that the cam carrier was leaking from the engine. While having an oil change, the mechanic informed the contact that there were no further leaks found. There were no warning lights illuminated. After driving and parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal odor of oil coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an overhaul of the engine was needed. While driving, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Adventure Subaru (2269 N Henbest Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72704), who confirmed there was no recall coverage for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20251027SUSPENSION

Car is making loud noises while going over uneven roads. Only have 64,000 miles on it and I need to replace the struts.

20250724ENGINE

Unknown PCV valve failure caused catastrophic engine failure on interstate highway (70 mph speed limit). Luckily there was room to pull to the side and no one got hurt. This part was recalled in 2019 models due to possible loss of control from engine failure. Dealer tore down engine to determine cause for possible warranty coverage and found the PCV valve was the cause of engine failure. There were no warning lights or indications of any problems before this.

20250613SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the undercarriage while driving over bumps in the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front struts had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to TSB: 059024. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20250612POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal to make a turn, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,900.

Mileage: 61,900

20250612ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal to make a turn, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,900.

Mileage: 61,900

20250509EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The driver's side headlamp assembly (one complete piece, LED lighting) has a thin strip at the top that is used for daytime running lights. These are automatically on when the vehicle is on and it's not yet dark. In early 2024, this driver's side thin strip daytime running lights stopped working entirely. I've learned that the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced, rather than being able to just change out the daytime running component or replace a light bulb like one used to be able to do. I've taken the vehicle in for an estimate, and the Nashville, TN Subaru dealership quoted me about $1700 to replace the headlamp assembly, with nearly $1,000 of that being for the light itself, and the rest being labor. The technician at the Subaru dealership was aware of this problem, with many others coming into the shop for the same thing, and he advised complaining directly to Subaru. There are aftermarket options for $200 but the labor is still excessive. From researching online about h

20250502POWER TRAIN

My 2020 Subaru Ascent experienced a sudden failure of critical safety systems due to CVT fluid leaking through the transmission pressure switch into multiple electrical components. This fluid leak damaged several wire harnesses and the Engine Control Module (ECM). The check engine light came on and all Eyesight safety features disabled. Subaru has confirmed this will cost over $9,400 to repair. This issue appears to be related to known Subaru Technical Service Bulletins, including TSB 16-103-16R and TSB 02-170-17R, and matches the description in NHTSA Campaign WUV-07. Subaru of America has refused to fully cover the repair, even though my car is well maintained, has only 54,000 miles, and is just 4 months outside the powertrain warranty. This is not normal wear—it’s a serious defect that causes electronic failure and disables safety systems while driving.

20250402SEATS

The driver front seat bottom frame has came loose and rocks back and forth when driving, especially during start and stops. It was serviced and the dealer stated the movement comes from the side rails of the seat and is referenced via bulletin 12-288-20 stating its a known issue and the frame has been redesigned for this issue. After research, this seems to occur with a number of Subaru models, but the defect has not been covered by Subaru. The movement causes concern if an accident were to occur and should be considered a manufactures defect with replacement being covered by Subaru.

20250312SUSPENSION

Extreme rattle/clunking driving over bumps especially on dirt roads. Seems to be many people are having this issue. I know of another co worker who has a 2020 ascent making the same noise. Apparently there is a strut issue

20250219POWER TRAIN

Ever since our car went in for re-programing CVT drive chain it progressively has been having a problem of something slipping in drive and in cruise control. feels like a loss of power and a feeling chatter from transmission. Now when you put it in drive it makes a jerking noise. the thing is that we never had this problem until it went in for this recall. it's been back twice and they claim they can't find any problem but continues to get worse. it happens every time we drive it . just returned a 700 mile trip and it's very annoying. Also we do have an extended warranty.

Compare 2020SUBARUASCENT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT have?
The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has 380 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
Yes, the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The most-complained component for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 100 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.