Subaru Ascent: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Subaru Ascent years to approach with the most caution are 2019. The strongest years in our data are 2023 and 2024. Below is every model year we cover (2019–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Subaru Ascent year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Recommended 7 Isolated reports of unexpected power loss or unresponsive acceleration with no warning lights.; Driver-side mirror vibrates badly at highway speed and over rough roads, blurring rear vision; dealers call it a known issue with no fix yet. Full report ↗
2023 Recommended 7 Brake pulsation, vibration and squealing from early rotor warping; some owners report repeat brake work.; Windshield chips spread into cracks from minor rock strikes or temperature swings.; EyeSight forward-collision system brakes erratically on the highway and occasionally disables itself. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 7 CVT shuddering, slipping and delayed acceleration still reported by some owners, occasionally in daily driving.; Brake rotors warp and pads wear early; technicians note the brakes are undersized for the vehicle weight.; Engine and cooling complaints including oil leaks and cracked exhaust components. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 6 CVT loses power, slips or hesitates; some owners report failures with no warning lights, addressed by transmission recalls.; Battery drains rapidly when parked, leaving the vehicle dead after short idle periods.; Windshield cracks spontaneously or spreads from minor chips, sometimes needing repeat replacement. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 5 CVT shudders, slips and can fail outright, with some owners reporting repeat failures after warranty repairs.; Engine oil leaks, sludge buildup and PCV-valve failures, in some cases leading to engine replacement.; Battery drain and electrical faults affecting power steering and other systems. Full report ↗
2019 Avoid 4 CVT loses power during acceleration with sudden harsh re-engagement; chain-slip can break the drive chain, the subject of major recalls.; Engine and exhaust issues including startup smoke, cabin fumes and exhaust-line failures; PTC heater ground-bolt overheating prompted a fire recall.; Widespread parasitic battery drain discharges the battery after minimal use or overnight, often hard for dealers to diagnose. Full report ↗

Subaru Ascent problems by year

2024 Subaru Ascent Recommended

Mature, dependable Ascent whose main gripe is a known highway-speed driver-mirror vibration (cosmetic, no fix released yet) rather than mechanical faults. Excellent safety, standard AWD and 5,000-lb towing make it a strong late-model three-row pick.

  • Isolated reports of unexpected power loss or unresponsive acceleration with no warning lights.
  • Driver-side mirror vibrates badly at highway speed and over rough roads, blurring rear vision; dealers call it a known issue with no fix yet.

2023 Subaru Ascent Recommended

One of the better used Ascents: few serious complaints beyond brake wear, easily-chipped windshields and an occasionally intrusive EyeSight system. Top safety ratings, standard AWD and strong towing make it a dependable family three-row.

  • Brake pulsation, vibration and squealing from early rotor warping; some owners report repeat brake work.
  • Windshield chips spread into cracks from minor rock strikes or temperature swings.
  • EyeSight forward-collision system brakes erratically on the highway and occasionally disables itself.

2022 Subaru Ascent Caution

A more settled Ascent: the early CVT troubles are largely behind it, leaving mostly undersized-brake wear and easily-chipped windshields. Standard EyeSight safety, AWD and 5,000-lb towing make it a solid three-row value with routine upkeep.

  • CVT shuddering, slipping and delayed acceleration still reported by some owners, occasionally in daily driving.
  • Brake rotors warp and pads wear early; technicians note the brakes are undersized for the vehicle weight.
  • Engine and cooling complaints including oil leaks and cracked exhaust components.

2021 Subaru Ascent Caution

Reliability is clearly improving: CVT complaints drop sharply versus 2019-2020, though brakes, windshields and over-eager lane-centering remain. Standard AWD, 5-star safety and strong towing make a well-serviced 2021 a reasonable family pick.

  • CVT loses power, slips or hesitates; some owners report failures with no warning lights, addressed by transmission recalls.
  • Battery drains rapidly when parked, leaving the vehicle dead after short idle periods.
  • Windshield cracks spontaneously or spreads from minor chips, sometimes needing repeat replacement.

2020 Subaru Ascent Caution

Second-year Ascent is improved but still carries notable CVT failures and engine oil/PCV complaints, plus battery-drain and undersized-brake issues. Crash safety and standard AWD are excellent; buy only with records showing the transmission recalls were performed.

  • CVT shudders, slips and can fail outright, with some owners reporting repeat failures after warranty repairs.
  • Engine oil leaks, sludge buildup and PCV-valve failures, in some cases leading to engine replacement.
  • Battery drain and electrical faults affecting power steering and other systems.

2019 Subaru Ascent Avoid

Launch-year Ascent has the segment’s roughest record: widespread CVT shudder and chain-slip (a crash-risk recall), heavy parasitic battery drain, and early engine and PTC-heater fire concerns. Strong safety scores cannot offset the reliability risk; later years are far safer buys.

  • CVT loses power during acceleration with sudden harsh re-engagement; chain-slip can break the drive chain, the subject of major recalls.
  • Engine and exhaust issues including startup smoke, cabin fumes and exhaust-line failures; PTC heater ground-bolt overheating prompted a fire recall.
  • Widespread parasitic battery drain discharges the battery after minimal use or overnight, often hard for dealers to diagnose.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Subaru models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.