NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Ascent. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Driver side window malfunctions intermittently. When raining, slow to go down or up, also skips as it goes up and down.
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN. GETTING BACK INTO MY CAR I NOTICED A CRACK THAT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE THAT WENT TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD.
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE LATE MAY 2020, AND I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 7/25/20, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO SOUND AT ALL FROM THE AUDIO SYSTEM - RADIO, NAVIGATION, VOICE COMMANDS, ETC. WERE ALL MUTE. I REBOOTED THE RADIO BY HOLDING DOWN THE POWER BUTTON UNTIL IT RESTARTED, BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE, DESPITE MULTIPLE REBOOTS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE EACH DAY ON 7/26 AND 7/27, AND THE AUDIO DID NOT COME BACK. ON 7/29/20, I PLANNED TO CALL THE DEALER TO REPORT THE ISSUE. WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS KEPT IN MY GARAGE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. AS SOON AS I TRIED TO START THE CAR, THE TAILGATE BEGAN BEEPING, AND THEN THE HEADLAMPS FLICKERED RANDOMLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL IN THE VEHICLE, AND I AM UNABLE TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CAR OR OPEN THE TAILGATE, EVEN MANUALLY. THERE WERE NO DOORS LEFT OPEN, NO LIGHTS LEFT ON - THE BATTERY SIMPLY DIED.
DANGEROUS AUTOMATIC BACK UP BRAKES APPLY WHEN NOT NEEDED WHEN BACKING UP A TRAILER ON INCLINE (DRIVEWAY FOR INSTANCE). THIS CAN ONLY BE DISABLED BY FINDING THE DISABLE BUTTON ON THE VIDEO INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, AND RE-ENGAGES AS SOON AS THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO DRIVE AS IS OFTEN NECESSARY IN THE BACK AND FORTH OF PARKING A TRAILER.
MY 2020 SUBARU ASCENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON 7/20/2020. IT STARTED IN THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE. I HEARD A TICK LIKE A ROCK HIT IT BUT THERE WAS NOT A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX. 70 MPH, I94 WB BEFORE THE MOORLAND BLVD EXIT. (UPHILL) THERE IS A VERY SMALL ORIGIN AREA - IT IS UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. HARDLY WHERE A ROCK COULD IMPACT WHILE MOVING. WE JUST BOUGHT IT LATE MARCH 2020 - WE HAVE ABOUT 1250 MILES ON IT. I AM TRYING TO WORK WITH SUBARU, I STOPPED BY THE DEALER AND THEY TOOK PICTURES TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM. THE SERVICE DEPT MGR DID NOT THINK IT WOULD BE ACCEPTED SO I WANT TO FILE THIS CLAIM AS WELL.
This car is having constant problems with the battery failing. It especially fails when we are going to any type of trip where packing the car is a process that takes time. The battery dies on us often and is unpredictable, leaving us stuck often. I bought this car because I want a RELIABLE car. At any moment we could be stuck somewhere with my kids. No warning comes on to prevent this from happening.
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A NOTICIBLE HIT TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE
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.
Right front camera is blocked by plastic since manufacture. The adaptive cruise control and forward emergency braking do not work reliably unless the object is the left visual field. My car will accelerate into a car in front with no emergency braking. No accident. so far, because I have been able to avoid accidents by braking myself. The problem was diagnosed by Diablo Subaru of Walnut Creek. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by a Subaru dealership. The car tells me it cannot see the car in front. It also says it cannot see anything on haphazard basis. But it will also accelerate toward cars in front of it at close range because it cannot see.
FOUND AROUND 1 INCH OF WATER SETTING UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT OF OUR 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TOURING, WITH ONLY 2500 MILES ON IT, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR DAYS WITH RAIN STORMS. WIFE NOTICES A SLOSHING SOUND WHILE SHE DROVE IT 1 MILE AND BACK HOME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT, BUT COULDN'T INITIALLY FIND THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLAINT OF A WATER LEAK PRIOR, WITH NO DEALER ACTION. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF LOOKING, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A MISSING OR POORLY INSTALLED GROMMET ON THE FIRE WALL AROUND THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CARPET AND PUTTING IN A NEW WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WOULD INDICATE A POTENTIAL FOR MOLD AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES DUE TO POOR GROMMET INSTALLATION ON THE FIREWALL. IF THIS VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SITTING OUTSIDE, THE ISSUE WOULDN'T OF BEEN FOUND FOR A LONG TIME, CAUSING MOLD AND POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL SAVE LIVES AND KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY, IF THEY CHECK THEIR FIREWALL GROMMETS FOR POOR INSTALLATION.
FYI: REPORT IS BEING SUBMITTED BY CO-OWNER IN NC. REPORTED INCIDENT OCCURRED IN FLORIDA. AT AROUND 20,000 MILES THE DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES. AT THE END OF THE COMMUTE TO WORK, APPROX 55 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR AND NO GEAR WOULD ENGAGE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE REMAINING 500 METERS TO WORK. CAR WAS TOWED TO SUBARU AND AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA THE TECHNICIANS AND SUBARU OF AMERICA DECIDED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT TIME OF REPORT. TIME MAY TELL IF THIS IS A MORE WIDESPREAD ISSUE OR SIMPLY A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. *TR
BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD TWICE AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CRACK GREW FROM A PIN HEAD SIZED CRACK TO APPROXIMATELY 24 INCHES WITHIN 72 HOURS; FROM THE LOWER SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP LOCATED AT 13000 BROADWAY EXT, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73114, (888) 667-8741 AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,400.
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. WENT TO VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE PERSONAL ITEM AND THEN NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ORIGINATING ON THE LOWER RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED THE INCIDENT. CRACK WAS NOT APPARENT EARLIER IN THE DAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OCEAN SUBARU OF FULLERTON (1100 S EUCLID ST, FULLERTON, CA 92832), AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY A ROCK AND WAS TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,340.
Pretty much from day 1, Ascent smells of gasoline in the cabin after parking the car either inside or outside, shade or shine, hot or cold, day or night, flat or not surface.. after having parked it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a quick trip or a long one, it can still happen after parking. Fumes come out of the vents up front. The concerning part is we have a toddler, which I suspect the NHTSA would have an issue breathing in hydrocarbons, let alone any passenger. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does it lasts a solid five minutes or so. Mentioned to Subaru at time of CVT recall, not even mentioned they checked it out on my paperwork. I even waited to say anything until our car was broken in and all possible lube/other off-gassing components to stabilize.
V1.THE BATTERY DIED WITHIN 6 MONTHS 4 TIMES :FIRST TIME AUG. 21. 2020 , THAN DEC. 03.2021 , DEC 24.2021 AND JAN.04.2021 2.THE STEREO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY SOUND CUTTING OFF FREQUENTLY. 3.BREAK PROBLEM. BEFORE 6 MONTHS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ARE STILL MAKING GRINDING UNUSUAL NOISE. EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE NO IMPROVEMENT. ACTUAL BREAK ACTION NOT CONSISTENT AND NOT RELIABLE SAVE. 4.THE AC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY - KICKS IN EVEN WHEN IN HEATING MODE. IN USING THE REMOTE START THE AC KICKS IN IMMEDIATELY AND CHANGING THE SETTINGS WILL NOT HELP. 5.THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM? INSTEAD OF BEING A SAFETY FEATURE IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM FEATURE. BECAUSE IT IS NOT RELIABLE MAKES SAFE DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT ? AND WE HAD CONSIDERED THIS SYSTEM AS A PLUS WHEN DECIDING ON SUBARU ASCENT. 6.PROBLEMS WITH TRUNK OPENING ? SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK WITH KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE ? HAS TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. 7.OIL LEVEL SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. 8.THE VIN NUMBER WAS LISTED TO HAVE A RECALL ? BUT WHEN CHECKING IT OUT IT SHOWED 0 RECALLS. WE CONSIDER THIS VERY STRANGE. 9.AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER, WE ARE TOLD THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE ? BUT ONE OR TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS SHOW UP AGAIN. 10.BLUETOOTH SYSTEM KEEPS DELETING PHONES. 11.RPM GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. 12.MPG INDICATION NEVER CHANGES SHOWS ALWAYS SAME VALUE ? EVEN UNDER COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM FILING THIS CLAIM FOR MAY DAUGHTER [XXX] BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALSO THE PROBLEMS ARE ONGOING SINCE THE DATE LISTED BELOW INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
A LARGE CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2020 ASCENT, AND EXPANDED RAPIDLY OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW HOURS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2020. SUBARU WILL NOT COVER THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT SENSORS IS OVER $1,000 THROUGH SAFELITE. I'M CONCERNED THAT HAVING AN OUTSIDE COMPANY RE-CALIBRATE THE SENSORS WILL VOID THE WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY CLARIFICATION. MY DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD (AS THEY'VE INDICATED THIS MUST BE DONE BY A THIRD PARTY), AND CANNOT RE-CALIBRATE THE SENSORS FOR OVER A WEEK. THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY WINDSHIELD TO HAVE SUCH A LARGE CRACK, AS THERE ARE NO CHIPS VISIBLE AND I DO NOT RECALL ANYTHING STRIKING MY WINDSHIELD RECENTLY. *TR
I GOT IN MY CAR AND TOOK THE SUN SHADE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND FOUND A LARGE CRACK ACROSS IT. THE LAST TIME IT WAS DRIVEN (2 DAYS AGO) THERE WAS NO CRACK. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
THIS IS A NEW CAR IN COLORADO. AT 146 MILES, MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND WITHIN MINUTES, MY WINDSHIELD HAD A LONG CRACK. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY NINE IN CO, A FEW MILES FROM HOME. THERE WERE NO CARS AHEAD OR BEHIND OF ME AT ALL! *TR
IN FEB MY CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD IN MORNING AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE TURNED OFF AND NO DOORS OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD IT JUMPED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND IT WAS FINE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED A WEEK LATER SAME SCENARIO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TESTED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS BAD BATTERY. SO THE DEALER REPLACED IT AND IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE THIRD TIME NOW TODAY IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN EXCEPT THIS TIME MY CAR WAS BEEPING AT ME LIKE IF THE UNLOCK KEY FOB BUTTON HAD BEEN HIT BUT DOING IT EVERY FEW SECONDS. SO I WENT AND FOUND BOTH KEY FOBS AND THEY WEREN'T BEING DEPRESSED SO I TRIED TO UNLOCK DOOR MYSELF WITH KEY FOB AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND RED LIGHT ON FOB BLINKED EVERY TIME I TOUCHED IT BUT I WOULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH CAR SO I TRIED TO CLICK TAILGATE BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. SO I THEN WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. SO WE JUMPED IT AND LET IT RUN FOR TWENTY MINUTES AND DEALER WANTS US TO TAKE IT BACK BUT THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVEN'T HEARD IF THIS ISSUE WHEN I SEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
WE RECEIVED OUR NEW VEHICLE ON 04/28/2020 - THE VEHICLE SAT FOR SEVERAL DAYS (5-7) WITHOUT BEING USED. ON 05/09/2020 THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMPED TO START IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM. *TR
RAW FUEL SMELL COMING THROUGH VENTS WHEN OUTSIDE AIR IS BEING USED. MORE OFTEN THIS OCCURS WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND HAS BEEN RESTARTED (I.E. SHORT TRIP). CAN EXPERIENCE THE SMELL WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. SMELL IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE HEADACHE. DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE BUT THIS HAPPENED AS SOON AS I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER.
PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT TODAY. ON THE WAY HOME ON THE FREEWAY MY WIFE NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK IN IT THAT WAS NOT PRESENT AT DEALERSHIP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WHEN ARRIVING HOME, THERE IS A PITTED AREA INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES ON FREEWAY, CAUSING BLURRED VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.
MY CAR FAILED TO START AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS. HOOKED BATTERY UP TO A PORTABLE JUMPER WHICH READ BATTERY AMPS AT 6.7. BATTERY JUMPED WITHOUT ISSUE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO KEPT THE CAR FOR 4+DAYS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER ADVISED ME TO LOCK MY CAR DOORS AS THAT COULD HELP TURN COMPUTERS OFF AND NOT DRAIN BATTERY. ANOTHER 2 MONTHS WENT BY AND MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE JUMPED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES IF IT SAT AND WASN'T DRIVEN FOR MORE THEN 3 DAYS OR IF I FORGOT TO LOCK IT. FINALLY ON THE MORNING OF 4/20/20 I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD YET AGAIN. THE CAR HAD BEEN LOCKED BUT NOT DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS. WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE PORTABLE CHARGER, THE AMPS READ 3.6. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF PER INSTRUMENT PANEL. JUMPED CAR AND TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR FOR 4+ DAYS AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS IT BAD. CURRENT MILEAGE ON CAR IS 6633.
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 30 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. IT WAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD IN BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTIONS EACH DAY. I DID NOT FIX IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19 FEARS. IN DECEMBER 2020 I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT HAD GROWN TO 1.5 FEET LONG.
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED LARGE CRACK SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE. NO NOTABLE INSTANCE OF A ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDOW WHILE IN MOTION. *TR
Since purchasing our 2020 Subaru Ascent, the transmission slips, resulting in a lengthy wait time until it revs to the next gear, and then there is a palpable "jolt" as the transmission appears to move into the next gear. In addition, when I press the gas pedal to accelerate, there is a definite hesitation before the car actually accelerates. Previously, we had brought the car in to the Subaru dealership for service regarding this issue, but Subaru indicated that there has not been a problem and they did not open the transmission to look at it. We are also concerned about transmission-related problems given the recent recall of the 2020 Subaru Ascent. We know this has a CVT transmission but in this case we know that this problem is not normal. (We have family members and friends with CVT transmissions.) We are bringing the 2020 Subaru Ascent in again this week, pointedly indicating these concerns with the transmission. Please advise.
NEW 2020 SUBARU ASCENT LIMITED. HEARD CLUNKING OR WEIRD SOUND FROM FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUTS ON BUMPY ROAD OR POTHOLES. *TR
BATTERY HAS DIED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING. DIED IN GARAGE OVER NIGHT 3 ON SEPARATE TIME AND NO I DID NOT LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN OR LIGHTS ON. I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS A WEEK LATER AND DID THE SAME. I HAD TO PURCHASE A LITHIUM BATTERY JUMP STARTER BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER CAR AND TO GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND. THE THIRD TIME WAS A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS UNLOADING THE CAR , TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE AND CAME BACK TO PULL CAR INTO GARAGE AND IT WAS DEAD. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME A RUN AROUND STATING I HAD LEFT THE EITHER A DOOR OPEN OR LIGHTS ON.WHICH REALLY TICKED ME OFF. PURCHASED NEW 3/30/2020. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE NOTICIED TINY DOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAMELBACK VW (1499 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 648-9181) AND THE MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENTIRE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND FELT WOBBLY WHEN I GOT ABOVE 20MPH. PULLED OVER TO CHECK TIRES AND UNDER THE CAR, NO OBVIOUS ISSUES FOUND. TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON THE CAR, SAME ISSUE ABOVE 20MPH. THE CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO GET UP THE TOW RAMP AND SMELLED AN ACRID ODOR THAT BOTH I AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTICED. MADE TERRIBLE SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM P THROUGH R TO D. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON PAVED ROADS GOING BACK HOME. THE CAR NOW HAS 150 MILES ON IT, BOUGHT IT 3 DAYS PRIOR NEW.
CAR WOULD NOT START, WAS DEAD, IT WAS IN THE GARAGE, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL TO ROLL IT OUT. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY JUMPED THE CAR AFTER GETTING IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP
The braking system on the vehicle does not operate as expected on the vehicle. As a result a vehicle that only has 40k miles on a daily driver, is on its 3 set of rotors, 2nd set of brake pads( i declined having them changed at the 40k service) and 2nd set of tires. The brakes have not functioned comparably to any other vehicle that I have driven. They grind and the vehicle shakes when stopping. The issue grows worse with the increase in speed. I spoke with the service manager at the dealership and he informed me that Subaru is aware of the issue and it is common for this vehicle. The service manager stated that the rotors and calipers for the vehicle are undersized for the curb weight and it is an ongoing issue with the vehicles. I have spent thousand on maintenance on a vehicle that is 2 years old, an unreasonable amount. On the service managers recommendation I reached out to Subaru about the issue and was given a $600.00 coupon and told there is nothing else they can do and my issue was reviewed at the "highest levels". As I drive the vehicle now, I feel that the braking system is inadequate and the vehicle does not handle in a safe manner. According to Subaru, my only recourse is to spent thousands of dollars each year I own the vehicle at their dealership changing brakes and rotors with every oil change. Unacceptable.
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON
JERKY ACCELERATION BETWEEN 35-50 MPH. CVT "SWITCHING GEARS" UP AND DOWN. NOTICED AT 600 MILES. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY , WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN THE JOLT SNAPS MY HEAD BACK. BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAL AFTER 600 MILES.
PURCHASED 2-8-2020. WINDSHIELD CRACKER FOR NO REASON 2-22-2020. CRACK JUST APPEARED OUT OF NO WHERE. DEALER DENIED SERVICE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY FOUND ITTY BITTY (SMALLER THAN A PIN HEAD) MARK AT VERY EDGE OF WINDOW MOLDING. BS - I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IF SOMETHING HAD HIT. INSURANCE PAID FOR REPLACEMENT ON 2-27-2020.
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW RANDOMLY CRACKED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. NO OTHER CARS AROUND. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WINDOW CRACKS.
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. THREE MONTHS LATER AT A REGULAR SERVICE THE DEALER ADVISED BATTERY CAPACITY WAS ONLY 75% INDICATING CONTINUED ABOVE NORMAL DRAINAGE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKS EASY
PURCHASED NEW 30 DEC 2019. OWNED 5+ WEEKS NO ISSUES - DROVE 07 FEB 2020 NO DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUES OR WARNING LIGHTS, PARKED AS USUAL IN HEATED GARAGE AT HOME. WENT TO START 08 FEB 2020, WHEN START BUTTON PUSHED, NO STARTING BUT ALL THE VEHICLE LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) FLASHED BRIGHTLY AND RAPIDLY (3-4 TIMES A SECOND) FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN ALL ELECTRICAL INOPERATIVE (NO LIGHTS ANYWHERE, NO HORN, NO STARLINK ACTIVATION... SUBARU ROAD ASSISTANCE CALLED & THEY SUMMONED ANDERSON TOWING (A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY); WHEN JUMPER CABLE ATTACHED TO BATTERY IMMEDIATELY ALL LIGHTS CAME ON BRIGHTLY AND A LOUD ELECTRICAL ARCING NOISE OCCURRED AND IT STARTED. IF THIS TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAD HAPPENED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION IT COULD HAVE RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC INJURY AND DAMAGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP 10 FEB 2020 WHO CHECKED BATTERY AND COMPUTER TROUBLE CODES AND FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? IT WAS A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE - JUMPING THE VEHICLE REMINDED ME OF PARAMEDICS SUCCESSFULLY APPLYING AED PADDLES TO DEFIBRILLATE A STOPPED HEART. THIS SITUATION IS SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS NOTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEEDS AN IMMEDIATE REMEDY.
VEHICLE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM (ADAPATIVE CRUISE CONTROL), LANE DEPARTURE AND ANTI COLLISION SYSTEMS DEACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED WHILE IN REVERSE.
CRACK ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON NON PAVEMENT ROAD
THERE ARE SO MY SMALL PITS AND CHIPS IN MY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND OWNED IF FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. I NOTICED THE FIRST CHIP IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP BUT THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK. SINCE THEN I AM FACING WELL OVER A DOZEN, AND THEY ARE INCREDIBLY DISTRACTING. THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I'VE NEVER HAD A ROCK HIT THE CAR. ITS JUST THE FINE GRANULES THAT COME WITH DRIVING. THIS IS HORRIBLE!
A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD HAS FORMED WITHOUT ANY REASON. THERE WERE NO MAJOR ROCKS OR ACCIDENTS. INSTEAD, IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN.
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 SUBARU ASCENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. FROM DAY ONE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GENERATING AN EXCESSIVE AND POTENT FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE BAY THAT IS THEN PULLED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM WHILE RUNNING. THIS SMELL IS PREVALENT WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS RUNNING; IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE AFTER PARKING (AND TURNING OFF) THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE AS THE GARAGE FILLS WITH A RAW FUEL SMELL THAT TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO DISSIPATE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN ALL TYPES OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND TRIP DURATIONS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALERSHIP TECH VERBALLY CONFIRMED THE FUEL SMELL UPON CHECK-IN AND OPTED TO RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR, EVEN TESTING THE FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. THIS WAS EVENTUALLY ELEVATED INTO A SERVICE REQUEST INCIDENT/TICKET WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA. TWO SUBARU FIELD ENGINEERS VISITED THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SECOND COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT CLAIMED IT WAS A RUNNING ENGINE/BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AND WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. THE ENGINEER'S PROPOSED REMEDY WAS TO USE THE "RECIRCULATE AIR" BUTTON TO PREVENT OUTSIDE SMELLS FROM BEING DRAWN INTO THE CAR. > I AM CONFIDENT THIS IS A FUEL SMELL, NOT A TYPICAL HEATED ENGINE SMELL AS SUBARU CLAIMS. > WHEN DRAWN INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SMELL CAUSES LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND HEADACHES. > USING THE RECIRCULATE AIR BUTTON IS NOT A SOLUTION, IT IS A MITIGATION TACTIC, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT SMELL IS CONTINUALLY GENERATED BY THE RUNNING VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT WAS UNABLE TO BE EXTEND FAR ENOUGH BACKWARDS FOR THE SEAT BELT TO BE USED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO HIS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT A STANDARD SEAT BELT WAS NOT ADEQUATE TO SECURELY FASTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. FAILURE MILEAGE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THR ENTIRE LENGTH OF WINDSHIELD. UPON I SPECTION NEITHER MY HUSBAND NOR I COULD FIND A CHIP WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE CRACK. I AM UNSURE WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK, I BELIEVE IT WAS WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ONE MORNING.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - CAR WENT THROUGH AUTOMATIC CAR WAS WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND IN NEUTRAL. AFTER WASH WAS COMPLETED CAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE AND I VERY LIGHTLY TOUCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CAR LURCHED FORWARD AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR, ENGINE WAS CONTINUING TO RACE AS CAR CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED AND HEADED OUT ONTO BUSY HIGHWAY. THE EXIT FROM THE CAR WASH WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE HIGHWAY QUICKLY I STEPPED AS FORCEFULLY AS POSSIBLE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT CAR TO A STOP. A VERY CLOSE CALL.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026