KnownCarProblems2021 Subaru Ascent Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Ascent, most often about the transmission (18% of complaints). It is the 3rd most complained-about Ascent model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems
Transmission
19 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive and failed to accelerate at intended. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to stall, and the transmission failed to properly operate. The vehicle was pulled over to a nearby shop and was advised to take the vehicle back to the facility that performed the oil changes.…
Visibility and wipers
18 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield.
The windshield of our new Subaru Ascent touring 2021 just cracked on its own only a couple of weeks after purchase. The crack is now about 10in and keeps getting longer((
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact returned to the vehicle and noticed a crack on the windshield. The crack was on the lower driverâs side of the windshield and moving upward. There was no impact to the windshield to cause the…
Electrical
18 complaints · 18%At 1667 miles on my brand new Subaru Ascent the battery was completely drained while my wife was out shopping. The battery needed to be replaced. No charge to me, however at 1667 miles that is an issue. There is a dead Subaru Ascent battery club that n facebook dedicated to this issue and lawyers starting to get ready…
Driver assistance
17 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 1,500 miles. Parts named most often: assist, warning, adaptive cruise control, warnings.
Lane assist with cruise control over corrects. On multiple occasions while on the freeway using cruise control the lane assist pulled me into the other lane into other vehicles. I have almost hit two other vehicles. The pull is too strong and crosses lanes. I have to keep it off. Forward collision does not engage.
The 2021 Ascent has lane centering assist with very strict margins. It is a constant tug of war with the vehicle when lane centering is active. When you let the car take over, it violently jerks you into the next lane. This problem has been cross checked with other users on a Subaru forum and all have the same issue.…
Other or unspecified
16 complaints · 16%Engine
12 complaints · 12%Brakes
9 complaints · 9%Steering
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 2,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
The 2021 Ascent has lane centering assist with very strict margins. It is a constant tug of war with the vehicle when lane centering is active. When you let the car take over, it violently jerks you into the next lane. This problem has been cross checked with other users on a Subaru forum and all have the same issue.…
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway and making a left turn, the steering wheel locked up and the contact could not turn the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel to unlocked. The failure recurred with an unknown warning light…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Subaru Ascent recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: An incorrect gawr label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrh-26.
Full defect summary
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 vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 110, "tire selection and rims."
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "off" position. Dealers will replace the ptc heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed february 6, 2023. Owners may contact subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Subaru Ascent
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (19 complaints); visibility and wipers (18 complaints, typically around 3,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Subaru Ascent?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Ascent model year since 2000, with 103 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.