Subaru Ascent: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Subaru Ascent problems by model year, from 965 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Years to avoid: 2022 (42%, 22 drivetrain complaints). 1 of the 5 Subaru Ascent years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2023 (17%), 2020 (28%) and 2021 (29%). 2023 rests on fewer than 60 complaints, so treat it as provisional. A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2022 (42%) to 2023 (17%), down 25 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2019 drew the most drivetrain complaints (131 of 278 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Subaru Ascent year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ascent | no elevated signal | 31% | 131 | 441 | 2/5 | 9 |
| 2020 Ascent | no elevated signal | 28% | 89 | 322 | 4/5 | 5 |
| 2021 Ascent | no elevated signal | 29% | 29 | 102 | 3/5 | 2 |
| 2022 Ascent | high | 42% | 22 | 55 | 1/5 | 2 |
| 2023 Ascent | no elevated signal | 17% | 7 | 45 | 5/5 | 4 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Subaru Ascent years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Subaru Ascent engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the Subaru Ascent involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 13 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2019 | 19V519000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2019 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V855000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2019 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V856000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) | 2019 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V218000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V587000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V955000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2019–2020 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V647000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2023 |
6 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2018 | 18V508000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2019 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V954000 | steering: linkages: tie rod assembly | 2020 |
| Dec 2022 | 22V907000 | electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash | 2019–2022 |
| Apr 2023 | 23V258000 | tires | 2023 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V392000 | suspension: front: control arm: lower arm | 2023 |
| Jul 2026 | 26V436000 | equipment: other: labels | 2019–2023 |
What the free pages leave out on the Subaru Ascent
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Subaru Ascent
What are the worst years for the Subaru Ascent?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Subaru Ascent years are the 2022 (42% of relevant complaints, high). 1 of 5 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Subaru Ascent?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Subaru Ascent years are the 2023 (17%), the 2020 (28%) and the 2021 (29%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Subaru Ascent have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 5 scored years, 278 of 962 relevant NHTSA complaints (29%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2022.
Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 1 of 5 Subaru Ascent years we score have an elevated complaint share and 4 do not. Pooled across those years, 29% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Subaru Ascent?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Subaru Ascent years we track, out of 13 in total: 21V587000 (Jul 2021, 2019–2020), 21V955000 (Dec 2021, 2019–2020), 23V647000 (Sep 2023, 2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.