Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Edge vs Subaru Ascent: Reliability Compared
Ford Edge
Subaru Ascent
Choosing between the Ford Edge and the Subaru Ascent? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru Ascent currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Edge and Subaru Ascent Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Subaru Ascent is more reliable than the Ford Edge, scoring 68/100 vs 67/100.
The Subaru Ascent slightly outperforms the Ford Edge in reliability, with an average score of 68/100 compared to the Edge's 67/100. The Ascent also has fewer recalls over seven years, totaling 16, while the Edge has 32. Both vehicles have similar owner complaint rates, with the Ascent at 9.2 per 10,000 sold and the Edge at 9.4. However, the Ford Edge is more frequently reported for issues in several critical areas, including the power train and engine, making the Subaru Ascent the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Ascent has 16 fewer total recalls
- 2Subaru Ascent scores 1 points higher in reliability
- 3Subaru Ascent has 0.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Edge vs Subaru Ascent: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Edge | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 68/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2024 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Edge and Subaru Ascent?
The Subaru Ascent has a total of 879 complaints, but lacks detailed problem categorization, making it difficult to pinpoint specific reliability issues. In contrast, the Ford Edge, with 1,964 complaints, shows significant issues in the power train category, accounting for 683 complaints, including 8 crash-linked incidents. The Ford Edge also faces notable complaints in the engine (415) and engine and engine cooling (187) categories, with additional safety concerns in the electrical system and service brakes, each linked to multiple crashes. Overall, the Ford Edge presents more defined and severe reliability challenges, particularly in critical safety and performance systems, compared to the Subaru Ascent.
| Component | Ford Edge | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | —None |
| ENGINE | 2Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford Edge vs Subaru Ascent Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Edge | Subaru Ascent | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 38C | 76/1000R / 43C | Tie |
| 2023 | 74/1004R / 16C | 71/1003R / 36C | Ford Edge |
| 2022 | 69/1005R / 113C | 70/1001R / 50C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2020 | 64/1004R / 272C | 58/1004R / 310C | Ford Edge |
| 2019 | 60/1003R / 687C | 55/1008R / 431C | Ford Edge |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Edge scored 76/100 and the 2024 Subaru Ascent scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Edge vs the Subaru Ascent?
Ford Edge vs Subaru Ascent: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Edge more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?
- Based on our data, the Subaru Ascent is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Edge or the Subaru Ascent?
- The Ford Edge has more recalls (32) compared to the Subaru Ascent (16). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Edge or the Subaru Ascent?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Ascent has a lower complaint rate at 9.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.4 for the Ford Edge. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Edge or Subaru Ascent safer?
- Both the Ford Edge and Subaru Ascent received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Edge and Subaru Ascent? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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