Last updated: 2026-07-26
GMC Acadia vs Subaru Ascent: Reliability Compared
GMC Acadia
Subaru Ascent
Choosing between the GMC Acadia 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 GMC Acadia currently leads with an average score of 70/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the GMC Acadia and Subaru Ascent Generations Compare?
Verdict
The GMC Acadia is more reliable than the Subaru Ascent, scoring 70/100 vs 69/100.
The Subaru Ascent and GMC Acadia exhibit similar reliability profiles, with average reliability scores of 68/100 and 69/100, respectively. The Ascent has a slightly lower owner complaint rate at 9.2 per 10,000 units sold compared to the Acadia's unspecified rate, though total complaints are slightly higher for the Subaru. Both vehicles have a comparable recall history, with the Ascent experiencing 16 recalls over seven years and the Acadia 17 over eight years. However, the GMC Acadia is noted for issues in multiple systems, including power train and electrical, which, combined with an estimated annual repair cost of $734, might make the Subaru Ascent a more appealing choice for those prioritizing reliability.
Key Differences
- 1GMC Acadia scores 1 points higher in reliability
- 2Subaru Ascent has 1 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
GMC Acadia vs Subaru Ascent: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | GMC Acadia | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 70/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 17 | 16 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 770 | 879 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 (3 tied) | 2 (3 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Acadia and Subaru Ascent?
The Subaru Ascent has a higher total number of complaints at 879, but lacks detailed data on specific problem areas, making it difficult to pinpoint particular reliability issues. In contrast, the GMC Acadia, with 770 total complaints, shows a clear pattern of problems, predominantly in the power train (200 complaints) and electrical system (139 complaints), both of which have crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Acadia's air bags have a significant safety concern with 5 crash-linked complaints out of 12 total. While the Ascent's issues are unspecified, the Acadia's data reveals critical areas of concern, particularly in components that directly relate to vehicle safety and performance.
| Component | GMC Acadia | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 200 | — |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 139 | — |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 106 | — |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 70 | — |
| STEERING | 55 | — |
| ENGINE | 37 | — |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 23 | — |
| AIR BAGS | 12 | — |
| SEAT BELTS | 9 | — |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 8 | — |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 | — |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 6 | — |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 4 | — |
| SUSPENSION | 4 | — |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 4 | — |
| SEATS | 3 | — |
| STRUCTURE | 2 | — |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 | — |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | — |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 2 | — |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Acadia or Subaru Ascent?
How Does GMC Acadia vs Subaru Ascent Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | GMC Acadia | Subaru Ascent | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/1000R / 0C | 76/1000R / 1C | Tie |
| 2025 | 76/1000R / 51C | 76/1000R / 8C | Tie |
| 2024 | 76/1000R / 51C | 76/1000R / 43C | Tie |
| 2023 | 64/1004R / 37C | 71/1003R / 36C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2022 | 66/1003R / 44C | 70/1001R / 50C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2020 | 62/1006R / 84C | 58/1004R / 310C | GMC Acadia |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 and the 2026 Subaru Ascent scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the GMC Acadia vs the Subaru Ascent?
GMC Acadia vs Subaru Ascent: Common Questions
- Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?
- Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Subaru Ascent?
- The GMC Acadia has more recalls (17) 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 GMC Acadia or the Subaru Ascent?
- The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 879 for the Subaru Ascent. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Is the GMC Acadia or Subaru Ascent safer?
- Both the GMC Acadia 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
More GMC Acadia comparisons
Decided between GMC Acadia 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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