Last updated: 2026-04-20
2025 Subaru Ascent Reliability Report
The 2025 Subaru Ascent scores 76/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 8 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
0
Complaints
8
Complaint Rate
N/A
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,700–$2,850
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues to Watch
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (2)
- ENGINE (1)
- TIRES (1)
Should You Buy the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
At 76/100, the 2025 Subaru Ascent lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading.
Owners log 8 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.
Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to unknown or other (2). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.
Compared to the 2026 Subaru Ascent. See also the 2024 Subaru Ascent for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Low complaint frequency
Cons
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
- −VISIBILITY/WIPER (2)
Compare 2025 Subaru Ascent With
2025 Toyota Highlander
Reliability: 76/100
2025 Honda Pilot
Reliability: 71/100
2025 KIA Telluride
Reliability: 78/100
2025 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 70/100
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability: 75/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2025 Subaru Ascent — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
8
complaintsSafety Incidents
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2025 Subaru Ascent? Check its history first
Every 2025 Subaru Ascent has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2025 Subaru Ascent NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 17.0%
Safety Technologies
Subaru AscentRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2025 Subaru Ascent Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil Light Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| No Start Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Pre-Purchase Car Inspection | $183 – $269 |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System Relearn | $49 – $72 |
| Battery Test | $49 – $72 |
| Battery Cable Battery Terminal End Service | $37 – $54 |
| Brake System Inspect | $122 – $179 |
| Emission Control System Inspect | $61 – $90 |
| Electrical System Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Powertrain Control System Diagnosis & Testing | $61 – $90 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
21–22 MPG
Fuel cost: $2,700–$2,850/yr
Fuel only
19–20 city / 25–26 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2025 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,700 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,850 |
2025 Subaru Ascent Common Problems by Component
8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsWhile driving the passenger door window behind the driver burst, then began falling into the car. The safety issue would have occurred if one of my grandchildren were sitting there. Also, the startling event of it just bursting and possible causing a jerk in the car. The dealer said that they have not heard of this and would not repair under warranty (brand new car, purchased in September). Police investigated and saw nothing that would have caused an outside force to break the window. No warnings
The driver side rearview mirror shakes and vibrates under normal driving conditions. This is distracting and nauseating to the driver. This is a safety issue because this mirror is used for checking for vehicles before changing lanes.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsThe drivers side mirror glass shakes while driving. Visibility in the mirror is extremely limited making it impossible to see vehicle approaching or to judge distance. After dark the mirror is useless.
The driver side mirror is unusable. The mirror it self shakes so much while driving you cannot see anything clearly or safely.
ENGINE
1 complaintSafety-relatedI hit a deer on CA 395 north, my braking system worked and my air bags deployed, and then my engine immediately caught fire. I’m lucky i was able to get out of the car through a back door. Every police and fire who responded said they have never seen a car catch fire after hitting a deer and i should report a vehicle malfunction
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintI own a 2025 Subaru Ascent Limited. At approximately 20,000 miles, one of the original tires (factory-installed) developed a straight split along the tread/shoulder area. The cut was very straight, almost like along a seam, and I could see metal/steel cords exposed through the opening. There was no major impact, curb strike, or pothole event that I’m aware of, and there was no obvious sidewall or wheel damage. The Subaru dealer inspected the tire and replaced it, but I do not have the tire in my possession, so I no longer have the exact tire brand/model or DOT number. I have photos of the damage and a repair order from the dealer showing the tire replacement. I have also reported this incident to Subaru’s customer advocate department because I am concerned this may be a safety-related tire or manufacturing issue on a relatively new vehicle with low mileage.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintDriver side mirror vibrates making the view in the mirror blurry. The distorted picture causes confusion and safety hazard as it's very difficult to see in day and almost impossible at night. Vibrations are noticeable in the driver's side B pillar. According to the dealership, this is related to the car's frame, no further details were provided so far. Car has been in the service for almost two weeks due to this issue.
VISIBILITY (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY
1 complaintNo particular incident happened, but the driver's side view mirror vibrates when moving especially at high speeds and/or bumpy roads. Worse at night as when you look, headlights in rear are shaking and make me dizzy and not look. The passengers side is nice and stable. Doesn't vibrate and shake.
Best & Worst Subaru Ascent Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Subaru Ascent Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Subaru Ascent year is 2025 with a reliability score of 76/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (76/100) and 2023 (71/100).
2025
(Current Model)
2024
2023
Subaru Ascent Years to Avoid
The worst Subaru Ascent year is 2019 with a score of 55/100, primarily due to electrical system (150) issues.
Subaru Ascent Reliability Score Trend
Subaru Ascent reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 74/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 58/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
Subaru Ascent Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2025 Subaru Ascent reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
How many recalls does the 2025 Subaru Ascent have?
Is the 2025 Subaru Ascent expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2025 Subaru Ascent without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Subaru Ascent.
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