Last updated: 2026-04-20
2026 Subaru Ascent Reliability Report
The 2026 Subaru Ascent scores 76/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 1 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
0
Complaints
1
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
- SERVICE BRAKES (1)
Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru Ascent?
At 76/100, the 2026 Subaru Ascent lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading.
Owners log 1 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 service brakes, hydraulic (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.
See also the 2025 Subaru Ascent for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Low complaint frequency
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −SERVICE BRAKES (1)
Compare 2026 Subaru Ascent With
2026 Toyota Highlander
Reliability: 84/100
2026 Honda Pilot
Reliability: 81/100
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability: 72/100
2026 Chevrolet Traverse
Reliability: 76/100
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Reliability: 64/100
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2026 Subaru Ascent — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1
complaintsSafety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
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 2026 Subaru Ascent? Check its history first
Every 2026 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
2026 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.
Subaru Ascent Resale Value
The Subaru Ascent is estimated to retain about 99.1% of its original value after 1 year, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Subaru Ascent model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.
- Value Retained
- 99.1%
- Depreciation
- 0.9%
- Listings Analyzed
- 18
after 1 year
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Subaru Ascent depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com2026 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 city / 25–26 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,700 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,850 |
2026 Subaru Ascent Common Problems by Component
1 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2026 Subaru Accent. The contact stated that there was a failure related to the brake pedal design. The contact stated that there was an approximate one-inch difference in spacing between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal in previous model vehicles. The contact stated that there was an approximate four-inch gap between the brake and accelerator pedals, while previous models had an approximate three-inch space. The contact stated that the difference created a hazardous driving condition and increased the risk of unintended pedal application. Additionally, there were several instances where a crash could have occurred due to the pedal spacing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that several complaints were received with the same issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,040.
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 2026 with a reliability score of 76/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2025 (76/100) and 2024 (76/100).
2026
(Current Model)
2025
2024
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 75/100 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 |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Subaru Ascent Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Subaru Ascent reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Ascent?
How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru Ascent have?
Is the 2026 Subaru Ascent expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2026 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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