Last updated: 2026-07-26
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander? 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 Toyota Highlander currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Subaru Ascent, scoring 73/100 vs 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Ascent has 50 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Highlander scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota Highlander has 3.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Ascent | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 73/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 16 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.2 | 5.8 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 5 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander?
| Component | Subaru Ascent | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Ascent | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/1000R / 1C | 84/1000R / 0C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2025 | 76/1000R / 8C | 76/1008R / 40C | Tie |
| 2024 | 76/1000R / 43C | 67/10016R / 198C | Subaru Ascent |
| 2023 | 71/1003R / 36C | 73/10013R / 140C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2022 | 70/1001R / 50C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 58/1004R / 310C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 55/1008R / 431C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Subaru Ascent scored 76/100 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Ascent more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Ascent or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Subaru Ascent or the Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.2 for the Subaru Ascent. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Subaru Ascent or Toyota Highlander safer?
- Both the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander 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 Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander? 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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