Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Ascent Years to Avoid
7 scored model years (2019–2026) · model average 69/100
Skip the 2019 model year. Owners report dead batteries, a CVT that slips or loses drive, and windshields that crack easily, along with eight recalls. The 2024 Ascent is the year to buy instead, with no recalls on record.
Verdict
- Avoid
- 2019 55/100
- Buy
- 2024 76/100
- Model average
- 69/100
Subaru Ascent Years to Avoid
These model years score significantly below the Subaru Ascent average of 69/100.
| # | Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019 | 55/100 | Mixed | 8 | 431 | Electrical System (150) |
Why These Years Should Be Avoided
2019 Subaru Ascent
Owners describe batteries going flat while the car sits, sometimes within the first few thousand miles, and dealers often swap the battery without stopping the drain. The CVT squeals, slips, and can lose drive on the highway. Four electrical reports involve fire. It also has the most recalls of any year.
Top issues: Electrical System (150), Power Train (79), Visibility Wiper (62), Unknown Or Other (39), Engine (20), Service Brakes (15)
View full 2019reliability report →What Are Common Subaru Ascent Problems?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
256 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2020, 2024
2019: Batteries go flat while the car sits, leaving it unable to start, lock, or open the tailgate.
POWER TRAIN
143 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2020, 2022
2019: The CVT squeals, shudders, slips, and hesitates, often beginning between 6,000 and 25,000 miles.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
129 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2020, 2024
2019: Windshields crack with little or no impact, sometimes overnight while parked and sometimes with a loud crack while driving.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
96 complaintsMost reported in 2020, 2019, 2023
2020: Spontaneous windshield cracks make up most of these reports, appearing on parked or moving cars with no sign of impact and growing over days.
SERVICE BRAKES
47 complaintsMost reported in 2020, 2019, 2022
2020: Front brakes shudder and grind, with vibration felt through the steering wheel, worst at highway speed or going downhill.
VISIBILITY
46 complaintsMost reported in 2024, 2019, 2020
2024: The driver's side mirror shakes hard enough to blur the reflection, making it difficult to judge traffic or see into the blind spot.
Best Subaru Ascent Year to Buy Instead
2024 Subaru Ascent
The 2024 model has no recalls on record and far fewer complaints than 2019, with none about batteries or the CVT among its top issues. Its main complaint is a driver's side mirror that shakes at highway speed, which is a real annoyance. It has been on the road long enough to trust.
Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car
Even the 2024 Subaru Ascent has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
All Subaru Ascent Years by Generation
Subaru Ascent Reliability Scores by Year
First generation (WM) (2019–2023)
2023 Subaru Ascent
3 recalls · 36 complaints
2022 Subaru Ascent
1 recalls · 50 complaints
2020 Subaru Ascent
4 recalls · 310 complaints
2019 Subaru Ascent
8 recalls · 431 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Subaru Ascent years should I avoid?
Which Subaru Ascent years have transmission problems?
Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent reliable?
What is the best Subaru Ascent year to buy instead?
Are the newest Ascent years the safest to buy?
How we score every Subaru Ascent model year
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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