2021 Subaru Ascent Reliability & Problems
By Adrian V. LockhartUpdated All 102 NHTSA owner reports researched and classified
Pictured: 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited, Canadian model (same design as 2021 and 2022), same generation as the 2021 model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Owner complaints
102
5 report a crash, fire, injury or death
Recalls
2
1 with a park-outside warning
Most common problem
18%
of complaints: windshield cracking
Complaints per year filed
2021–2025 · peak 26
In short
Some known problemsThe 2021 Subaru Ascent has some known problems, driven by a park-outside recall (22V907000) for a fire risk in the electrical system. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints, and 5 report a crash, fire, injury or death. The most common complaint is windshield cracking, about 1 in 6 complaints. The model year has 2 recalls.
Reliability
How Reliable Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
The 2021 Ascent is rated Some known problems, and the main reason is an official recall rather than a pile of owner complaints. Recall 22V907000 carries a park-outside advisory because of a fire risk in the electrical system. That makes it the most important thing to settle on any 2021 Ascent. Beyond that, the owner complaints are dominated by one issue, windshield cracking, which is a minor problem rather than a safety-critical one.
Windshield cracking is the only recurring problem this model year with a meaningful number of reports. Owners describe cracks that spread, sometimes across the glass, and some say there was no impact they could point to. A few mention chips that multiplied, a view blocked by the crack, or water leaking in at a crack. One owner reports having the windshield replaced twice. These are individual accounts, and they show a pattern worth checking for, but they do not tell you how many vehicles are affected.
Recall 22V907000 states that the ground bolt securing the ground terminal of the PTC heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components. The listed remedy is advice for owners: park the vehicle away from structures and avoid leaving it unattended while the engine is running. Recall 26V436000 is a separate paperwork matter: the certification label shows an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating, and Subaru will mail a new label free of charge. This model year has no recall for windshield cracking.
Mileage tells you little here. Of the owners who reported a mileage, 85% were under 25,000 miles and the median was about 3,200 miles, so these complaints come from fairly new vehicles. Windshield cracks can appear at any point, so a low odometer reading does not rule one out. A glass defect is also easy to inspect for yourself, unlike an electrical fault.
If you are considering a 2021 Ascent, confirm that the recall work is clear and inspect the windshield closely. The complaint record is small and cannot show how many vehicles are affected or how any particular vehicle was maintained. Ask for service records and have the vehicle checked at a dealer before you buy.
Top problems
The problem owners report most
Named from 102 NHTSA complaints. Open a problem for symptoms, the fix, cost and owners' accounts.
1.Windshield crackingMinorAbout 1 in 6 complaints2,300–4,000 mi
Owners describe cracks that spread across the windshield, chips that multiply, and in some cases a crack with no impact point they could see. Reports mention cracks appearing while driving, after winter road debris, a couple of weeks after purchase, and after parking in a garage. This model year has no recall for it.
What owners describe
- Crack spreading across glass39%
- Many chips on the windshield28%
- Crack with no visible impact22%
- Blocked view or leaking crack11%
Fix
Most common repair owners describe: crack repaired (1 report).
Mileage
3,200 mi
Middle half 2,300–4,000 mi · 8 reports
Repair cost
—
Fewer than 10 owners report a repair cost
How common
18%
18 of 102 complaints
Crash, fire or injury
0%
of these complaints
In owners' words
“Without anything noticeable hitting the windshield, it was fine on July 2nd 2022 and when I went to get in to drive the next morning there was a crack in the windshield.”
Owner in NJ2.4L 4-cylFiled 2022NHTSA 11472510 “The driver's side window started showing a cracked line that began to grow throughout the course of driving on a Saturday afternoon”
Owner in CA2.4L 4-cylFiled 2021NHTSA 11440376 “Windshield is cracking for no apparent reason, starting at the base of the driver side corner and spreading 2-5 inches per day”
Owner in WY2.4L 4-cylFiled 2021NHTSA 11398433
Buying one
Should you buy a used 2021 Subaru Ascent?
What to check before you buy, based on the complaint and recall data.
Before buying, ask the seller or a Subaru dealer whether recall 22V907000 applies to the vehicle, since it concerns a fire risk and carries a park-outside advisory. Also check recall 26V436000, a certification label issue, and ask whether the new label has arrived. Look over the windshield for chips, cracks or signs it has been replaced, because that is the most common complaint for this model year.
- 1Run the VIN for open recalls. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, and 1 carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning (22V907000). Check at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2Check for windshield cracking. The most common complaint, in about 1 in 6 owner complaints.
- 3Get a pre-purchase inspection. An independent mechanic can spot leaks, stored fault codes and accident repairs that a test drive misses.
Subaru Ascent model years
Which Subaru Ascent years to avoid? Every model year compared
Early complaints are those filed in a model year's first 3 years. They follow how many were sold, so they don't show which years are better. The tag on 2021 is its verdict from our research of its owner complaints.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings.
| SUV AWD | |
|---|---|
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 17% |
Owning one
If you already own one
Find your symptom, see when problems tend to show up, and check which recalls apply.
Follow the park-outside advice for recall 22V907000: park away from structures and avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. Confirm with a dealer which recalls are open on your vehicle. For the windshield, watch small chips and cracks, and have them looked at early if a crack is growing or blocks your view.
- Windshield crackingMinorAbout 1 in 6 owner complaints18 of 102Median 3,200 mi
Most common repair owners describe: crack repaired (1 report).
- Transmission failure needing replacementSeriousAbout 1 in 8 owner complaints13 of 102Median 49,000 mi
- Hesitation or slipping while drivingSeriousAbout 1 in 9 owner complaints11 of 102Median 48,000 mi
- Battery drain or no-startSeriousAbout 1 in 10 owner complaints10 of 102Median 5,000 mi
- Lane centering pulls or over-correctsSeriousAbout 1 in 10 owner complaints10 of 102Median 1,500 mi
2 recalls, newest first
Open one for the risk, the remedy and what to do now.
Other › LabelsThese vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As…Jul 7, 2026541,237 vehicles26V436000
- Defect
- These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
- Risk
- An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge.
Wiring › Interior/under dashPark outsideThe ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been…Dec 8, 2022271,694 vehicles22V907000
- Defect
- The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
- Risk
- A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
- What to do
- Park outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
What to do
Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a recall is open, any dealer will fix it free. For NHTSA's full record of a campaign, search its number there (for example 26V436000).
Reliability history
Subaru Ascent reliability by year
Complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years, by trouble spot. Darker cells have more complaints; counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold each year.
| Trouble spot | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 2019 Transmission & drivetrain: 31 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Transmission & drivetrain: 30 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Transmission & drivetrain: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Transmission & drivetrain: 10 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Transmission & drivetrain: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Transmission & drivetrain: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Engine | 2019 Engine: 31 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Engine: 16 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Engine: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Engine: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Engine: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Engine: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Fuel system & stalling | 2019 Fuel system & stalling: 12 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Fuel system & stalling: 10 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Fuel system & stalling: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Fuel system & stalling: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Fuel system & stalling: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Fuel system & stalling: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Electrical | 2019 Electrical: 119 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Electrical: 93 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Electrical: 11 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Electrical: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Electrical: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Electrical: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Driver aids & stability | 2019 Driver aids & stability: 9 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Driver aids & stability: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Driver aids & stability: 11 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Driver aids & stability: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Driver aids & stability: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Driver aids & stability: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Brakes | 2019 Brakes: 20 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Brakes: 18 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Brakes: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Brakes: 10 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Brakes: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Brakes: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Steering | 2019 Steering: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Steering: 6 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Steering: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Steering: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Suspension | 2019 Suspension: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Suspension: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Suspension: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Suspension: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Airbags & seat belts | 2019 Airbags & seat belts: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Airbags & seat belts: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Airbags & seat belts: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Airbags & seat belts: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Airbags & seat belts: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Body, lights & visibility | 2019 Body, lights & visibility: 78 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Body, lights & visibility: 65 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Body, lights & visibility: 20 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Body, lights & visibility: 8 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Body, lights & visibility: 9 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Body, lights & visibility: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Acceleration & speed control | 2019 Acceleration & speed control: 4 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Acceleration & speed control: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Acceleration & speed control: 1 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Acceleration & speed control: 0 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Acceleration & speed control: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Acceleration & speed control: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
| Wheels & tires | 2019 Wheels & tires: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2020 Wheels & tires: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2021 Wheels & tires: 3 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2022 Wheels & tires: 2 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2023 Wheels & tires: 5 complaints in the first 3 years. | 2024 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2025 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. | 2026 Wheels & tires: too new, fewer than 3 complete years. |
All problems
Every problem reported on the 2021 Ascent
Every problem found in the 102 owner complaints, by area of the vehicle.
Body, lights & visibility
31 30%- Windshield crackingMinor18 18%typically at 3,200 mi3,200––
- Liftgate failureSerious3 3%–––
- Sunroof glass cracks or shatters2 2%–––
- Windshield haze or glare specks2 2%–––
- Side mirror melting1 1.0%–––
- Seat causes thigh or sciatic pain1 1.0%–––
Show 4 more body, lights & visibility problemsShow fewer body, lights & visibility problems
- Loose driver door bolt1 1.0%–––
- Window trim detaching1 1.0%–––
- Child seat lower latch shows secure when not latched1 1.0%–––
- Power window regulator failure1 1.0%–––
Transmission & drivetrain
21 21%- Transmission failure needing replacementSerious13 13%typically at 49,000 mi49,000––
- Hesitation or slipping while drivingSerious11 11%typically at 48,000 mi48,000––
- Transmission shudder or judderSerious4 4%–––
- Harsh, jerky shiftingSerious3 3%–––
- Delayed engagement pulling away from a stopSerious1 1.0%–––
- Drops into neutral or loses drive while movingCritical1 1.0%–––
Show 1 more transmission & drivetrain problemsShow fewer transmission & drivetrain problems
- Sudden powertrain failure at highway speed1 1.0%–––
Electrical
16 16%- Battery drain or no-startSerious10 10%typically at 5,000 mi5,000––
- Many warning lights at onceMinor3 3%–––
- Water leaks damaging electronicsSerious2 2%–––
- Wind noise1 1.0%–––
- Screen or infotainment glitchesMinor1 1.0%–––
- Key fob needs to be very close1 1.0%–––
Driver aids & stability
14 14%- Lane centering pulls or over-correctsSerious10 10%typically at 1,500 mi1,500––
- Vehicle wanders or pulls to the left2 2%–––
- Automatic emergency braking activates for no reasonCritical1 1.0%–––
- Forward collision warning does not engage1 1.0%–––
Brakes
7 7%- Brake noise and early wearMinor7 7%–––
- Brake pedal sinks or brakes failCritical1 1.0%–––
Engine
7 7%- Oil leaks or low oilSerious4 4%–––
- Stalling or shutting off while drivingCritical2 2%–––
- Engine failure1 1.0%–––
- Coolant leak1 1.0%–––
- Loose engine mounts1 1.0%–––
Wheels & tires
3 3%- Tires wear out earlyMinor3 3%–––
Fuel system & stalling
2 2%- Fuel smell in the cabin2 2%–––
Steering
2 2%- Sticky or notchy steeringSerious1 1.0%–––
- Steering does not respond1 1.0%–––
Fire
2 2%- Blue smoke from the tailpipe1 1.0%–––
- Vehicle catches fireCritical1 1.0%–––
Airbags & seat belts
1 1.0%- Airbags did not deploy in a crashCritical1 1.0%–––
Acceleration & speed control
1 1.0%- Sudden or unintended accelerationCritical1 1.0%–––
42 problems found in all 102 complaints. One complaint can describe more than one problem, so counts add up to more than the total. Not counted as a defect: 2 about recall paperwork or parts delays. Typical miles, repair cost and fix rate show only when enough owners report them.
The data
Behind the numbers
Every figure comes from NHTSA's complaint file and APIs.
- Complaints
- 102
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Crashes and fires count complaints that report one; injuries and deaths count people.
Mileage at failure
Not enough data yet
Only 20 complaints list mileage; we chart this from 30.
FAQ
2021 Subaru Ascent questions
Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has some known problems, mainly because of a park-outside recall (22V907000) for a fire risk in the electrical system. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints, and 5 report a crash, fire, injury or death. The most common complaint is windshield cracking, about 1 in 6 complaints.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems?
Windshield cracking is the most common problem, with 18 complaints, about 1 in 6. Owners describe cracks that spread across the glass, chips that multiply, and cracks with no visible impact. By area, body, lights and visibility has 31 complaints (30%), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 21 (21%) and electrical with 16 (16%).
Are there any recalls on the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 2 recalls. Recall 22V907000 is a park-outside warning: the PTC heater ground bolt may be improperly fastened, which could melt the ground terminal and raise the risk of fire. Owners should park away from structures and not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. Recall 26V436000 covers an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating on the certification label. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have windshield cracking problems?
Yes, it is the most common complaint, with 18 complaints (18%). It is rated a minor problem. Owners report cracks appearing while driving, after winter road debris, and a couple of weeks after purchase. This model year has no recall for it, so inspect the glass closely before you buy.
Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent safe?
NHTSA rates the 2021 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD 5 out of 5 stars overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal crash, 5 out of 5 stars for side crash and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Separately, recall 22V907000 carries a park-outside advisory because of a fire risk, so confirm that recall is handled on any vehicle you consider.
At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Ascent problems show up?
Of 20 complaints that gave a mileage, the median was about 3,200 miles, and 85% were under 25,000 miles, so reports come from fairly new vehicles. Windshield cracks can appear at any point, so a low odometer reading does not rule one out.
What should I check before buying a 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Ask the seller or a Subaru dealer whether recall 22V907000, the park-outside fire-risk recall, applies to the vehicle, and check recall 26V436000 for the certification label and whether the new label has arrived. Look over the windshield for chips, cracks or signs of replacement. Ask for service records and have a dealer check the vehicle.
Which Subaru Ascent years should you avoid?
No Subaru Ascent model year shows serious known problems in owner complaints. For the 2019–2022, make sure the recall repairs were done: an urgent recall matters more than their complaint pattern. The 2024 shows no pattern of serious problems. The 2023 and 2025–2026 have too few complaints to judge. Every model year is compared on the Subaru Ascent years-to-avoid page.
Methodology
How we researched this
- Complaints. NHTSA's owner complaint file, counted as unique complaint numbers for make SUBARU, model ASCENT, model year 2021. Data through Oct 4, 2026.
- Verdict. Judged from this model year's own complaints, not against other models, using shares rather than counts. Serious known problems: one serious problem (transmission, engine or stalling, steering, brakes, airbags, fire, fuel leaks) is in a quarter or more of complaints; or a smaller but clear cluster comes with an unusual share of crash, fire, injury or loss-of-power reports or early failures; or an urgent recall or NHTSA investigation matches a top complaint. Some known problems: one of those signals on its own. No pattern of serious problems: none of them; this doesn't mean the vehicle is trouble-free. Too few complaints to judge: under 50 complaints. Why this verdict: A park-outside recall (22V907000) for a fire risk in the electrical system.
- No grade or class ranking. Raw complaint counts favor models that sell fewer cars, so we don't score or rank this vehicle against other models until we can adjust for sales.
- Trouble spots and history. Complaints grouped by the part owners chose when filing. The history grid counts complaints filed in each model year's first 3 years so older and newer years compare fairly; years with fewer than 3 complete years are marked too new.
- Named problems. Every one of the 102 complaints was researched and classified by its problems, severity, symptoms, repairs and any cost the owner mentions; the counts, costs and fix rates on this page are tallies of those classifications. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, checked against the original text. Engines are decoded from partial VINs with NHTSA's vPIC service.
- Repair costs and fix rates. Shown only when at least 10 owners report a repair cost, or at least 10 complaints describe whether a repair worked.
- Not adjusted for sales. Not affiliated with NHTSA. Page updated Nov 5, 2026.