2020 Subaru Ascent: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Lights · FL

Subaru has a known problem/design with their LED daytime running lamps on the Ascent model. Dealerships are seeing a high failure rate of these LED lights, and it is always with the left side headlamp assembly. The LED strip quits working. In my case my car has about 42,000 miles on it with estimated 1,500 hours of operation. LED lights are designed to last a minimum of 30,000 and up to 100,000 hours. I see these models all the time with their left daytime lamps out. These lamps are provided for safety reasons and to bring visibility to other drivers. Even Subaru dealer's state that this is a known problem and always the left headlight assembly. FYI, the whole assembly needs to be replaced, and the price range is around $1,300.00. I have reached out to Subaru, and they simply state vehicle is out of warranty, and they will not do anything about it. I say this is a known imbedded issue due to engineering, quality control etc. and each delivered vehicle is more than likely going to experience this issue which again I perceive as a safety issue. Again, LED lights are used because of their long-life expectancy. But in Subaru's case, their lights are designed to fail much sooner than one should reasonably expect. Subaru needs to do the right thing and stand behind these faulty lights and return the vehicle to the level of safety it was intended to offer. However, the only way they are possibly going to consider this if the NHTSB gets involved. I have provided a phot of my car showing the lights. One is lit and one is not.

Filed May 9, 2025 · Lights · TN

The driver's side headlamp assembly (one complete piece, LED lighting) has a thin strip at the top that is used for daytime running lights. These are automatically on when the vehicle is on and it's not yet dark. In early 2024, this driver's side thin strip daytime running lights stopped working entirely. I've learned that the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced, rather than being able to just change out the daytime running component or replace a light bulb like one used to be able to do. I've taken the vehicle in for an estimate, and the Nashville, TN Subaru dealership quoted me about $1700 to replace the headlamp assembly, with nearly $1,000 of that being for the light itself, and the rest being labor. The technician at the Subaru dealership was aware of this problem, with many others coming into the shop for the same thing, and he advised complaining directly to Subaru. There are aftermarket options for $200 but the labor is still excessive. From researching online about how to find the aftermarket options, I've learned from a quick google search, lots of posts on Reddit and Facebook, among other forums, of other vehicle owners of this year and the years surrounding it that it is a very frequently-occurring problem, related to it being too close to something in the engine- and others reported that this has happened multiple times to their same vehicle! I called Subaru of America to complain and ask for a Good Will replacement, but they said they would not be able to assist me as I was beyond 3 years/50k miles, and that I would have to go with the Subaru of America option. Please look into this and find that this is a common problem and the remedy should not be stuck to the consumer, with such an exorbitant bill. Subaru should address this known problem and a recall should be made so that we may have this corrected/those who have had to pay for it can be compensated. Thank you!

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Lights · VA

When vehicle was 3.5-4 years old, the LED "halo" around the headlight assembly went out. This part is a fixed part of the assembly and unrepairable and requires the owner to replace the entire headlight assembly. An LED headlight should not be going out after only 3.5-4 years. I have noticed this is a common complaint on online forums for the Subaru Ascent. Normally, this would just be a cosmetic nuisance, but in states, such as Virginia where I live, that have annual vehicle safety inspections, the vehicle fails inspection if any part of the headlight does not work, regardless of its effect on the functioning of the actual headlight lamp to produce light when activated. Further, this is a dealer only part and repair and I was quoted $1,300 for an issue that has no effect on the headlight to illuminate the road and is cosmetic only. Subaru needs to address this faulty assembly.

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Lights · 40,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the left turning signal and driver’s side daytime running light failed to illuminate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that he was given a ticket for the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turn signal and drive’s side headlight needed to be replaced; however, the parts for the repair were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Electrical · 3,600 miles · CO

2 episodes of disabled 2020 subaru ascent touring in 4 months after purchasing it new. Currently only has 3600 miles on it. 1. Car would not start from stationary position because both my electronic key fobs were in the car at the same time. Towed to dealer. They found my 'missing' key fob. 2. Battery died while stationary, waiting at vet 25 min., listening to radio while car was otherwise 'off'. Only it did not die a clean death but continued a zombie existence: A/C came on and off at full speed, arbitrarily; actually could not shut down the car kept acting electrically crazy with various lights on dash coming on and off; 3. Could work the power windows while the battery was 'dead' , windows would go down but only came partway back up; for some 40 minutes we heard a beep in a morse code sort of irregular manner from interior rear aspect of car; dash would click from time arbitrarily, sounded like the click heard during cruise control when approaching a vehicle ahead, the 'adaptable' feature, or perhaps the click heard when switching from high beam to low beam lights. I don't feel I can rely on this car not dying. Very upset, and very disappointing.

Filed Jul 28, 2020 · Electrical · 2,000 miles · MA

I have owned this vehicle since late may 2020, and I have approximately 2,000 miles on the odometer. On 7/25/20, I started the vehicle and there was no sound at all from the audio system - radio, navigation, voice commands, etc. Were all mute. I rebooted the radio by holding down the power button until it restarted, but this did not fix the issue, despite multiple reboots. I continued to drive my vehicle each day on 7/26 and 7/27, and the audio did not come back. On 7/29/20, I planned to call the dealer to report the issue. When I went to start my vehicle, which is kept in my garage, I discovered that the battery was completely dead. As soon as I tried to start the car, the tailgate began beeping, and then the headlamps flickered randomly for approximately one minute. There is no power at all in the vehicle, and I am unable to lock/unlock the car or open the tailgate, even manually. There were no doors left open, no lights left on - the battery simply died.