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2023 Subaru Ascent problems

The most common problem on the 2023 Subaru Ascent is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical Ascent model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
47
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
308
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
21-22mpg

The worst 2023 Subaru Ascent problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    10
  • Driver assistance
    8
  • Visibility
    6
  • Tires
    5
  • Electrical
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    10
  • Driver assistance
    8
  • Visibility
    6
  • Tires
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Airbags
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Seats
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls 4

Equipment: other: labelsReported July 7, 2026 · 541,237 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. 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. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

Recall number 26V436000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported September 21, 2023 · 4,311 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk
Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.

Recall number 23V647000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower armReported June 1, 2023 · 5 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Risk
Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23.

Recall number 23V392000 · Recall details

TiresReported April 7, 2023 · 4,409 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
Risk
A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.

Recall number 23V258000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2023 Subaru Ascent

Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Subaru Ascent 308

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 308 bulletins for the 2023 Subaru Ascent

2023 Subaru Ascent fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylAWD19-2025-2621-22

What 2023 Subaru Ascent owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · UT

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V436000 (EQUIPTMENT); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · CO

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V436000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Tires · 14,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Ziex ZE001 A/S, Tire Size: 245/50/R20 102H, DOT Number: [XXX] Contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the front wheels turned outward, the contact became aware that there was severe inner-edge tire wear with missing rubber on the inner sidewall of the front tires. The contact stated the vehicle was rarely driven and had low mileage. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V436000 (Equipment); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 14,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · NC

2024 Subaru Ascent – Intermittent Electrical / Ignition-Control Malfunction Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Ascent Mileage: Approximately 29,000 miles Chronology of Events August 19 Vehicle had been operating normally. First occurrence – grocery store •Returned to vehicle after shopping. •Opened rear hatch, loaded groceries and closed hatch. •Driver's door would not unlock using the key fob or by touching the keyless-access door handle. •Reopened and closed rear hatch to determine whether this would reset the condition. Driver's door still would not unlock. •Passenger door could be opened. •Used the interior passenger-door lock/unlock switch, which successfully unlocked the driver's door and the rest of the vehicle. •Entered vehicle, started it normally, drove home and parked it in the garage. Second occurrence – later the same day •Opened rear hatch, loaded items and closed hatch. •Driver's door was already unlocked; entered vehicle. •Vehicle would not start. •Pressing START/STOP produced no dashboard lights and no apparent electrical activity. •Left vehicle and went inside house for several minutes. •Upon returning, the vehicle had spontaneously entered an energized accessory/ignition state without anyone operating the START/STOP button. •Lights, ventilation fan and other accessories were operating. Engine was not running. •Vehicle would not start. •START/STOP button would not turn the electrical/accessory systems off. •Approximately 40 minutes later, the vehicle remained electrically powered and still could neither be started nor shut down. •The negative 12-volt battery terminal was disconnected as the only available means of shutting the vehicle down. The dealer been unable to assess the cause of the issue and suggested driving the vehicle until the problem reoccurs

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Tires · 25,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: ZIEX, Tire Size: 245/50/R20, DOT Number: 1R8KH DM2R 0323. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was rubber flying from the vehicle. The vehicle was driving to the shoulder of the road, and the driver became aware that the rear passenger's tire sidewalls were shredding, and the tread was separating. The contact's grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. AAA Roadside Assistance was contacted. Roadside Assistance replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V258000 (Tires); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · MI

I am reporting two issues with my vehicle that I believe require further attention and repair assistance. I am requesting that both issues be properly repaired without any charges to me. There are no warning lights, error messages, or other dashboard warnings related to either issue. However, both conditions are abnormal and affecting the vehicle’s operation and ownership experience. 1. Steering Noise (Inside Cabin). The steering assembly inside the cabin. Whenever I make any type of turn, either left or right, I hear a noticeable clicking/clocking noise coming from inside the steering column area. I want to clarify that this noise is not coming from the wheels, tires, suspension, or steering components connected outside the cabin. The sound is specifically coming from the steering wheel/steering column area inside the vehicle. I have had this concern checked, and the only suggestion provided was to replace the suspected component. The dealer did not provide written confirmation of the diagnosis but verbally advised that they could replace the component and see if it resolves the issue. However, since there is no guarantee that the replacement will correct the problem, I do not feel comfortable spending my own money on a repair that has not been confirmed. I have also spoken with multiple third-party mechanics, and some have verbally indicated that this type of steering noise is a known issue that can occur after a few years and may be related to the clock spring (spiral cable/ribbon) or another internal steering column component. Because this appears to be a known manufacturer-related concern and not a result of misuse or neglect, I request that the issue be properly repaired at no cost. 2. Rear Brake Squeaking Noise. The rear brake pads and rotors are new, but the brakes continue to make a noticeable squeaking/squealing noise. The noise usually occurs after driving for some time, especially in warm weather when the brakes reach normal operating temperature.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The vehicle exhibited transmission slippage but did not provide any warning lights or other symptoms . About 100 miles later, the Automatic Transmission Oil light came on (flashing YELLOW), and all other systems light up (both Yellow and Red) disabling front collision, auto vehicle hold, RAB, etc. Pulled to a safe location and left in park for 10-15 minutes per guidance. Had towed to dealer to determine issue, transmission failure on a 3.5 yr old vehicle with 80,019 miles.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Driver assistance · OH · crash · 2 injuries

On XXX, I was operating my vehicle heading Pocono PA, on I-80 in [XXX]. At approximately mile point 142.4, the vehicle's onboard Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) suddenly and unexpectedly activated without any obstruction, hazard, or vehicle ahead. The abrupt, automated braking and system intervention caused an immediate loss of vehicle control, forcing the car into a 180-degree spin. The violent shift in momentum caused the vehicle to roll over on the highway before coming to a stop. No other vehicles were involved in the initiation of the crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · IL

Sirius XM ads showing up and there’s no way to opt out. The ads are distracting/difficult to close and cover a good amount off my media system even while driving.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

2023 Subaru Ascent, under manufacturer basic warranty. Factory OEM battery has repeatedly failed. Voltage drops below 11.5V in normal use. Three documented failures in six weeks. SAFETY INCIDENT: Vehicle died on a public street and became completely immobilized. Brake warning light activated. Vehicle would not move even after a jump start. Passengers had to exit in a live traffic lane. A second vehicle was used to transport a replacement battery. The original battery is in my possession and available for inspection. A subsequent failure occurred when the original battery was reinstalled for a manufacturer-required diagnostic. Vehicle again would not start. KNOWN DEFECT: Subaru TSB 07-213-22R (revised 03/28/24) covers the 2023-24 Ascent battery and acknowledges the factory specification as inadequate, directing dealers to replace the battery, tray, cover, and holding rod with higher-capacity parts. This TSB was not proactively applied to my vehicle. The dealer did not identify or disclose it at earlier service visits where the battery concern was reported and "could not be reproduced." No recall or proactive owner notification has been issued. Dealers are not applying the TSB preventively. A complaint is open with Subaru of America Customer Advocacy. The manufacturer has declined to reimburse the out-of-pocket emergency replacement and has required a dealer diagnostic that has been repeatedly blocked by manufacturer/dealer procedural requirements.

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Compare the 2023 Subaru Ascent

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Other model years

20192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2023 Subaru Ascent

Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent reliable?

Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 2023 Subaru Ascent, fewer than a typical Ascent model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Subaru Ascent?

Brakes, with 10 complaints. Next is driver assistance (8).

How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have?

4 recalls, covering equipment, power train and suspension.

What year does the Subaru Ascent have bad brakes?

The Subaru Ascent model years with the most brakes complaints are 2019 (26 complaints), 2020 (26 complaints) and 2022 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Ascent get?

Official estimates for the 2023 Subaru Ascent range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 19-20 city and 25-26 highway.

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