2025 Subaru Ascent problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior (2) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Steering (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Ascent model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment:other:labels 2026-07-07 · campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (120)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Engine 2026-09-29 · 09-141-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-15 · 12-268-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass vibrating at highway speeds.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 120 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-21 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 22,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2025 subaru ascent. the contact stated that while pulling into a parking spot with a foot on the brake pedal, the engine suddenly revved loudly and unintendedly accelerated. the vehicle crashed into a pole head-on and came to a stop. the vehicle was towed from the scene and was deemed a total loss. the contact sustained cuts on …”
2026-08-17 · Air Bags“was getting out the car the door shut car door and side curtain on drivers side and drivers seats airbag deployed. my children were in the car no injuries during event. but, could have depending on when the airbags would have deployed if not then. please inspect. had manufacturer come inspect and was denied repair. no lamps or messaged reported. (n…”
2026-07-23 · Steering“2025 subaru ascent has a popping noise randomly usually when turning left. dealership services can not find the source.…”
2026-06-26 · Steering“the car will spontaneously brake for no reason while driving forward and reverse. the steering wheel will spontaneously steer you out of the lane. the doors will lock while you are in the car and you can't get out for about 30 seconds. the deck door will come down on you unexpectedly while loading items. it has hit us in the head or makes us twist …”
2026-06-25 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking“traveling in my 2025 subaru ascent with cruise control set at 50mph. bright sunny day, no shadows on the road and no vehicles in front of me. my vehicle slammed on the brakes out of nowhere. held deceleration about 5-7 seconds and then resumed cruising speed. the road i was on is generally busy. i got very lucky there was no one behind me or…”
2026-06-03 · Engine“31 may 2026 (am) operating vehicle north on md rte 147 traveling appr. 45 mph when vehicle started experiencing uncontrolled electrical activation of features e.g., heat, air, radio, main display. this proceed a shuddering in the drive train like one would experience with a transmission issue. then, without warning, while at full speed, there was a…”
2026-05-03 · Structure:body“the window pillars on the passenger side deformed on exposure to sunlight reflected from our house windows; in less than 6 months of ownership! we are the original owners and took possession in june 2025. both the local subaru dealer and subaru usa have been involved. subaru usa case number is: 251230 - 1500232. subaru will not cover this despite u…”
2026-02-28 · Unknown Or Other“while driving the passenger door window behind the driver burst, then began falling into the car. the safety issue would have occurred if one of my grandchildren were sitting there. also, the startling event of it just bursting and possible causing a jerk in the car. the dealer said that they have not heard of this and would not repair under war…”
2025-12-21 · Engine · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“i hit a deer on ca 395 north, my braking system worked and my air bags deployed, and then my engine immediately caught fire. i’m lucky i was able to get out of the car through a back door. every police and fire who responded said they have never seen a car catch fire after hitting a deer and i should report a vehicle malfunction …”
2025-12-05 · Tires“i own a 2025 subaru ascent limited. at approximately 20,000 miles, one of the original tires (factory-installed) developed a straight split along the tread/shoulder area. the cut was very straight, almost like along a seam, and i could see metal/steel cords exposed through the opening. there was no major impact, curb strike, or pothole event that i…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.