2020 Subaru Ascent problems and complaints
Owners have filed 324 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Ascent. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (101), Power Train (59), Unknown Or Other (57).
Key takeaways
- 324 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 6 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 5 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 101 | 31% |
| Power Train | 59 | 18% |
| Unknown Or Other | 57 | 18% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 49 | 15% |
| Engine | 29 | 9% |
| Service Brakes | 26 | 8% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 | 4% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 12 | 4% |
| Visibility | 11 | 3% |
| Structure | 10 | 3% |
| Suspension | 8 | 2% |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
- Wiper blades
- Headlight bulb
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| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train - filed 2026-10-20
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, while driving at various undisclosed speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly failed to accelerate and lost power. The contact also stated that the vehicle felt sluggish while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed...
Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-10-19
I have experienced problems with the rear lift gate on multiple occasions. It is working intermittently and locking me out. The beeping while the car is in motion is continuous and it drained the battery; I had to purchase a new battery. Another time we had to disconnect the battery (as suggested by the dealership) ...
Wheels - filed 2026-09-11
After replacing tires I started hearing noises from rear wheel. I searched online and it appears there is an issue with wheel bearings on several Subaru models (see YOUTUBE video by FIXBOOK dated July 12, 2026). The issue was confirmed by my Subaru dealer on 9/10/2026. Subary wheel bearings prior to 2026 were subject ...
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More for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.