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2023 Subaru Ascent

The Verdict

90 Smooth Ride

The 2023 Subaru Ascent has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (25 complaints) and brakes (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 90/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Subaru Ascent, consider the 2025 model year which has 70% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 70% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Subaru Ascent dashboard →

90

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

23V258000 TIRES

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 n...

Reported Jul 4, 2023

23V392000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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 ret...

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 ser...

Reported Jan 6, 2023

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2019136231475669
202011419973848
2021497161015
202219951111
2023258142
2024391332
202591020

By Category

Body
25
Brakes
8
Engine
4
Transmission
2
Electrical
1

By Severity

1
23
2
11
3
1
4
5

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 4

On July 3, 2026, I was operating my vehicle heading Pocono PA, on I-80 in Pennsylvania. 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.

9d ago
Body 1

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.

1mo ago
Engine 1

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.

2mo ago
Engine 1

In 2024, 2025, and 2026, I have had 2 incidents in each year where the cruise control is set to 60 to 65 mph and the cruise control then accelerates the car past 100 mph. When this occurs, tapping the break does NOT disengage the cruise control. All 6 times I have had to slam the breaks to a full dead stop while the car tries to accelerate anyway. April 4, 2026 and April 14, 2026 are the most recent occurrences and all occurrences so far for this issue have been during a downhill road incline. The dealer has dismissed the problem every time and has been unable to fix or reproduce the problem on demand. The random frequency of this problem can easily lead to a significant accident for the driver or others in the vicinity. And the lack of resolution from the Subaru dealer has lead me to report the issue here in hopes that if this is occurring for other vehicles that the company takes an actual resolution to solve the issue in their cruise control function.

3mo ago
Transmission 1

I was entering an intersection to make a left-hand turn. I was driving at a low speed. My foot was pressing the accelerator and the car entered the intersection. In the middle of the intersection, the car wheels suddenly stopped turning. There was nothing in front of the car. Cars behind me began honking since my car stopped suddenly and unexpectedly while I saw a notice displayed on the car messaging, but I do not know what it said. I am unsure if the car engine turned off or not, but I remember turning on my hazard lights, putting the car in park and pressing the start button. I was able to drive out of the intersection to a safe location and turned off the car engine. I restarted the car and drove immediately to the dealer where I purchased the car from for them to evaluate it. It is currently being submitted for diagnostics at the car dealer. I told them I would make this safety report while I waited.

7mo ago
Body 1

When crossing a bridge at 40 mph with wide open lanes and shoulders the vehicle on cruise control suddenly braked aggressively and came to a full stop in the middle of a state highway bridge. Conditions were daylight, headed towards sun, no shadows on bridge. The road surface was smooth asphalt. There were shoulders as wide as the active lanes. There was no warning and very little time for a driver reaction. This type of vehicle behavior will most certainly cause rear end collisions.

10mo ago
Body 2

Incident Description – Event 1 On August 28, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m. while driving on Sugar Ridge Road, my 2023 Subaru Ascent suddenly jerked violently into the left lane without warning while the EyeSight Driver Assist system was active. I had to take immediate corrective action to maintain control and avoid a head-on collision. This behavior has occurred on multiple occasions under similar circumstances. My husband has also experienced the same issue while driving, which demonstrates this is not an isolated event. Incident Description – Event 2 On multiple other occasions, while the EyeSight Driver Assist system was engaged, the vehicle veered dangerously close to a semi-truck traveling beside us. I had to react instantly to prevent sideswiping the truck, which could have resulted in a severe accident. We have noticed this behavior occurs nearly every time we are alongside a semi-truck on the highway.

10mo ago
Body 2

The passenger-side mirror on my Ascent has been damaged and removed since March 2025. I paid for the part on April 8, 2025 and was told it would arrive in a few weeks. As of July 1, 2025, the part has been delayed until August. The mirror is critical for visibility and safe operation. My wife drives this car daily with our infant. Subaru has refused to provide a rental, and the car is unsafe. I’ve contacted Subaru Corporate with no resolution, despite my continued persistence in contacting them through visits to their dealership in Plano, TX and several emails.

12mo ago
Body 2

The windshield on the 2023 is extremely susceptible to cracking easily. Chips turn to cracks within minutes

13mo ago
Brakes 1

I am filing a formal complaint against Subaru of America regarding a safety defect in my 2023 Subaru Ascent (VIN: [XXX] ) and their failure to honor warranty and recall obligations. Subaru issued recall TSB 06-92-24 to address front brake vibration by replacing rotors and pads with upgraded parts. My vehicle received this repair in September 2024. Less than 9,000 miles later, the exact same symptoms returned—steering wheel shaking and brake pulsation. In April 2025, Subaru resurfaced the upgraded rotors instead of replacing them, violating their own TSB, which prohibits unnecessary resurfacing and mandates rotor replacement if runout exceeds 0.05 mm. An independent inspection dated April 9, 2025, confirmed: Left front rotor measures 29.0 mm with 0.5 mm runout (10x Subaru’s limit) Right front rotor also measures 29.0 mm Subaru’s dealership claimed the rotors were 30.09 mm and 29.50 mm—inaccurate and misleading Subaru returned the vehicle in an unsafe condition with documented brake system defects. Their customer service insists the vehicle is “operating as designed,” despite clear evidence to the contrary. I am requesting regulatory review and a full buyback or enforcement of proper warranty compliance. Photos, inspection documents, and invoices are available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

15mo ago
Brakes 1

Formal Complaint Summary (VIN: [XXX] ) I am submitting this formal complaint concerning a 2023 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Limited (VIN: [XXX] ), which continues to experience brake-related safety defects despite recall repairs and repeated service attempts during the warranty period. Subaru of America issued Service Bulletin 06-92-24 in July 2024, which extended warranty coverage and acknowledged systemic issues with front brake components—specifically brake pulsation, squealing, pedal softness, and vibration. Subaru developed new components and repair protocols to address these issues, including new rotors, tie bars, pad kits, and a revised installation process. In September 2024, I brought the vehicle to CMA’s Subaru of Winchester after experiencing symptoms covered under the recall. Subaru replaced all required recall components. However, the defect returned in March 2025, while driving from Indianapolis to Winchester, now worse than before—resulting in violent steering wheel vibration, loud grinding noises, and unsafe braking behavior, particularly during downhill braking. Instead of replacing the parts again, Subaru resurfaced the upgraded rotors—despite the bulletin’s warnings against doing so. This resurfacing served as a temporary patch, not a true fix, and failed to resolve the underlying safety issue. I have made 21 lease payments totaling $13,707.96 and paid a $6,000 down payment, totaling $19,707.96 in out-of-pocket costs. Subaru has offered only a $2,500 goodwill payment, which I rejected. Relief Requested: I am requesting a full reimbursement with buy back under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Investigation to the reoccurring break issues despite being serviced for a recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

15mo ago
Engine 4

The warning lights on the car flashed and the car shut down. I was on the highway. I called 911 and they told me to quickly and safely exit the car. Less than a minute later, the engine combusted and the car was engulfed in flames.

16mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the Eyesight system was intermittently inoperable. A message indicating that the Eyesight function was disabled was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the Eyesight icon turned from green to white with a line across. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be replicated. The dealer advised the contact to keep records of occurrences of the failure. The contact followed the dealer's instructions. The contact stated that upon following up with the dealer, the dealer informed the contact that the regional field engineer had been notified of the failure and advised that there was no remedy to correct the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

20mo ago
Body 1

2023 Subaru Ascent Touring. Front windshield easily cracked from minor rock strikes 3 times within 20 months. Replacement with Subarus OEM glasses twice already within 3 months. Now a new crack needs repair or potential replacement. Defective windshield that cannot withhold minor impact is clearly serious safety concern, increased stress on owner and burden on insurance, and impact to vehicle structural integrity for repeated replacements, and depreciation of vehicle value.

22mo ago
Body 2

Unusual wear on tires - 7/32 at 8000 miles, 5/32 at 15000 miles, advised to replace all tires at 15000 miles. Existing recall WRH-23 covering vehicles manufactured between Dec 2022 and Jan 2023. My vehicle shows manufacturing date of March 2023 but I believe may be part of the same issue. See below Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall and stop sale for certain 2023 model year Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. Description of the Defect and Safety Risk The vehicles included in this recall/stop sale may be equipped with tires that were damaged during the wheel mounting and assembly process. A misaligned bead guide arm on the tire mounting equipment may have caused excessive stress on the tire bead during mounting, possibly causing damage to the internal structure of the tire. Internal damage to the tire bead may lead to structural failure of the tire and rapid tire deflation, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will remove and replace all four tires with new ones at no cost to the customer. All removed tires should be rendered unusable and be disposed of according to local regulations. Affected Vehicles A total of 4,409 U.S. Subaru Ascent vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below: 2023 Ascent (w/20” wheels) December 1, 2022 – January 5, 2023 Not all vehicles in the production date range listed above are affected by this recall. Coverage must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair. This information is now available

22mo ago
Brakes 4

There was a SUDDEN and UNINTENDED acceleration without the driver input while braking to park going approximately 1 - 2 MPH. Our safety was at risk. The vehicle was not in our control. A police report was generated. Rather than stopping we crashed into the apartment building causing significant damage to both the apartment and our vehicle. There were no warnings, no automatic braking to avoid the collision, the air bags did not deploy. The total damages are still being determined by the dealer and insurance company.

22mo ago
Brakes 4

unknown defects in some vehicles that could cause sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input Yes, our safety was at risk. The vehicle was clearly not in our control. A police report was generated. The car plowed through the garage no control to brake The damages are being inspected by insurance. There were no waring lights that I could see

23mo ago
Body 1

Windshield is delicate and very easily chipped. Windshield has three different chips from 4000 miles of paved road driving. Small chips have quickly spread into long cracks across the windshield.

23mo ago
Body 3

On May 12, 2024 I placed my vehicle in Park. As I exited, it rolled back. The door knocked me down and the car rolled over my left leg, injuring my lower leg, ankle, and foot. Problem has not been reproduced. Vehicle has not been inspected. I phoned the dealer, who denied any knowledge of the problem.

26mo ago
Body 1

The vehicle is stated to get 20 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the Highway and 22 MPG combined according to the monroney label that I have when I purchased the vehicle new in October 2023. I am only seeing about 15 -17. I drive mostly in the city. I took a highway trip once and got about 20 MPG after resetting the meter and a fresh fill up. I hear of other people in online forums getting a little better MPG but they have to drive it very carefully. Like never letting the RPM's get over 200, slow starts and coasting a lot. To me this is not normal driving. I am expecting at lease 20 MPG in the city with normal driving, not driving like an old grandma. So I believe that Subaru has misrepresented their information on the monroney label. I am ok with you inspecting the vehicle. no warming lights on indicating a problem.

30mo ago

40 total

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