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2020 Subaru Ascent: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

5Safety recalls
322Owner complaints
5★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2020 Subaru Ascent has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns and 322 owner complaints on file, with an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether recalls apply, whether repairs were completed, and what to verify before you buy.

2020 Subaru Ascent safety record graphic showing 5 recalls, 322 owner complaints and 5-star overall NHTSA rating.
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2020 Subaru Ascent pages show model-level safety data. A Carchieve VIN report checks the exact car before you buy.

Safety record reviewed October 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2020 Subaru Ascent has 5 safety recall campaigns and 322 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public model-level safety record. To see whether a specific Ascent had applicable recalls repaired and what its decoded VIN says, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign 21V955000 · 09/12/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.

RiskAn improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyDealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.
2

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Campaign 21V954000 · 09/12/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.

RiskThe tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyDealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.
3

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign 21V587000 · 29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyDealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Campaign 22V907000 · 08/12/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.

RiskA melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
RemedyOwners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
5

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign 26V436000 · 07/07/2026

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."

RiskAn incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedySubaru 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.

What owners complain about

The systems 2020 Subaru Ascent owners report most often to federal regulators:

Electrical System101
Visibility60
Power Train58
Unknown Or Other56
Wiper49
Engine29

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?

Yes. The 2020 Subaru Ascent has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns associated with this model year. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer when the exact VIN is affected. Check your specific VIN to confirm applicability and completion.

What problems do 2020 Subaru Ascent owners report?

Owners have filed 322 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, most often about the electrical system, visibility, power train.

How do I check a specific Ascent's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2020 Subaru Ascent

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm recalls, decoded specifications and buyer checks.

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Other model years

2024 Subaru Ascent2023 Subaru Ascent2022 Subaru Ascent2021 Subaru Ascent2019 Subaru Ascent