2021 Subaru Ascent Problems, Recalls & Reliability
141 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Subaru Ascent, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 26/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Driver assistance leads the reports.
Typical
Where 2021 sits among all Ascent years
What owners report
“Lane assist with cruise control over corrects. On multiple occasions while on the freeway using cruise control the lane assist pulled me into the other lane into other vehicles. I have almost hit two other vehicles. The pull is too strong and crosses lanes. I have to keep it off. Forward collision…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2021 Ascent
Recalls (2)
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…
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 are…
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…
Fix: Owners 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…
Technical service bulletins
361 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2021 Subaru Ascent. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2021 Ascent TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Ascent drew 141 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 26/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems?
The top reported problems for the 2021 Subaru Ascent are driver assistance (25 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (18), and visibility & wipers (17).
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Subaru Ascent. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.