Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Ascent, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 7 | 16% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 14% |
| Tires | 4 | 9% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 7% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 5% |
| Wheels | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
2024 Subaru Ascent – Intermittent Electrical / Ignition-Control Malfunction Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Ascent Mileage: Approximately 29,000 miles Chronology of Events August 19 Vehicle had been operating normally. First occurr
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: ZIEX, Tire Size: 245/50/R20, DOT Number: 1R8KH DM2R 0323. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was rubber flying
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I am reporting two issues with my vehicle that I believe require further attention and repair assistance. I am requesting that both issues be properly repaired without any charges to me. There are no warning lights, erro
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The vehicle exhibited transmission slippage but did not provide any warning lights or other symptoms . About 100 miles later, the Automatic Transmission Oil light came on (flashing YELLOW), and all other systems light u
NHTSA complaint: Power train
On XXX, I was operating my vehicle heading Pocono PA, on I-80 in [XXX]. At approximately mile point 142.4, the vehicle's onboard Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) suddenly and unexpectedly activated without any o
NHTSA complaint: Forward collision avoidance
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.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 publ
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 dis
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2023 Subaru Ascent. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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 numb
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 retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
Risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 servic
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's
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
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 ma
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 7 of them (16%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2023 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.