Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Subaru Ascent, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 22 | 44% |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 14% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THIS VEHICLE WAS REVERSING, DETECTED AN OBSTACLE AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, IT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND THEN CAUSED ME TO TRAVELTHROUGH THE FRONT YARD OF MY HOUSE. EVEN THOUGH THE REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM DE
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
While driving, shortly after starting the trip (after traveling approximately a quarter mile), I felt what seemed like a bite or an electric shock on my left ankle, at floor level. I immediately pulled over and stopped t
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I am submitting this complaint regarding the original-equipment Falken ZIEX ZE001 A/S 245/50R20 tires installed on two separate 2024 Subaru Ascents owned by my family. The vehicles were purchased approximately one month
NHTSA complaint: Tires
While pulling up to a drive thru window the vehicle shuddered and the engine shut off. I lost all power steering and had to come to a stop, shift into park, then restart the engine. No check engine lights or warnings il
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I am a current lessee of a 2024 Subaru Ascent. I leased this vehicle starting July 27, 2024. My lease ends on July 27, 2027. I live 60 miles away from the dealership and only did a test drive around town. The minute I go
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
While cruising on a 2-lane road or a freeway, the vehicle will cross over the adjacent line, either left or right. This generally happens between 50 to 75 mph. The event happens either when cruise control is on or off.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
On 9-May, 2026, the vehicle was driven during the morning with no warning lights or indication of component failure. Vehicle was parked on the owner's driveway at approximately 13:00. Approximately 15:40 I started the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The hood acts like it is going to come loose whenever I : 1> Meet a semi-truck on a two lane road. 2> If following a truck on interstate. 3> Driving when windy. The flex in hood is very unnerving for fear it is going
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2024 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 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 | 97 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
| Safety | 97 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 22 of them (44%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 97/100 (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 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2024 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 78/100. 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.