Subaru Ascent 2022 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Ascent 2022 and 56 complaints filed by owners. One of them carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning until repaired. It has 62% fewer complaints than the average Subaru Ascent from 2019–2025 (148 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Subaru Ascent 2022? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Subaru Ascent 2022
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 2026-07-07
What happens
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."
Consequence
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 22V907000 · 2022-12-08 !
Owners are advised to park it outside and away from structures until repaired (fire risk).
What happens
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.
Consequence
A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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 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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
56 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
6 with a crash · 2 with a fire · 6 injuries
Most reported problems on the Subaru Ascent 2022
- Powertrain and transmission: 14 (25% of complaints)
- Brakes: 10 (18% of complaints)
- Engine: 9 (16% of complaints)
- Wipers: 7 (13% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 6 (11% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Subaru Ascent 2022
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Subaru Ascent recalls by year
- 2019 : 9 recalls · 443 complaints
- 2020 : 5 recalls · 324 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 103 complaints
- 2022 : 2 recalls · 56 complaints
- 2023 : 4 recalls · 45 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recall · 51 complaints
- 2025 : 1 recall · 15 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Subaru Ascent 2022 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Ascent 2022. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Ascent 2022?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (14 of 56 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 24, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).