Subaru Ascent 2023 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Ascent 2023 and 45 complaints filed by owners. It has 70% 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 2023? 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 2023
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.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 23V647000 · 2023-09-21
What happens
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.
Consequence
Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 23V392000 · 2023-06-01
What happens
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.
Consequence
Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Tires
NHTSA campaign 23V258000 · 2023-04-07
What happens
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.
Consequence
A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 number for this recall is WRH-23.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
45 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
4 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 4 injuries
Most reported problems on the Subaru Ascent 2023
- Brakes: 10 (22% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 7 (16% of complaints)
- Wipers: 6 (13% of complaints)
- Tires: 5 (11% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 4 (9% 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 2023
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Ask whether the system braked on its own for no reason ("phantom braking") and whether software updates are pending.
- Test every wiper speed and the washer.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 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 2023 have?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Ascent 2023. 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 2023?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: brakes (10 of 45 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).