2023 Subaru Ascent recalls and problems

The 2023 Subaru Ascent has 4 recalls and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2023 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 8 Ascent model years — 6th most.

4recalls

47complaints

4crashes

1fires

4injuries

25,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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4 recalls

Equipment

Jul 7, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Power Train

Sep 21, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V647000 · 4,311 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Suspension

Jun 1, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V392000 · 5 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Tires

Apr 7, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V258000 · 4,409 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Service Brakes10

Unknown or other8

Forward Collision Avoidance7

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2023 vs. other Subaru Ascent years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2023. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2023 Subaru Ascent, the latest from Jul 7, 2026 (equipment). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Ascent?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (10), unknown or other (8), forward collision avoidance (7). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.