Subaru Ascent Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru Ascent model year (2019–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru Ascent Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 272 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 294
3 recalls · 191 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 222
1 recall · 66 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 71
Best Subaru Ascent Years to Buy
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 4
0 recalls · 10 complaints
Main area: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 12
0 recalls · 26 complaints
Main area: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Problem score: 26
Found the right year? Verify that specific Ascent with a free VIN report.
Subaru Ascent — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 10 | 1 | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 26 | — | — | 26 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 2 | 35 | — | — | 41 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 37 | 4 | — | 48 | Good |
| 2021 | 1 | 66 | 1 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2020 | 3 | 191 | 11 | — | 222 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 6 | 272 | 2 | — | 294 | Avoid |
All 8 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru Ascent Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Ascent models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 4 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Ascent should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Subaru Ascent if possible. It has 6 recalls, 272 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 294 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Ascent to buy?+
The 2026 Subaru Ascent is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 4. It has only 1 recall and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Ascent has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru Ascent Research
Check a Specific Subaru Ascent VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →