2020 Subaru Ascent Safety Report
2020 SUBARU ASCENT Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Subaru Ascent. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (309) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 6 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Subaru Ascent with 8 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Subaru Ascent before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Ascent Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Ascent years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Ascent | 92 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | 431 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Ascent | 48 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Subaru Ascent | 36 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Subaru Ascent | 42 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Subaru Ascent Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Subaru Ascent, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
82 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyVisibility/Wiper
44 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyPower Train
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyService Brakes
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Subaru onlyVisibility
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Reliability Score
The 2020 Subaru Ascent receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Ascent:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Recalls have been issued for wiring issues in the interior and under the dash, affecting the 2019-2022 Ascent models. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Recalls have been issued for automatic transmission control module issues in the 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy, and 2020 Outback models. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine There have been reports of engine sludge issues, requiring engine replacement in some cases. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension There have been reports of tie rod assembly issues, but these are less frequent than other issues. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Subaru Ascent:
Issues with the wiring in the interior and under the dash have been reported.
Automatic transmission control module issues have been reported.
Engine sludge issues have been reported.
Tie rod assembly issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Subaru Ascent by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 gr...
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Consequence: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-8...
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Consequence: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Subaru Ascent with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
I was driving and I got check engine light and all safety features disabled while I was in the freeway, luckily I was able to drive to nearby Subaru dealer for inspection and I found out that there was a recall on the engine for this vehicle and when I contacted the manufacturer they asked me to take it for diagnostics and I did that at a Subaru retailer, but the case manager told me that this rec...
Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent (Build Date: March 2020) Component: Power Train – Automatic Transmission – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor / Wiring Harness The vehicle developed a flashing "Transmission Service" warning and check engine light. It was inspected by a certified technician at Lithia Reno Subaru. Diagnostic scan identified multiple transmission-related codes including P0137, P0700, P2096, P186...
Oil Leak(s) (found cam carriers leaking, front timing cover leaking, oil cooler leaking, upper and lower oil pan leaking. recommend engine reseal). Massive oil leaks found in car due to RTV sealant. Subaru uses RTV silicone sealant (formed-in-place gaskets) instead of traditional rubber gaskets for many sealing surfaces (cam carriers to heads, timing cover, oil pans, etc.). Transmission failure...
Car has 82,000 miles, has been maintained and requires an engine replacement due to 'Sludge'. Reading a lot of forums that indicate this is a common situation with this make and model and likely due to manufacturer's defects.
I have had my lane assist come on by its self a few times, which is very dangerous because it seems to take over and will pull on the steering wheel. I’ve also brought my car back to the dealership a handful of times to have it hooked up to a computer and also someone ride with me because the car will either hesitate to accelerate or stutters and doesn’t seem to want to go when I am between 20-30 ...
Although the NHTSA form does not include a transmission category, this complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent, which caused oil migration into the wiring harness and contamination of the Engine Control Module (ECM). This complaint concerns a critical transmission-related defect in my 2020 Subaru Ascent. The vehicle has been inoperable since June 2025 d...
Replaced front multi plate transfer clutch at 96,987 miles.
i purchased this vehicle from Northwest Chevrolet in McKenna, Wa on [XXX] and they did not disclose to me that there were open recalls prior to my purchase. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The CVT transmission has failed and been replaced three times despite proper maintenance. Subaru has replaced the transmission multiple times under warranty, but the failure continues to recur. •First CVT replacement at 50,542 miles •Second CVT replacement at 88,175 miles •Third CVT replacement at 92,832 miles This shows repeat failure, not wear-and-tear. It is a safety risk: The vehicle h...
Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Ascent Issue: Cold weather software glitch If you are operating an Ascent or possibly other Subarus with the CVT in temperatures below -20F be certain to have either a small wrench or the appropriate size socket to loosen the ground clamp on the battery ground cable with you so you can employ what I call the magic Windows fix wherin one completely de-powers the system and reb...
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine service, where it was discovered that the cam carrier was leaking from the engine. While having an oil change, the mechanic informed the contact that there were no further leaks found. There were no warning lights illuminated. After driving and parking the vehicle, there was an abno...
Car is making loud noises while going over uneven roads. Only have 64,000 miles on it and I need to replace the struts.
Unknown PCV valve failure caused catastrophic engine failure on interstate highway (70 mph speed limit). Luckily there was room to pull to the side and no one got hurt. This part was recalled in 2019 models due to possible loss of control from engine failure. Dealer tore down engine to determine cause for possible warranty coverage and found the PCV valve was the cause of engine failure. There wer...
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the undercarriage while driving over bumps in the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front struts had failed and needed to be replaced. The co...
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal to make a turn, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,900.
The driver's side headlamp assembly (one complete piece, LED lighting) has a thin strip at the top that is used for daytime running lights. These are automatically on when the vehicle is on and it's not yet dark. In early 2024, this driver's side thin strip daytime running lights stopped working entirely. I've learned that the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced, rather than being able to j...
My 2020 Subaru Ascent experienced a sudden failure of critical safety systems due to CVT fluid leaking through the transmission pressure switch into multiple electrical components. This fluid leak damaged several wire harnesses and the Engine Control Module (ECM). The check engine light came on and all Eyesight safety features disabled. Subaru has confirmed this will cost over $9,400 to repair. T...
The driver front seat bottom frame has came loose and rocks back and forth when driving, especially during start and stops. It was serviced and the dealer stated the movement comes from the side rails of the seat and is referenced via bulletin 12-288-20 stating its a known issue and the frame has been redesigned for this issue. After research, this seems to occur with a number of Subaru models...
Extreme rattle/clunking driving over bumps especially on dirt roads. Seems to be many people are having this issue. I know of another co worker who has a 2020 ascent making the same noise. Apparently there is a strut issue
Ever since our car went in for re-programing CVT drive chain it progressively has been having a problem of something slipping in drive and in cruise control. feels like a loss of power and a feeling chatter from transmission. Now when you put it in drive it makes a jerking noise. the thing is that we never had this problem until it went in for this recall. it's been back twice...
Showing 20 of 309 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Subaru Ascent
Has the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT have?
The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has 309 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT involve electrical system (82 complaints), visibility/wiper (44 complaints), power train (37 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, service brakes, visibility.
How many crash reports does the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT out of 309 total complaints (1.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT out of 309 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 309 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (82 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (44 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (37 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (32 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (13 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 82 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
Be aware of potential recalls, especially for the electrical system and power train, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid engine sludge and suspension issues. The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT has 309 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
The 2020 SUBARU ASCENT receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 309 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT?
Known issues with the 2020 SUBARU ASCENT include: Electrical System, Power Train, Engine, Suspension. These are based on patterns found across 309 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Yes, there have been recalls for electrical system and power train issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
The most common issues are with the electrical system and power train, followed by engine sludge and suspension problems.
Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent reliable?
While generally reliable, it has had multiple recalls and some common issues, so regular maintenance is important.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential recalls, especially for the electrical system and power train, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid engine sludge and suspension issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Subaru Ascent
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Subaru Ascent. The data includes 309 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Subaru Ascent an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16