2019 Subaru Ascent Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent.

< older2020
Complaints
545
per 10K Sold
66.5
US Sales
81,958
Crashes
17
Fires
13
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2019 Subaru Ascent Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1155 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:13,068 mi
Fires:4
#280 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:16,797 mi
Crash-related:1
#366 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

Avg mileage:13,135 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2019 Subaru Ascent.

Electrical Faults
155
complaints
Crashes
Fires
4
Avg Miles
13,068
Transmission / Drivetrain
80
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
16,797
Wipers & Visibility
66
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,135
Engine Problems
47
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
11,183
Brakes
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
13,726
Fuel System
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
8,303
Visibility:Windshield
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,856
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
12,450
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
20,820
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
4,155
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
14,328
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
6,185
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2019 Subaru Ascent

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~963,038 vehicles.

22V907000Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
~271,694 affected

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.

21V955000Power Train:driveline:chain/belt · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~198,255 affected

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.

21V587000Fuel Pump
~175,968 affected

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.

20V218000Fuel Pump
~188,207 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

19V856000Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
~51,613 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

19V855000Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~76,842 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

19V519000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~166 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.

18V508000Structure:body:roof And Pillars
~293 affected

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.

Other Subaru Ascent Years

2019 Subaru Ascent — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2019 Subaru Ascent reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2019 Subaru Ascent has 545 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 155 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (155 complaints, avg 13,068 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (80 complaints, avg 16,797 mi); Wipers & Visibility (66 complaints, avg 13,135 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 13,719 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent include 17 crash-related reports, 13 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 963,038 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Ascent?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2019 Subaru Ascent shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Ascent reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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