Most common 2023 Subaru Ascent problems
Share of the 45 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Ascent complaints by model year
Best Ascent years: 2022, 2023, 2021. Compare all years →
2023 Subaru Ascent recalls (4)
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
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.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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.
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.
Tires
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.
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.
What 2023 Subaru Ascent owners say
Brakes
There was a SUDDEN and UNINTENDED acceleration without the driver input while braking to park going approximately 1 - 2 MPH. Our safety was at risk. The vehicle was not in our control. A police report was generated. Rather than stopping we crashed into the apartment building causing significant damage to both the apartment and our vehicle. There were no warnings, no automatic braking to avoid the collision, the air bags did not deploy. The total damages are still being determined by the dealer and insurance company.
unknown defects in some vehicles that could cause sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input Yes, our safety was at risk. The vehicle was clearly not in our control. A police report was generated. The car plowed through the garage no control to brake The damages are being inspected by insurance. There were no waring lights that I could see
Driver assistance
On [redacted], I was operating my vehicle heading Pocono PA, on I-80 in [redacted]. At approximately mile point 142.4, the vehicle's onboard Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) suddenly and unexpectedly activated without any obstruction, hazard, or vehicle ahead. The abrupt, automated braking and system intervention caused an immediate loss of vehicle control, forcing the car into a 180-degree spin. The violent shift in momentum caused the vehicle to roll over on the highway before coming to a stop. No other vehicles were involved in the initiation of the crash.
Subaru Eyesight will turn off randomly while driving or while parked (turn the vehicle off, unlock the door, sit for a minute or two and when restarting the vehicle, eyesight indicator is orange - off. Example - getting fuel at a full service gas station. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Our safety is put at risk. Once Eyesight is off it will not reset/restart, so you are driving without the number one Subaru safety feature. We can reproduce the error. The Dealer just looked at the codes and said it was normal operation. We reported the error to Subaru Customer care and we have a case number. Subaru Customer care is going to contact the Dealer. There is a small red "i" indicator light in the dash that will light up after Eyesight fails. There are no warnings of the failure. We understand rain, snow and fog will impact Eyesight. …
Wheels & tires
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: ZIEX, Tire Size: 245/50/R20, DOT Number: 1R8KH DM2R 0323. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was rubber flying from the vehicle. The vehicle was driving to the shoulder of the road, and the driver became aware that the rear passenger's tire sidewalls were shredding, and the tread was separating. The contact's grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. AAA Roadside Assistance was contacted. Roadside Assistance replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V258000 (Tires); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Ascent equipped with Falken Tires, Tire Line: Ziex ZE001 A/S, Tire Size: 245/50/R20 102H, DOT Number: [redacted] Contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the front wheels turned outward, the contact became aware that there was severe inner-edge tire wear with missing rubber on the inner sidewall of the front tires. The contact stated the vehicle was rarely driven and had low mileage. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V436000 (Equipment); and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 14,000.
2023 Subaru Ascent engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | CVT | AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent a good car?
Based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Ascent rates better than average: 75% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ascent at the same age. It is one of the best Ascent years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
The brakes — 10 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the driver assistance (8) and wheels & tires (7).
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2023 Subaru Ascent, the most recent from July 7, 2026 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Ascent?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2023 and 2021. See the full Subaru Ascent years comparison.
At what mileage do 2023 Subaru Ascent problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.