2021 Subaru Ascent recalls

2 safety recalls, 104 owner complaints. Official NHTSA data.

2Recalls
104Complaints
4Crashes & fires reported
N/ANHTSA overall rating

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2021 Subaru Ascent recall list

Equipment recall

26V-436
July 8, 2026 · Subaru of America, Inc.
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."
Safety 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.

Electrical System recall

Park outside22V-907
December 8, 2022 · Subaru of America, Inc.
Problem
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.
Safety risk
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 ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.

2021 Subaru Ascent owner complaints

104 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Problems by component

Power Train20
Electrical System18
Unknown or Other16
Visibility/Wiper15
Lane Departure15
Engine12
Service Brakes9
Structure7
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Steering7

Recent complaints

October 24, 2026Power Train

Trying to turn onto the street from a parking lot the vehicle wasn't accelerating as expected and I wasn't able to turn as expected. I am taking the car in soon to be diagnosed with an issue.

October 14, 2026Visibility/Wiper

I purchased a new 2021 Subaru Ascent in XXX. In XXX, at about 36,000 miles, I discovered water leaking into the cabin through the panoramic moonroof during rain and brought it to Lynnes Subaru ([XXX]) immediately. Through repeat visits and recurrences, Lynnes failed to diagnose it, blaming clogged drains. In fall 2025 they identified it, with help from a Subaru corporate regional engineer, and performed a moonroof replacement. Because I acted quickly EACH TIME water entered, there was no odor or upholstery damage at that time. Water intrusion continued in areas not visible inside the cabin (seatbelt recess). [XXX] and SOA knew right away water was still entering the vehicle. SOA told me to w

August 31, 2026Electrical SystemUnknown or Other

After my husband replaced the 12V battery in my 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring ($90,000, fully paid off), Apple CarPlay stopped connecting via USB entirely. Android Auto and Bluetooth continued working fine on the same phone, cable, and port, proving the defect was isolated to Subaru's CarPlay system, not my device. I spent significant time and money troubleshooting this myself: multiple cables (including two labeled "Apple certified"), a full infotainment factory reset, and a software update attempt, none of which fixed it. The issue only resolved after I purchased yet another cable at my own expense, with zero meaningful help from Subaru. When I filed a formal complaint, I received a response

August 28, 2026Power Train

My local Subaru dealership / service provider has told me my car needs a new transmission at 66k miles, due to an issue within the CVT solenoid causing slipping and lag that will eventually lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission - per the Subaru of America service tree. This issue began on July 23, 2026, when a slew of warning lights illuminated on the dash and my car went into limp mode, not accelerating properly. It eventually began driving normally and all dash warning lights dissipated. Dealership couldn't see the car at that time, then I was out of town for about a week. Came back, experienced the same issues within 2 days of driving the car. I was able to get it into the deal

July 29, 2026Power TrainEngine

My 2021 Subaru Ascent (40,000 miles) suffered multiple major mechanical failures that pose ongoing safety concerns: 1. Engine Oil Leak: The vehicle developed an active engine oil leak at 20,000 miles, posing a risk of fluid contacting hot exhaust/engine components under the hood or causing low oil levels during operation. Repair time more than 35 days due to parts not available. 2. Loose Factory Engine Mounts: At 25,000 miles, excessive engine shifting, vibration when braking, the dealer discovered loose engine mounts. 3. Transmission Valve Body Failure: At 40,000 miles The transmission Valve Body Failure and need replacement.

2021 Subaru Ascent recall FAQ

Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Subaru Ascent. The most recent, filed July 8, 2026, concerns the equipment.

What are the most common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems?

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is power train (20 reports), followed by electrical system.

Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent safe?

NHTSA has not published an overall crash test rating for the 2021 Subaru Ascent.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2021 Subaru Ascent?

Contact any authorized Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.