2019 Subaru Ascent Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

47Engine complaints

10.9%Of all 432 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM155 · 35.9%

POWER TRAIN80 · 18.5%

VISIBILITY/WIPER66 · 15.3%

Unspecified / other57 · 13.2%

ENGINE47 · 10.9%

Share of the 432 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2019 Subaru Ascent overview page.

What owners report

“CAR SHAKES WHEN IT IS NOT IN MOTION. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED ON THE ROAD, OR BRAKES ARE ENGAGED THE CAR WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE…”NHTSA complaint 11315767 — filed 03/03/2020

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - DIAGNOSIS ' VEHICLE LOSES POWER AFTER RAPID ACCELERATION ABOVE 45MPH. A WHOOSHING SOUND OCCURS AND THEN ACCELERATION IS LIMITED. ALL WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 11307822 — filed 02/07/2020

“FRESH FUEL SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE (ENTERING THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PARKING). UPON ARRIVING HOME YESTERDAY, THE SMELL WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I…”NHTSA complaint 11299624 — filed 01/15/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2019 Subaru Ascent: 47 of 432 complaints on file (10.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have in total?

432 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.