Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
316Complaints
5Recalls
6Crashes
1Fires
5Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (32% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
101 · 32%
Recalled
Recall 22V907000
Power Train
54 · 17.1%
Recalled
Recall 21V955000
Visibility/wiper
49 · 15.5%
No official action
—
Engine
29 · 9.2%
No official action
—
Service Brakes
26 · 8.2%
No official action
—
Fuel/propulsion System
14 · 4.4%
Recalled
Recall 21V587000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 316 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 5 campaigns
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
What owners report
“THE VEHICLE STARTED BEEPING WHILE IT WAS OFF AND SITTING IN THE CARPORT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE BEEPING WAS COMING FROM THE REAR LIFT GATE…”NHTSA complaint 11414031 — filed 04/26/2021 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“15000 MILES AND BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD AND LEFT ME STRANDED. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. HAD TO GET TOWED TO DEALERSHIP”NHTSA complaint 11412876 — filed 04/19/2021 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I AM DOING SHORT HAUL DRIVING AND MY BATTERY DRAINS AND EVENTUALLY GOES DEAD. I DO A LONGER DRIVE WHEN I EXPERIENCE SLOW ENGINE TURNOVER…”NHTSA complaint 11408619 — filed 04/18/2021 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 101 of 316 NHTSA complaints (32%), followed by unspecified/other issues (56), power train (54), visibility/wiper (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have?
316 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V955000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2020 Subaru Ascent's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
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.
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