Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Subaru ascent. The contact stated that during a countrywide road trip at 70 MPH the vehicle shook and shimmied when he applied the brake going downhill on a steep grade. The vehicle was taken to the dealer groove Subaru (5300 s. Broadway, englewood, co 80113, (720) 279-9409). The tires were rotated and the contact was advised to seek a comprehensive diagnostic test by…
2020 Subaru Ascent brakes problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 18 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Subaru Ascent we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
At around 18,000 miles when applying the brakes, the vehicle would shake and vibrate. By 20,000 miles the vibration was excessive affecting the ability to steer straight when braking. The dealer told me that they were aware of the issue with this year/model. Diagnosis, warped rotors. Dealer resurfaced rotors and replaced pads under warranty. Vehicle performed fine for a while. At around 36000…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Subaru Ascent?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 9,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Subaru/Ascent.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.