2021 Subaru Ascent problems
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 98 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 98 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 17 complaints, typically surfacing around 1,667 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Ascent | 433 | 3 |
| 2020 Ascent | 317 | 1 |
| 2021 Ascent (this page) | 98 | 0 |
| 2022 Ascent | 55 | 1 |
| 2023 Ascent | 40 | 2 |
| 2024 Ascent | 48 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Subaru Ascent? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 1,667 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 8,305 mi · ~$350 to fix
- powertrain — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 75,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 8 owner reports · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 1,667 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Subaru Ascent
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I bought a 2021 Ascent - Touring , lately there was an ever increasing amount of wind noise. It sounded like it was coming from the sunroof, but I couldn't see anything from the inside that looked out of place and there were no signs of water leaking. I finally looked up on the…
Vehicle smells of fuel inside the cabin and when parked in the garage. To date the dealer is unable to diagnose the problem. 60k miles
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V907000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
The transmission/CVT component on the vehicle, 2021 Subaru Ascent is malfunctioning. When being driven, the malfunctioning transmission will cause the vehicle to hesitate in traffic, as well as feeling the slippage of the transmission when in motion. The vehicle also has a…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Subaru Ascent is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Subaru Ascent does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 17 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 1,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 98 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 1,667 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 17 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 1,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 1,667 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Ascent has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 98 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.