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ProblemsByVin File / 2023-SUBARU-ASCENT NHTSA data synced 9 hours ago
2023 · Subaru

Subaru Ascent problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 39 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
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Moderate
Should you avoid this 2023 Ascent?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
6 reports · avg $450
moderate
visibility
6 reports · avg $350
moderate
airbags
3 reports · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
3 reports · avg $850
severe
tires
3 reports · avg $150
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2023 Ascent's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2023 Ascent?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2023 Ascent · visibility
Windshield cracked more than 2 inches above the front windshield A/C vent while vehicle is in warm up process around outside temperature 30F. This car is only 3 weeks old with mileage w 240 at the cracked occurred.
2023 Ascent · powertrain
I was entering an intersection to make a left-hand turn. I was driving at a low speed. My foot was pressing the accelerator and the car entered the intersection. In the middle of the intersection, the car wheels suddenly stopped turning. There was nothing in front of the…
11/21/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11700833.0
2023 Ascent · brakes
Right around the 10,000 mile mark I started noticing a shake when braking. I was pretty concerned about this as the car only has the mentioned 10,000 miles. I took it to the dealership where I bought the car. They were able to fix the problem by replacing the rotors and break…
2023 Ascent · visibility
2023 Subaru Ascent Touring. Front windshield easily cracked from minor rock strikes 3 times within 20 months. Replacement with Subarus OEM glasses twice already within 3 months. Now a new crack needs repair or potential replacement. Defective windshield that cannot withhold…
View all 39 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2023 Subaru Ascent? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 23V258000 April 7, 2023

Subaru of America, Inc

A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.
severe NHTSA 23V392000 June 1, 2023

Subaru of America, Inc

Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23.

Common questions

Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 Subaru Ascent?

On the NHTSA data, the 2023 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; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2023 Subaru Ascent?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 6 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. 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 2023 Subaru Ascent?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 39 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Subaru/Ascent. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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