The Subaru Ascent is a good choice for a versatile family wagon on a budget. Despite Subaru focusing on manufacturing rugged vehicles, the 2021 Ascent comes across a list of complaints. Issues with the SUV range from steering defects to driver-aid malfunctions. Most driver aid complaints relate to the adaptive cruise control and the lane-keep assist malfunctions. Both these malfunctions can compromise vehicle control and user safety. However, with 29 user complaints and no recalls registered, the 2021 Subaru Ascent earns a 5-star safety rating. The Subaru Ascent takes on SUVs of the likes of the Toyota Highlander the Ford Explorer, and the Mazda CX-9. The 2021 Subaru Ascent ranks 8th on the top 10 SUVS of 2021.
User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Problems
- Steering: Subaru Ascent users report steering malfunctions. The problem results in a loss of steering response under driving conditions. This issue compromises the control of the vehicle and increases the risk of crashing. Subaru claims a steering column defect to be the cause of the issue.
- Transmission: The transmission of the SUV is prone to gear slipping. This leads to grinding of gears and hesitant shifting. Gear slipping usually occurs while driving at low speeds. Transmission issues result in shuddering of the vehicle. Fixing transmission problems usually costs a fortune.
- Fuel Leakage: A few customer complaints report instances of fuel leakage from the SUV. Fuel leakage leads to strong fuming in the vehicle cabin. Fuel leakage also possesses as a major fire threat.
Electrical Problems
- Driver aids: Lane assist malfunction is the most common driver aid defect with the Subaru Ascent. Complaints report the SUV tends to overcompensate while turning. This results in oversteering. User complaints also report cases of the SUV veering off across the driving lanes. Most cases report the SUV tends to veer off towards the left. This can result in crashing and increases the chances of injuries.
Structural Problems
- Windshield: Shattering or cracking of the windshield is a common problem with the Subaru Ascent. Users report damage to the windshield without any impact. Subaru claims environmental temperature variations to be the primary cause of the issue.
Recalls
Subaru addresses vehicle recalls with swift and prompt action. Subaru customers generally come across convenient and cooperative recall protocols. However, complaints report the unavailability of recalled parts resulting in delayed vehicle recalls. The 2021 Subaru Ascent comes across a fair share of problems. These issues range from driver-assist malfunctions to fuel leakage. The most common complaint with the SUV is the cracking and shattering of the windshield. But, the Subaru Ascent does not show a record of any registered recalls as of now. Considering the competition, the Ford Explorer tops the list with 4 recorded recalls. The Mazda CX-9 follows with 1 recall under its tag. The Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander both share a clean recall record with 0 recalls each.
Should you buy the 2021Subaru Ascent?
The 2021 Subaru Ascent does a great job as a touring vehicle and a family wagon. A wide range of features with the addition of a standard AWD drivetrain makes the Subaru Ascent a value-for-money investment. Sure the Subaru Ascent comes across a list of complaints and problems. However, there are no major problems recorded with the SUV. Furthermore, the Subaru aftersales focus on convenient and reliable customer services. As per NHTSA records, the Subaru Ascent registers 29 user complaints and 0 recalls. The SUV also earns an NHTSA 5-star safety rating for the 2021 model year. The 2021 Subaru Ascent is a versatile multirole SUV for a budget and it gets the CarHp go-ahead.
