2021 Subaru Ascent problems
The Subaru Ascent is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by Subaru. In some markets, it is sold as the Subaru Evoltis. It is the largest automobile Subaru manufactures. The seven or eight-seat passenger SUV, with the design based on the VIZIV-7 concept, made its debut at the LA Auto Show on November 28, 2017. The Ascent became available in the third quarter of 2018. Like its American-built predecessor, the Tribeca, the Ascent is not available in Japan.
History
The Ascent was originally introduced as a concept car at the 2017 New York International Auto Show in April, where it was also announced that Subaru would be producing the vehicle at its Lafayette, Indiana Subaru of Indiana Assembly Plant. Production began in late 2017 alongside the current Subaru Impreza. It was to be the flagship Subaru vehicle in North America, and replace the Subaru Tribeca (previously the B9 Tribeca), which was discontinued after the 2014 model year. Subaru Japan had their own three-row crossover called the Subaru Exiga that was available from 2008 until its discontinuation in 2018. In terms of exterior design, it was akin to a 3-row Outback as is the Ascent to the Forester.
The first spy photographs of Subaru Ascent development mules surfaced in late summer 2016. Although the Ascent was spotted testing in 2017 with an expected mid-2017 on-market date, the sale date was pushed back to early summer 2018.
Subaru initially announced the Ascent would be sold in the Philippines as the Evoltis starting from 2020. Its release was delayed numerous times owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually was introduced in the Philippines in May 2021. Only the Touring model is available. The Evoltis name is also used in Israel and several South American markets. Although some sources reported the Evoltis name would be used for the first battery electric vehicle sold by Subaru, that vehicle, which was co-developed with Toyota, was announced in September 2021 as the Subaru Solterra instead.
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Common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Problems: Engine issues, both minor and major, are prevalent in the 2021 Subaru Ascent. Reported problems include oil leaks, clogged fuel filters, defective alternators, fuel pump malfunctions, and turbo failures. Owners have expressed concerns about oil leaks leading to safety hazards like potential fires due to oil splashing around the filter area.
- Transmission Concerns: The 2021 Subaru Ascent is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Owners have reported issues with the CVT transmission, including unnatural shifting gears, which affects the overall performance and driving experience of the vehicle.
- Brake Problems: Some owners have faced brake issues with their 2021 Subaru Ascent, particularly related to brake pads and rotors. Complaints include warped or damaged rotors, leading to poor braking performance and increased stopping distances. Instances of rotors being pitted beyond repair have been reported, necessitating frequent replacements of pads and rotors.
- Seating Design: A specific complaint related to the design of the driver's seat causing discomfort and health issues has been highlighted by an owner. This issue, referred to as "Subaru Sciatica," involves a poorly designed driver's seat leading to debilitating pain and loss of leg pressure control, making it challenging to operate the vehicle safely during episodes of pain.
These problems reported by owners of the 2021 Subaru Ascent highlight various concerns ranging from electrical and engine issues to transmission and brake problems, as well as discomfort related to the seating design. Owners have expressed frustration over these issues, emphasizing the impact on the vehicle's reliability, safety, and overall driving experience.
How reliable is Subaru Ascent 2021?
How Reliable Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent? The 2021 Subaru Ascent has a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the transmission problem in the Subaru Ascent 2021?
2021 Subaru Ascent Transmission Problems
If you notice an odd noise or grinding sound when you shift gears or if you feel your gears catching when you change them then your transmission likely needs more lubricant or something more serious could be at fault.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Ascent?
Those from the 2019 to 2021 model years are rumored to spontaneously crack this is one of of the most frequent structural issues with the SUV. According to the nhtsa.
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
(Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Ascent?
Those from the 2019 to 2021 model years are rumored to spontaneously crack this is one of of the most frequent structural issues with the SUV. According to the nhtsa.
How reliable is Subaru Ascent 2021?
How Reliable Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent? The 2021 Subaru Ascent has a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
How long will 2021 Subaru Ascent last?
200,000 to 250,000 mile
How Long Will The 2021 Subaru Ascent Last? Longevity is synonymous with Subaru, and the 2021 Subaru Ascent is no different. Designed for durability, the Ascent is predicted to continue to roll down the highway well into the 200,000 to 250,000 mile mark.
What is the transmission problem in the Subaru Ascent 2021?
2021 Subaru Ascent Transmission Problems
If you notice an odd noise or grinding sound when you shift gears or if you feel your gears catching when you change them then your transmission likely needs more lubricant or something more serious could be at fault.
2021 Subaru Ascent car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Ascent problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Lane departure problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Subaru Ascent vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Subaru Ascent
The NHTSA has received 77 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Subaru Ascent. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Subaru Ascent vehicles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-02
- VIN: 4S4WMALD2M3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: Transmission needed a full replacement
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- VIN: 4S4WMAMD7M3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brakes shudder and fade when slowing down from highway speeds. Subaru has issued many "fixes" but it keeps happening. See most recent "Ascent Front Brake Warranty Extension Coverage" it still has not fixed the problem!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-10
- VIN: 4S4WMARD0M3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Battery draining. Bought car from dealership preowned with 25k miles. Owned it for 3 weeks and so far -Battery dead, jumped it, good for a day then dead again. -took back to dealership, said bad battery, replaced it, good for a week and a half then dead again -scheduling to go to a subaru dealership for diagnoses Ive read about the DCM on these vehicles trying to connect to 3g towers continously even when the car is off. The 3g towers are no longer in use in the USA. Subaru should have a software update to remedy this issue but have not found that thus far. Just a lawsuit over this issue.
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-12
- VIN: 4S4WMAMD7M3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I was driving along with no traffic in front of me and no oncoming traffic when the automatic braking system engaged with no vehicles in front of me, this was at 7:42 AM on Monday August 12, 2024. This was not the first time it had done this, but the first time I had the time and no traffic anywhere around to confuse the system. My concern is that if another car was following too closely they would have hit me since there was no reason for the emergency breaking system to engage.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-06
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The driver was driving into a parking lot preparing to park, when the vehicle accelerated and started going forward at a higher speed. The vehicle struck a parked vehicle, then travelled across the parking lot, over curbs, a grass median, landscaping, and struck a rock building at a high rate of speed, causing a partial collapse of the wall. The vehicle is available for inspection through the insurance company. No analysis of data was done and nothing was inspected. There were no symptoms of the problem beforehand. The vehicle has automatic emergency braking, but it evidently didn't operate. It is unknown if this was caused by driver error in accelerating and never braking.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-02-26
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brake rotors, front and back warp. Rotors have been replaced and resurfaced multiple times. The vehicle is over-sized for the braking hardware included with the vehicle. I have spoken to the dealer multiple times and they are aware of the undersized brake component issue across this model line. Although promised, Subaru has not addressed the issue and it is a safety hazard in hilly terrain.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-15
- VIN: 4S4WMARD5M3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE
- Summary: Lift gate began malfunctioning going up and down on its ownthen dropped suddenly onto spouse's head. Now the lift gate does not open properly.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-20
- VIN: 4S4WMAPDXM3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Started having problems with the brand new car shaking and brakes making grinding noises when stopping around 20K miles. Brought the car to the dealership and they ended up replacing the brake pads and rotors. It’s been just over a year and less than 15K miles since the replacement and the car started shaking and brakes are making a grinding noise again. Again took the car to the dealership and the rotors are bad. After further research, this is a constant and known issue and has yet to be resolved by Subaru. Instead they wait for the new car warranty to wear off and let their customers pay out of pocket to have this fixed. Some owners have had to replace up to 4 times in less than 40K miles.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-01
- VIN: 4S4WMARD5M3
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Second time windshield has cracked, not due to rock or debris chip, but from edge of windshield and either out or up. Crack continues to spread until replaced. It is dangerous to drive 1st Incident - December 2022 , crack in middle of windshield, spreading two directions 2nd Incident - May 3, 2024, crack from left side and out, contiunes to spead Pictures attached
LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-02
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Vehicle drifts on the highway and pulls hard to the left, which is a very concerning safety issue. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer; they did a calibration of the eyesight. The problem still persists, especially when driving the vehicle on the highway. This has almost pulled me into traffic on a few occasions!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-05
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Front brakes (pads and rotors) had to replaced 2 times. The dealer said that Subaru used undersized pads and rotors on the bigger Ascent model. The brakes were not designed for such a big vehicle, and it has been a known issue. The brakes were replaced under warranty, but my warranty will expire soon. I'm stuck replacing and poorly designed braking system, that is a known issue.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4S4WMARD9M3
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 5-10 MPH, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the front passenger's side bumper. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's chest struck the steering wheel, resulting in a fractured sternum. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to the police impound lot, then to a body shop. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired and was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-19
- VIN: 4S4WMARDXM3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: After 3 years the battery died completely and the car was unable to start, I replaced the battery with AAA and the next the day, it also died again. I was able to jump start the battery the next day and continued to use the vehicle. I have the battery for about a month and again the battery on the vehicle had drained where I was unable to start the car but I was able to jump start the car with a battery jump starter. There has been 3 occasions of battery just draining and I have a new battery installed. I called Subaru and they mentioned that there could be an issue with the back latch no closing which could drain the battery, however, the have confirmed that the back door does completely close and lock or it will just automatically come back up. I feel there is something wrong with the electrical system and AAA has confirmed with me the the alternator or the battery is functional.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-02-01
- VIN: 4S4WMAFD5M3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The vehicle has a parasitic battery draw. I purchased a new gel cell (Redtop) battery, the most powerful one that fits the car, and was reimbursed by Subaru. The car battery still goes totally dead after about one week, even with occasional driving. I have to carry a jump battery in case I am traveling to insure that I can get the car started when I stop.
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-18
- VIN: 4S4WMALD8M3
- Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Vehicle wanders on the highway and pulls hard to the left, which is a very concerning safety issue. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer, did an alignment and took it back a month later because the issue persisted. The problem persist, specially when driving the vehicle on the highway. I am really concern about my family safety and the safety of others in the road.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-27
- VIN: 4S4WMAMD4M3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Car has always refused to accelerate if gas pedal is pushed down too quickly. Just before 60K miles, on way home we had pulled over at a roadside stop on a hill. Tried to pull across highway to continue up road, car refused to accelerate and luckily were able to brake in time to keep from getting t-boned by big truck heading down the hill. No trouble lights came on, so weren't sure if this was operator failure from pushing gas down on hill or mechanical problem. Also were too close to 60K miles to get home and back to dealership without going over warranty and serious service issues with dealership previously, and leaving for vacation following day. Decided to see if there were further problems. Live at 8K elevation, vacation at half that. No further problems until after returning from vacation. Car definitely hesitating when cold to accelerate at 8K elevation. Checked owners manual, at this time believed appropriate 36K service at dealership had inspected CVT fluid as requested, and was a bit early for next inspection listed in book at 66K miles, but thought perhaps CVT fluid needed changed (did not expect transmission to be failing with such a new car, only a bit over warranty miles now). Because of previous with dealership, instead found ASE certified shop for CVT fluid inspection. Fluid at shop inspection was dark and needed replaced. Shop exchanged with OEM fluid, not Subaru brand. CVT functioned much better for a time, then got worse and not just hesitating with cold but also jerking. Called service shop to insure they had used correct fluid and amount, they had. Brought in to confirm and fluid level was correct. They suspected CVT was failing. Called Subaru of America and made appointment at suggested dealership different from purchase dealership, confirmed transmission failure. Dealership rented car for safety because of suspected CVT failure. Subaru refused to replace CVT under warranty and wanted $7K+ to fix after $3K "discount: Still no trouble lights.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-01
- VIN: 4S4WMACD4M3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: First transmission was replaced after months of trying to get the issue diagnosed. Symptoms included severe hesitation when trying to accelerate, shuttering, and feeling of jerking between gears even though it's a CVT. This escalated to shuttering while driving on the highway. Because the problem was intermittent, my car spent a great deal of time in the shop trying to get a diagnosis. After much back-and-forth with Subaru of America, the transmission was replaced at 48,000 miles. I asked for an extended warranty beyond the 60k warranty due to the fact that it took so long to get the first issue properly fixed. They said no. Less than 3,000 miles later and I'm having the same jerking/hesitation issues. The dealership technician says he cannot duplicate the problem, and SOA still refuses to honor an extended warranty. My 60k warranty is almost up and I fear that I will end up paying for a new transmission or worse, end up in an accident due to the poor performance issues. Subaru will do nothing about this known issue.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-14
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: P245 / 50 R 20 OEM Falken Tires need to be replaced with only 20K miles, even when all the maintenance was applied (rotation, inflation control, etc). Subaru dealer recognized that the problem was communicated with HQ in Japan, but still not answer
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-04
- VIN: 4S4WMAPD9M3
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: I noticed that the driver's door was making an odd clicking sound when the door was closing. Upon further investigation, I found the silver door bolt holding the door to the frame was loose. I have since then had the bolt tightened.
SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-29
- VIN: 4S4WMAJD7M3
- Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 2021 Subaru Ascent with 15,735 miles on it with the factory Falken tires. The tread and metal was showing and separating from the tires. 2 tires, original to the car off the lot. Tires should last 30-40-50 miles. The other 2 tires were labeled as a 4-5 category. The car did not steer to the left or right, no noise at all. If driving on the highway and 2 tires failed, I could have been injured, my passengers or another vehicle crash. This was very dangerous. In going to the Subaru website and seems hundreds of other customers had the same issue. Failing, inferior, defective Falken tires and alignment issues. I hope these tires don't fail and cause someone to lose their life.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-20
- VIN: 4S4WMARD0M3
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was repositioning the rear-view mirror, the front windshield cracked without impact and extended approximately 7-inches. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-16
- VIN: 4S4WMARD6M3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Blue smoke from tailpipe upon start
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-29
- VIN: 4S4WMAFD9M3
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: OEM tires that came with original vehicle purchase depleted tread and needed to be replaced by 38,000 miles. Alignment may have been bad from initial manufacturing but is no longer covered by "bumper to bumper" warranty because it is 2,000 miles over warranty. Tire size 245/60R18
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-29
- VIN: 4S4WMAFD9M3
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Windshield randomly became extremely hazy in one section to the point where Eyesight forward facing obstacle detection turned off. Cerium oxide rubbing compound was required to clear the haze enough for Eyesight to work again. Other sections have less significant haze. It appears to be hairline cracks in the outer layer of the windshield or the windshield scratches extremely easily without any obvious debris impacting it.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-20
- VIN: 4S4WMARD6M3
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Windshield started cracking and crack doubled in size within a few hours, we did not hear a rock chip the window and don't know where the crack came from. Car is available for inspection. This is a safety issue as it can impede the drivers clear view of the road. Will call dealer Monday to have windshield replaced. The windshield has not been inspected by manufacture or insurance. Did not see any warnings prior to failure.
2021 Subaru Ascent recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2021 Subaru Ascent.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
- Consequence: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
Negative 2021 Subaru Ascent car reviews
Positive 2021 Subaru Ascent car reviews
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After spending some time researching, my team and I just purchased a Subaru Ascent. We really enjoy the ride, although we did notice that the turbo 2.5L engine has some lag unless you step on it hard enough to kick in the turbo. The EyeSight feature is really nice, and with the adaptable cruise control, the car practically drives itself on the interstate. The interior lighting is amazing with the LED's, and the passive interior lighting is a really nice touch. We were also impressed with the rear camera in the rearview mirror. Overall, we are very pleased with our purchase!
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I understand that Subaru's have a loyal following, but I have never been interested in driving one. However, during my search for a new car, I stumbled upon the Subaru and was pleasantly surprised. I had previously been a Lexus girl, but the new facelift of the RX did not meet my expectations. I then considered a Jaguar, but it did not feel as luxurious as I had hoped. Finally, I test drove the Volvo XC60, which was okay but not perfect. It was then that my boyfriend suggested I try a Subaru, which I initially laughed off. However, I decided to give it a chance and was pleasantly surprised. The Subaru was surprisingly spacious and easy to drive.This giant SUV handles curves and drives like it's the size of a Mini Cooper! The infotainment system is incredible, the car's engine isn't loud, and the inside of the car is just as nice-- if not-- nicer than the other luxury SUV's I drove. When I told the salesman I wanted to go home and think about it, he thanked me for my time and gave me his card. There were no high-pressure sales tactics, or any dog and pony show to speak of. Needless to say, I ended up buying the Subaru. I ordered my very own Subaru to spec and am now the proud new owner of a white 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited. I'm beyond excited about my new car. I've had it for almost 2 months and have a little over 4k miles on it already. I never thought I'd be a Subaru girl, but I'm glad it worked out... who knows, maybe I'll even give camping a shot... who's bringing the granola?!
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I was looking for a 3-row SUV with all the latest safety features for my family, and the Ascent exceeded my expectations. It's like a minivan in an SUV, with third-row seats that are more spacious than other brands. The safety seat map for seat belts is fantastic, and even popular minivans don't have that feature. The only minor issue I've noticed is that the passenger rear doors require a firm close to latch properly. The financing deal of 63@0% is unbeatable if you can afford it. Although I initially wanted a Limited with a sunroof, the additional features and limited stock of the lighter interior made us quickly choose a Premium when we found the interior color we wanted. We're averaging 19 mpg in town, and I've learned that there's a specific way to drive the Ascent to maximize gas mileage. Overall, I have no complaints. One interesting thing we did notice is that the hoods on them have a bigger gap on one side vs the other, but this seems to be the case with every single one, and no one knows why. If you're a perfectionist, this may bother you, but otherwise, I love the smooth ride. We haven't towed with it yet, but I doubt I'll ever buy a different brand vehicle. The Ascent has sold me on Subarus for life!
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This is our 9th Subaru and we recently purchased the 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring. Overall, we are pleased with the vehicle's handling and ride quality. However, we did notice a few areas for improvement. Firstly, we were surprised to find that the front passenger seat does not have an up and down adjustment, which seems unusual for a high-end touring model. Additionally, there is quite a bit of wind and road noise, which can make it difficult to hear the radio or have a conversation while driving on the interstate. We also found the front seat bottoms to be a bit too firm for long trips. Finally, we were disappointed to discover that the gas tank is only 19.2 gallons, which seems small for a vehicle with a turbo engine that consumes a lot of gasoline. Despite these issues, we still give the Subaru Ascent 4 stars and remain loyal customers. We hope that Subaru will address these concerns in future models to continue providing the best ride, comfort, and quietness for their customers.
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We recently experienced some transmission problems with our Ascent, but thankfully the dealer was able to solve the issue. Unfortunately, Subaru was unable to provide the replacement part needed to fix the transmission harness, so the dealer reset the warnings, performed a software update, and sent us on our way. However, after a few weeks, the warning lights came back on and the car lost functionality. This has been an ongoing issue for months with no solution in sight. We are now hesitant to drive the car anywhere beyond the grocery store, which is frustrating since we are still making payments on a new car.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Subaru Ascent problems:
Always heard the ascent is unreliable. What have been your ...
Sep 2, 2022 ... The 2020, 2021 and 2022 have all been rated high so Subaru has done what needed done to get the Ascent reliability on par with the rest of the ...
2021 Ascent all system malfunction | Page 2 | Subaru Ascent Forum
Mar 17, 2021 ... It is a common problem, as you can see the string of >450 comments back in 2019 after many of us got the 1st Ascent. It happened to me while on ...
2022 Subaru Ascent - Common Issues & Reliability : r/SubaruAscent
Sep 6, 2022 ... 2022 Subaru Ascent - Common Issues & Reliability · Brake rotors warping: Owners are reporting that they need to replace/resurface their brake ...
2021 Subaru Ascent Reliability - Consumer Reports
The car never steered to the right or left, there was never any noise or sound to indicate an alignment issues. The Falken tires are faulty, inferior, bad tires ...
Issues with 2020 or 2021 models | Subaru Ascent Forum
Dec 28, 2020 ... 2019 Ascents had a harness issue that cause some CVTs to be damaged (but the problem wasn't from the CVT itself). The harness was revised, and ...
Other years of Subaru Ascent
Are you having problems with your 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Larry Kessler 2025-03-19
My wife recently traded in her 2020 Ascent due to some transmission shudder and brake noise issues that the dealers were unable to fix. Unfortunately, the new 2022 model she got is experiencing the same problems, with a shaky transmission and slightly pulsating brakes. We're hoping to find a solution soon.
Walter Beahan 2024-11-24
The 2021 Ascent has been in my possession for over 2 years now. During this time, I have noticed that the engine hesitates between 25-35 mph speeds and even stalled once while pulling into traffic. The fuel economy is not up to the advertised standards, with only 15 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway, instead of the expected 20 to 26 mpg. It is worth noting that the 4 cylinder turbo engine may be too small for this vehicle. The Subaru service representative acknowledged that these are known issues with Subaru and that customers are not satisfied. It may be advisable to escalate these concerns to Subaru executives.
Sven Quitzon 2024-05-22
I recently purchased a new Ascent from Royal in Bloomington, IN, which is about an hour away. When I picked it up at dusk, I didn't notice that the ivory leather trim that runs from the dash to the doors didn't match by a lot. Additionally, the headrests were a different color than the seats, with black headrests and dark gray seats. Unfortunately, when I tried the seat warmers during the first cold weather, they didn't seem to work well even on high. Despite my concerns, the dealership's service manager and Subaru corporate have been unhelpful. I hope to resolve this issue soon. Thank you for your attention.
Gianni Rippin 2024-04-03
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with the GPS on the 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited. It's unfortunate to hear that you find it unsatisfactory for the price paid. Have you considered using your phone's GPS instead? Some customers find it easier to navigate with their phones. We appreciate your feedback and hope to improve our GPS system in the future. Thank you for choosing Subaru!
Bret Herman 2024-03-04
The car exhibited a strange lurch at low rpm and the radio consistently turned on upon starting. Additionally, the interior plastics were prone to scratching. The carpet, in particular, was quite thin. Overall, I did not find the car to be a suitable option for me.