2022 Subaru Ascent Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 56 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Ascent years
About as many complaints as other years 4th of 8 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Ascent. That ranks 4th out of 8 Ascent model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (14 complaints, 25%), typically at around 87,500 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

Subaru Ascent
2024 Subaru Evoltis 2.4 Touring Eyesight in Crystal White Pearl. The Evoltis name is also used on the Ascent in Israel and several South American markets.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2022 Subaru Ascent problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train14 · ~87,500 mi
Service Brakes10 · ~2,076 mi
Engine9 · ~60,000 mi
Visibility/wiper7
Forward Collision Avoidance6
Unknown or Other6
Air Bags4
Electrical System4
Fuel/propulsion System4
Lane Departure3
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train1425%87,500——
Service Brakes1018%2,076——
Engine916%60,000——
Visibility/wiper713%———
Forward Collision Avoidance611%———
Unknown or Other611%———
Air Bags47%———
Electrical System47%———
Fuel/propulsion System47%———
Lane Departure35%———
Latches/locks/linkages24%300——
Back Over Prevention12%———
Other/i Am Not Sure12%———
Seats12%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12%38,000——
Steering12%60,000——
Tires12%———
Vehicle Speed Control12%———
Wheels12%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2023, with 19 complaints
2022: 102022102023: 192023192024: 9202492025: 8202582026: 10202610

n = 56 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2022 Subaru Ascent recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Equipment:other:labelsJul 7, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dashPark outsideDec 8, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V907000 · 271,694 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

My vehicle will abruptly break coming to a complete stop if a vehicle behind me approaches too quickly or gets too close to my vehicle. Yes the its uptoday on inspections and no errors show with in the vehicles computer system.

Electrical System · received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770198

The front exhaust pipe on my 2022 Subaru Ascent cracked at approximately 77,800 miles. The component is available for inspection. Prior to diagnosis, I noticed a rattle/fluttering noise coming from the undercarriage during acceleration. The problem was confirmed by an authorized Subaru dealership…

Engine · received Jun 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746584

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, the speedometer was inoperable, and the transmission failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was…

Steering · received Jun 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746149

Exhaust "Nut" mysteriously went missing, causing noises, and Subaru technician stated to replace exhaust if issues persist. Vehicle was under warranty, only been serviced by certified Subaru technicians, and multi-point inspections were allegedly performed during every service, however, the exhaust…

Engine · received May 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738890

The front driver seat cushion/seat cover is deteriorating and ripping at the front portion of the seat. While driving, I can feel road vibration and impacts through the driver seat much more than normal, and the seat no longer feels properly cushioned or supported. I am concerned this affects the…

Seats · received Apr 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11733857

Other Subaru Ascent years

← 2021 Ascent · 2023 Ascent →

See all Subaru Ascent problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Subaru Ascent?

Owners most often report power train, service brakes, engine problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 14 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2022 Subaru Ascent?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2022 Subaru Ascent a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Ascent model years, the 2022 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.