Subaru Ascent Visibility/wiper Problems
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Ascent across 7 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (66). The words owners use most often: “windshield cracked” (28% of reports).
- 152visibility/wiper complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $1,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield cracked: mentioned in 43 of 152 complaints (28%)
- Apparent reason: mentioned in 11 of 152 complaints (7%)
- Large crack: mentioned in 9 of 152 complaints (6%)
- Side mirror: mentioned in 8 of 152 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility/wiper repair on the Subaru Ascent at $1,250, and half of them between $990 and $1,400.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems happen?
Based on 82 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 152 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Subaru Ascent visibility/wiper complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility/wiper complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ascent | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2024 Ascent | 8 | 16% | — |
| 2023 Ascent | 6 | 13% | — |
| 2022 Ascent | 7 | 13% | — |
| 2021 Ascent | 14 | 14% | 3,344 |
| 2020 Ascent | 49 | 15% | 8,000 |
| 2019 Ascent | 66 | 15% | 14,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists visibility/wiper for the Subaru Ascent. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While pulling up to a drive thru window the vehicle shuddered and the engine shut off. I lost all power steering and had to come to a stop, shift into park, then restart the engine. No check engine lights or warnings illuminated. There were no status messages to indicate what caused it to shut off…
I am a current lessee of a 2024 Subaru Ascent. I leased this vehicle starting July 27, 2024. My lease ends on July 27, 2027. I live 60 miles away from the dealership and only did a test drive around town. The minute I got on the freeway after leaving the dealership the night I leased the vehicle, I…
Water intrusion occurred inside the vehicle, resulting in extensive mold contamination throughout the interior, including the seats, front and rear carpets, and a childâs car seat. The source of the water intrusion has not been identified. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Subaru retailer…
Driver side mirror vibrates making the view in the mirror blurry. The distorted picture causes confusion and safety hazard as it's very difficult to see in day and almost impossible at night. Vibrations are noticeable in the driver's side B pillar. According to the dealership, this is related to…
The windshield cracked right at the corner of where the defects have taken place on the previous year Ascents, which is not covered under the extended warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Ascents have visibility/wiper problems?
No. NHTSA has 152 owner complaints about visibility/wiper for the Subaru Ascent. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Ascent visibility/wiper?
No recall currently lists visibility/wiper for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Ascent?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $990 and $1,400), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Ascent?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield cracked”, in 43 of 152 complaints, followed by “apparent reason” (11).
Other Subaru Ascent problems
- Electrical System problems (293)
- Power Train problems (186)
- Engine problems (104)
See all Subaru Ascent problems.