Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Ascent vs FORD F 150
How the Subaru Ascent and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Subaru Ascent vs FORD F 150: The Ascent averages 129 complaints per year over 8 years, while the F-150 averages 1,162 per year over 10 years. The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 25 for the Ascent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Ascent or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is a three-row family SUV that owners often rely on for daily driving. Over eight years, it has averaged about 129 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the electrical system, power train, and visibility/wiper areas. Owners report problems like batteries dying, transmissions slipping, and windshields cracking easily. While it has fewer complaints than the Ford F-150, the types of failures can be inconvenient and sometimes safety-related.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its work capability, but it has a much higher complaint volume: about 1,162 per year over ten years. The most frequent trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners describe serious issues like transmissions stuck in limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear windows shattering. These problems can lead to costly repairs and safety risks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Ascent | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,033 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 34 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 129.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 29 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Subaru Ascent
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM292
- 02POWER TRAIN185
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER152
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER152
- 05ENGINE104
Owners report repeated battery failures, with voltage dropping below 11.5V and the vehicle dying or becoming immobilized. This can leave you stranded and require frequent battery replacements.
Complaints include transmission slippage without warning, sudden wheel stoppage during turns, and transmission oil light warnings that disable front systems. These issues can affect drivability and safety.
Windshields crack easily from minor rock strikes, sometimes requiring multiple replacements. Driver-side mirrors may vibrate, blurring the view and creating a hazard, especially at night.
While fewer complaints, engine issues are noted. Owners may experience performance problems or warning lights that require dealer attention.
“2024 Subaru Ascent – Intermittent Electrical / Ignition-Control Malfunction Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Ascent Mileage: Approximately 29,000 miles Chronology of Events August 19 Vehicle had been operating normally. First occurrence – grocery store •Returned to vehic…”
“2023 Subaru Ascent, under manufacturer basic warranty. Factory OEM battery has repeatedly failed. Voltage drops below 11.5V in normal use. Three documented failures in six weeks. SAFETY INCIDENT: Vehicle died on a public street and became completely immobiliz…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most complained-about area, with reports of transmissions going into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These are serious and often recurring.
Lead frame issues also appear here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and expensive to fix.
Many complaints about lighting problems, which can reduce visibility and increase accident risk. Specifics include failures that may not be immediately obvious.
Engine-related complaints include various malfunctions that may lead to performance loss or stalling. These can be costly and affect reliability.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Subaru Ascent — 25 recalls
The defect: 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 risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 letter…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
The risk: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
The risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Subaru Ascent or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Subaru Ascent has far fewer complaints per year (about 129 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150). In practice, this means Ascent owners report fewer overall problems, but the issues they do face—like battery failures and transmission slippage—can still be disruptive. The F-150's much higher complaint rate suggests a greater likelihood of encountering serious repairs.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about nine times more complaints per year than the Subaru Ascent, indicating a much higher rate of owner-reported problems.
- Power train issues are the top complaint for the F-150, with reports of limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Ascent's power train complaints include transmission slippage and sudden wheel stoppage.
- Electrical problems are common in both, but the Ascent's are often battery-related, whereas the F-150's involve lead frame and sensor failures.
- The Ascent has specific visibility issues like cracking windshields and vibrating mirrors, while the F-150 has exterior lighting complaints.
- Check the battery health and history of replacements; owners report repeated failures and voltage drops.
- Test the transmission for slippage or hesitation, and look for any warning lights related to the transmission oil.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of limp mode or rough shifting, and ask about any lead frame repairs.
- Check the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls (like the Ascent's tire or suspension recalls, or the F-150's engine and air bag recalls) have been addressed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, as these are the most complained-about areas for both vehicles.
- For the Ascent, specifically check the windshield for cracks and the driver-side mirror for vibration.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission limp mode and inspect the rear window and defroster.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for battery replacements (Ascent) and transmission services (F-150).
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Subaru Ascent | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 35 |
| 2025 | 15 | 345 |
| 2024 | 50 | 638 |
| 2023 | 45 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 55 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 102 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 322 | 44 |
| 2019 | 441 | 52 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Subaru Ascent or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Ascent vs FORD F 150
- Subaru Ascent total complaints
- 1,033
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Subaru Ascent total recalls
- 25
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Subaru Ascent avg complaints/year
- 129.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Ascent top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN