Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Outback vs Subaru Ascent
How the Subaru Outback and Subaru Ascent compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Subaru Outback vs Subaru Ascent: The Outback has 4,621 complaints over 10 years (462/year) and 26 recalls, while the Ascent has 1,033 complaints over 8 years (129/year) and 25 recalls. The Ascent has fewer complaints per year but reports serious electrical and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Outback or Subaru Ascent more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a popular wagon/SUV that owners often keep for many years, but NHTSA data shows a high volume of complaints—4,621 over 10 years, averaging 462 per year. The most common trouble spots are the visibility/wiper system and electrical system, with reports of sparkling windshields, shattered moonroofs, and battery/starting failures. With 26 recalls and 135 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection of glass, battery, and driver-assist electronics before purchase.
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is a three-row family SUV with fewer total complaints—1,033 over 8 years, about 129 per year—but still notable issues. Electrical system problems lead the list, including battery failures and intermittent ignition faults, followed by power train complaints like transmission slippage and sudden wheel stoppage. Recalls cover tires, suspension, and driveline, so a used Ascent should be checked for battery health, transmission behavior, and tire wear.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Outback | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,621 | 1,033 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 | 25 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 135 | 34 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 462.1 | 129.1 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 | 29 Better |
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 Outback
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER1,454
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,440
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER885
- 04VISIBILITY244
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE228
Owners report windshields that sparkle with thousands of tiny defects in direct sunlight, making driving hazardous, and moonroofs that shatter spontaneously. These are safety concerns because they impair vision and can cause injury from flying glass.
Complaints include complete failures to start due to battery drain, and malfunctions of the EyeSight driver-assist, brakes, and central electrical system. Such failures can strand you and disable safety features like automatic emergency braking.
Issues range from non-working SOS buttons after failed software updates to wireless charging pads that overheat phones. These may seem minor but can affect emergency communication and device safety.
This system, part of EyeSight, is a top complaint area, with owners reporting malfunctions that could prevent automatic braking from working. For a buyer, this means the very feature meant to prevent crashes may be unreliable.
“When driving east into direct sunshine, the entire windshield sparkles with thousands of diamonds, making it hazardous to drive. Just bought the car June 8, 2023, as a Certified Pre-Owned (it had been a dealer loaner). Had to dealer last week, they claim not…”
“The moon roof shattered. Have not even had the vehicle two days yet. It was fine yesterday (5/26/2023). Went out this afternoon (5/27/2023) and found the moon roof completely shattered and fractured. There is a hole near the rear center and fractures covering…”
Subaru Ascent
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM292
- 02POWER TRAIN185
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER152
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER152
- 05ENGINE104
Owners describe intermittent electrical/ignition-control malfunctions and repeated factory battery failures that drop below 11.5V, causing the vehicle to die and become immobilized. This can leave you stranded and may affect other electronic safety systems.
Reports include transmission slippage without warning, followed by flashing automatic transmission oil light and disabling of front systems, as well as sudden wheel stoppage during low-speed turns. These are serious drivability and safety issues that could lead to loss of control.
Complaints cover unusual tire wear (e.g., 7/32 at 8,000 miles, 5/32 at 15,000 miles) and requests for repairs without warning lights. Premature tire wear affects handling and safety, and may indicate alignment or suspension problems.
Owners report windshields that crack easily from minor rock strikes, requiring repeated replacement, and vibrating driver-side mirrors that blur vision. These issues compromise visibility and can be costly to fix.
“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…”
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 Outback — 26 recalls
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…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
The risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is W…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
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…
Buyer analysis
Subaru Outback or Subaru Ascent: which should you buy?
The Subaru Ascent has far fewer complaints per year (129 vs. 462 for the Outback), suggesting it may have fewer recurring problems overall. However, the Ascent's electrical and power train complaints include serious immobilization and transmission failures, while the Outback's issues are more often visibility and electrical annoyances. In practice, the Ascent may demand less frequent attention but can have more severe breakdowns.
Key differences
- The Outback has 4,621 complaints over 10 years (462/year) vs. the Ascent's 1,033 over 8 years (129/year), so the Ascent has fewer reported issues per year.
- Outback owners most often complain about visibility/wiper (sparkling windshields, shattered moonroofs) and electrical failures, while Ascent owners report electrical battery/ignition problems and power train slippage or wheel stoppage.
- The Ascent has 25 recalls in 8 years, including tires and suspension, while the Outback has 26 recalls in 10 years, mostly power train and shift linkage.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Outback (135 vs. 34), but the Ascent's power train complaints include sudden loss of power or wheel stoppage, which are severe.
- Inspect the windshield and moonroof for any sparkling, cracks, or prior replacements—owners report these failing even on newer models.
- Test the battery and starting system thoroughly, and check for any history of no-start conditions or EyeSight/automatic emergency braking malfunctions.
- Check the battery voltage and look for any signs of repeated battery replacement or intermittent electrical/ignition issues.
- Test-drive at low speeds and listen for transmission slippage or hesitation, and check tire tread depth for uneven or premature wear.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for power train and electrical items.
- Have a mechanic inspect the battery, charging system, and starting reliability, as both models show electrical complaints.
- For the Outback, carefully examine the windshield and moonroof for defects, and test the EyeSight system if equipped.
- For the Ascent, test the transmission during a slow-speed turn and check tire wear patterns; also verify the driver-side mirror is stable.
- Ask the seller for any records of software updates, battery replacements, or transmission repairs, and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a Subaru specialist.
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 Outback | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 3 |
| 2025 | 81 | 15 |
| 2024 | 2 | 50 |
| 2023 | 89 | 45 |
| 2022 | 464 | 55 |
| 2021 | 296 | 102 |
| 2020 | 899 | 322 |
| 2019 | 1034 | 441 |
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 Outback or Subaru Ascent in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Outback vs Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Outback total complaints
- 4,621
- Subaru Ascent total complaints
- 1,033
- Subaru Outback total recalls
- 26
- Subaru Ascent total recalls
- 25
- Subaru Outback avg complaints/year
- 462.1
- Subaru Ascent avg complaints/year
- 129.1
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Outback top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Subaru Ascent top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM