Is the 2019 Subaru ASCENT reliable?

The 2019 Subaru ASCENT has 545 complaints filed with NHTSA (7.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Subaru ASCENT?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (158 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (82 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (81 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Subaru ASCENT?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Subaru ASCENT?

The 2019 Subaru ASCENT gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Subaru ASCENT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Subaru ASCENT is approximately $1,758/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Subaru ASCENT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Subaru ASCENT has 545 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.3x the segment average of 75. The most common issue is electrical problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: have had electrical (radio/bluetooth) issues since 2 weeks after taking poccession. been in for repair 4 times . no resolve loose steering is a big safety concern. while driving vehicle at an approx.speed of 65 mph in windy conditions on nov.3 2018 garden state pkwy the wind encapsulated the vehic. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 12 crash reports 3 injuries

545

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

158 complaints

29%

• HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHIC
• I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE DASH- STARTED FLASHING AND EVERYTHING AT ONCE STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND THEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED ON ITS OWN. VERY SCARY WHILE IN TRAFFIC- I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR OVER 3 HOURS. DIALS: AT OIL TEMP FLASHES, ALL ELECTRONIC THINGS IS ALL OFF AND LIT. TRANSMISSION
• THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING WHEN I HAVE THE TAILGATE (TG) OPENED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME SUCH AS WHEN DOG TRAINING. THE FIRST TIME MY BATTERY DIED, I WAS THE LAST PERSON ON THE TRAINING GROUNDS. I CLOSED THE TG AND LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND BEEPING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE BATTERY DIED AND THE TG W

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports

“HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHIC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Subaru ASCENT

Based on 306 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

259

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 86 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 62 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 36 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

Risk: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUV-07.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Subaru ASCENT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Subaru ASCENT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,758

Full coverage / month

$147

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1758

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru ASCENT Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2019 ASCENT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 545 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: OUR ASCENT STARTED HAVING A SQUEAL AND RPM JUMP AROUND 6000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD ONLY MAKES THIS NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP UNTIL THE CHAIN/BELT WOULD RESEAT AND THE RPM RETURN TO NORMAL. IT THROWS NO WARNING CODES BUT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT DOES HAP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WITH NO WARNING, NO EXTERNAL IMPACT, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR IMPACT TO WINDOW.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OFF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE AND FELT WIRED - THE BRAKE COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN AND FELT LIKE IT'S JAMMED SOMEHOW. THE CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN SHE SWITCHED THE CAR TO PARKING! IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HIT A PARKED CAR BEH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)