2021 Subaru Ascent: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Subaru Ascent: 2 recalls, 102 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #22V907000 · 2022 · 271,694 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
The 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…
Equipment Vehicle recall #26V436000 · 2026 · 541,237 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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 letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (19): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), noise or vibration (5), stalls / loses power (3).
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), fire / smoke (2), leaks (2).
- Other / unknown (16): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Lane departure (15): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
The 2021 Subaru Ascent has 102 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 8 Ascent model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 129). Complaints peaked in 2021 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 3,164 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (322 complaints, 5 recalls), 2022 (55 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Subaru Ascent.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Subaru Ascent. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Ascent problems?
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (19), electrical (18), other / unknown (16).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (AV-S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Subaru Ascent repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.