2023 Subaru Ascent: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2023 Subaru Ascent: 4 recalls, 45 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Tires Vehicle recall #23V258000 · 2023 · 4,409 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #23V392000 · 2023 · 5 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #23V647000 · 2023 · 4,311 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
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, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (10): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4).
- Other / unknown (8): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
- Forward collision avoidance (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility/Wiper (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent has 45 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 8 Ascent model years for complaints (well below the 129 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 19,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2022 (55 complaints, 2 recalls), 2024 (50 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | 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 2023 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.
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FAQ
Does the 2023 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2023 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 2023 Subaru Ascent problems?
Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (10), other / unknown (8), forward collision avoidance (7).
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Ascent get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (AV-S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2023 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.