AutoUtility currently tracks 439 official NHTSA owner defect complaints for the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Electrical System issues are the most frequently reported category, appearing in 160 complaints (36.4% of submitted records). Among these NHTSA complaint records, 10 filings cite a crash, 6 cite a fire, 4 report one or more injuries.
- • Total NHTSA Complaints: 439 reports
- • #1 Reported Problem Area: Electrical System (160 reports • 36.4% of submitted complaints)
- • Secondary Problem Areas: Powertrain & Transmission (87), Visibility, Wipers & Glass (81)
- • Crash-Citing Complaints: 10 filings
- • Fire-Citing Complaints: 6 filings
- • Complaints Reporting Injuries / Fatalities: 4 injury filings • 0 fatality filings
Most Reported Problems for 2019 Subaru Ascent
Top automotive subsystem defect categories ranked by unique owner complaint volume in federal records
Electrical System
NHTSA records list 1 official safety recall campaign for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #22V907000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Powertrain & Transmission
NHTSA records list 3 official safety recall campaigns for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #19V519000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Campaign #21V955000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
- Campaign #19V855000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Visibility, Wipers & Glass
Engine & Cooling
NHTSA records list 1 official safety recall campaign for this model year involving the same broad component area:
- Campaign #19V856000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Brakes & Traction Control
Symptoms Mentioned in NHTSA Owner Reports for 2019 Subaru Ascent
Specific mechanical, electrical, and driver-assist defect symptoms identified via deterministic narrative analysis
AutoUtility uses deterministic phrase matching to identify recurring symptom descriptions within consumer-submitted NHTSA complaint narratives.
12V Battery Parasitic Drain / Dead Battery
Loss of Motive Power While Driving
Recent NHTSA Owner Reports for 2019 Subaru Ascent
Representative defect filings submitted by owners to the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
"Immediately after pushing the lift gate release button on the dash, a loud and constant alarm tone began. The gate would then not open using the button on the dash, remote, or handle on the exterior of the lift gate door. To access the items in the rear (and to stop the alarm), we needed to get the..."
"The vehicle has 178k miles on it currently. I had to have a transmission and transfer case replaced at 68k miles. Done by Subaru. At 168k miles I had to have a new front pump in the transmission case replaced. Repair done by Subaru. Now at 178k miles the second replacement transmission has..."
"All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into the engines wiring at the car computer, transmission computer, and bulkhead..."
"My 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited had a safety recall that was related to a CVT transmission issue. That safety recall was addressed by Sewell Subaru (Dallas, TX) in January of 2025. This past Wednesday, July 29, I was driving on a state highway on my way to work from my residence. Not even two miles..."
"NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2019 Subaru Ascent VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 72,093 miles I am submitting this complaint because my 2019 Subaru Ascent experienced a serious transmission-related electrical failure that may represent a broader safety defect. Sewell Subaru of Dallas diagnosed an..."
Complaint History for Subaru Ascent
Reported defect complaint volume across sibling model years (2019–2026)
| Model Year | NHTSA Complaints | Crash Reports | Safety Recalls | Detailed Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Ascent Current Page | 439 | 10 | 9 | Current |
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | 319 | 6 | 5 | View 2020 Problems → |
| 2021 Subaru Ascent | 100 | 3 | 2 | View 2021 Problems → |
| 2022 Subaru Ascent | 55 | 6 | 2 | View 2022 Problems → |
| 2023 Subaru Ascent | 43 | 4 | 4 | View 2023 Problems → |
| 2024 Subaru Ascent | 48 | 2 | 1 | View 2024 Problems → |
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | 14 | 1 | 1 | View 2025 Problems → |
| 2026 Subaru Ascent | 0 | 0 | 1 | View 2026 Problems → |
Detailed NHTSA Component Breakdown for 2019 Subaru Ascent
Complete distribution of consumer defect reports across all 74 granular NHTSA system and subsystem classifications
| Vehicle Component / System | Total Complaints | Crash Reports | Fire Reports | Reported Injury Entries | Reported Fatality Entries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System NHTSA category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 123 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain NHTSA category: POWER TRAIN | 64 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Wipers NHTSA category: VISIBILITY/WIPER | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other / Uncategorized NHTSA category: UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes NHTSA category: SERVICE BRAKES | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine NHTSA category: ENGINE | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility / Glass NHTSA category: VISIBILITY | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension NHTSA category: SUSPENSION | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags NHTSA category: AIR BAGS | 6 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure & Body NHTSA category: STRUCTURE | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel & Propulsion System NHTSA category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering NHTSA category: STEERING | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance NHTSA category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels & Hubs NHTSA category: WHEELS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine & Cooling NHTSA category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Warning NHTSA category: LANE DEPARTURE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,TIRES,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts NHTSA category: SEAT BELTS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SERVICE BRAKES,PARKING BRAKE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEERING,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires NHTSA category: TIRES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The complaint records on this page are retrieved directly from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) public database.
Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.