2020 Subaru Ascent: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Subaru Ascent: 5 recalls, 322 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V587000 · 2021 · 175,968 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 ascent, 2018 forester, 2018-2020 impreza, legacy, outback, 2018-2019 brz, wrx, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners May call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wrg-21.
Steering Vehicle recall #21V954000 · 2021 · 1,305 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends May not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Why it matters: The tie rods May separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #21V955000 · 2021 · 198,255 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 ascent, 2020 legacy and outback vehicles. A programming error in the transmission control unit (tcu) May allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
Why it matters: An improperly secured drive chain May slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the tcu, inspect tcu data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall…
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, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (101): the most common themes are electrical failure (90), stalls / loses power (29), door / lock issues (16).
- Transmission & drivetrain (58): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (24), noise or vibration (14), warning light on (14).
- Other / unknown (56): the most common themes are electrical failure (15), noise or vibration (10), warning light on (8).
- Visibility/Wiper (49): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2020 Subaru Ascent has 322 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 8 Ascent model years for complaints (2.5× the average Ascent year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (85 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 6,126 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (442 complaints, 9 recalls), 2021 (102 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 2020 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 2020 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Subaru Ascent problems?
Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (101), transmission & drivetrain (58), other / unknown (56).
What gas mileage does the 2020 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 2020 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.