Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent a bad year?
324 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 59, 4.2× a quiet Ascent year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 6k–45k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 Ascent owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 18,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 59 (18%) | 6k–45k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 30 (9%) | 1k–20k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 101 (31%) | 3k–10k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 60 (19%) | 3k–14k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 26 (8%) | 3k–10k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 18,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 324 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 4 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
26 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2020 Subaru Ascent: 5
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped. An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 215
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Subaru Ascent. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404…
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load
Reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0014, P0024, P0128, P2109
Neighbouring years
2019 Ascent: 443 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2021 Ascent: 106 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Ascent year
2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Ascent years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Forester · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent a bad year?
324 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 59, 4.2× a quiet Ascent year. At 18,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 6k–45k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (59), engine (30), electrical system (101), visibility and wipers (60), brakes (26). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 6k–45k miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 26V-436), Electrical system (NHTSA 22V-907), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 21V-955), Steering (NHTSA 21V-954) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.