Model year guide

2019 Subaru Ascent

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2019 Subaru Ascent is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2019 Subaru Ascent — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2019 Subaru Ascent at a glance

Safety recalls8
Owner complaints432
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$34,187

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2019 Subaru Ascent recalls 8

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm) NHTSA Campaign #19V855000 · 02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The transmission hydraulic sensor may inaccurately measure the hydraulic fluid pressure.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control unit. The hydraulic sensor harness will be replaced on vehicles with certain stored diagnostic trouble codes. In addition, any vehicle confirmed to have experienced low drive chain tension will have the transmission as…

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm) NHTSA Campaign #21V955000 · 09/12/2021

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.

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 reca…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #21V587000 · 29/07/2021

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.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #20V218000 · 16/04/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv) NHTSA Campaign #19V856000 · 02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service…

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #19V519000 · 10/07/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Ascent vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, possibly resulting in the front portion of the driveshaft disconnecting.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly, including the center support brace, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUI-94.

Structure:body:roof And Pillars NHTSA Campaign #18V508000 · 02/08/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles. These vehicles may be missing spot welds on, or around, the B-Pillar, compromising vehicle strength.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to check for missing spot welds. If the welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall …

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash NHTSA Campaign #22V907000 · 08/12/2022

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.

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 t…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2019 Subaru Ascent common problems

Owners have filed 432 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2019 Subaru Ascent safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2019 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2019 Subaru Ascent MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2019 Subaru Ascent worth?

Low
$29,995
Typical price
$34,187
High
$39,477

From 12 comparable 2019 Subaru Ascent listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2019 Subaru Ascent costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,500
Fuel only$14,500
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2019 Subaru Ascent trims & engines on record

Trims
Premium 7+ES+KA · Limited 7+ES+KA+M/R+NAVI+H/K · Touring+ES+KA+M/R+NAVI+H/K · Premium 8+ES+KA · Limited 8+ES+KA+M/R+NAVI+H/K · Limited 7+ES+KA · Premium 8+ES
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 260 hp

2019 Subaru Ascent vehicles on record

Other Subaru Ascent model years

2019 Subaru Ascent — frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Ascent?

Owners have filed 432 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are power train, service brakes, engine.

What is the 2019 Subaru Ascent safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2019 Subaru Ascent an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2019 Subaru Ascent get?

The 2019 Subaru Ascent has a U.S. EPA estimate of 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 2019 Subaru Ascent worth?

Comparable 2019 Subaru Ascent listings run roughly $29,995–$39,477, typically around $34,187 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.