Exterior Lighting Problems of Subaru Ascent

When vehicle was 3. 5-4 years old, the led "halo" around the headlight assembly went out. This part is a fixed part of the assembly and unrepairable and requires the owner to replace the entire headlight assembly. An led headlight should not be going out after only 3. 5-4 years. I have noticed this is a common complaint on online forums for the Subaru Ascent. Normally, this would just be a cosmetic nuisance, but in states, such as virginia where I live, that have annual vehicle safety inspections, the vehicle fails inspection if any part of the headlight does not work, regardless of its effect on the functioning of the actual headlight lamp to produce light when activated. Further, this is a dealer only part and repair and I was quoted $1,300 for an issue that has no effect on the headlight to illuminate the road and is cosmetic only. Subaru needs to address this faulty assembly.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Ascent 🔎.

The driver's side headlamp assembly (one complete piece, led lighting) has a thin strip at the top that is used for daytime running lights. These are automatically on when the vehicle is on and it's not yet dark. In early 2024, this driver's side thin strip daytime running lights stopped working entirely. I've learned that the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced, rather than being able to just change out the daytime running component or replace a light bulb like one used to be able to do. I've taken the vehicle in for an estimate, and the nashville, TN Subaru dealership quoted me about $1700 to replace the headlamp assembly, with nearly $1,000 of that being for the light itself, and the rest being labor. The technician at the Subaru dealership was aware of this problem, with many others coming into the shop for the same thing, and he advised complaining directly to Subaru. There are aftermarket options for $200 but the labor is still excessive. From researching online about how to find the aftermarket options, I've learned from a quick google search, lots of posts on reddit and facebook, among other forums, of other vehicle owners of this year and the years surrounding it that it is a very frequently-occurring problem, related to it being too close to something in the engine- and others reported that this has happened multiple times to their same vehicle! I called Subaru of America to complain and ask for a good will replacement, but they said they would not be able to assist me as I was beyond 3 years/50k miles, and that I would have to go with the Subaru of America option. Please look into this and find that this is a common problem and the remedy should not be stuck to the consumer, with such an exorbitant bill. Subaru should address this known problem and a recall should be made so that we may have this corrected/those who have had to pay for it can be compensated. Thank you!.

The two map lights and the part referred to as the front overhead console has a defective design which at the least stops the lights from working properly, but at the worst, can start a fire. Subaru must be aware of the problem because it routinely change them. My vehicle listed above was ready for the installation of the third console when I said to myself, this one is not under warranty so let me call Subaru. They agreed to cover part of the cost- now we are sure that Subaru knows there is a fire hazard, didn’t report it, do a voluntary recall, or notify you. Am I eligible for money for whistleblowing? so I have pictures of the melted condition, and the repair. I also made a video of the repair. You can search re-engineering Subaru Ascent map light console if you want to see it. I figured the cause, developed a solution, and re-engineered it. I can, most can’t. I definitely shouldn’t have to get out a solder gun and repair the electrical components because they are defective. The problem is the design. The direction you push the light cover switch pushes the socket away from its contact. This creates a gap that causes heat that both melts the plastic, and also cracking and melting around the plate of metal that makes contact with the socket. I just soldered them together and have a light that works perfect, but I do have degraded cracked plastic around the socket, so I condenser it perhaps temporary, but better than hearing the light sizzle while arcing. Plus the lights work every time. You can search Subaru Ascent maplight and will find a bunch of people asking about the problem. For some it just stops working which is the best thing. For others you get sizzleing and a dim light. The resulting arcing also causes the light to turn off improperly and results in sizzling also. That’s should not be able to happen. Off is off. Let’s get this taken care of. We dont want injuries, or accident s because the light started smoking and distracted someone.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Ascent 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the left turning signal and driver’s side daytime running light failed to illuminate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that he was given a ticket for the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turn signal and drive’s side headlight needed to be replaced; however, the parts for the repair were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Steering is so sensitive that it exhausted driver. Lane control is exhausting. Transmission looses power, but mechanics say nothing registering. The car smokes on cold start and white exhaust smells terrible. This is worse in summer when transmission is hot. Hatch can’t be left open when camping because it ran my battery dead. There is no lighting at the back of car and front interior lights, led, time out.

The audio died two days prior to the entire car dying completely. We charged the battery, and most of the car began working except for a few random electrical areas. Seems to be a short somewhere. I have under 10,000 miles and a dead battery. . . Highly problematic.

Premature battery drain. Ive replaced the battery in my Ascent 3 times in the past 2 years I've had the vehicle. First instance occured when taligate hadnt closed all the way and drianed battery. Second instance car doors were open for approx 2 hours to clean and detail my car when battery died. Third instance was listening to music in the car for 40 min while waiting for husband to go to store and I waited in the car and batter died yet again.

Vehicle started off with the radio not saving channels. It would reset the radio every few days. A message would come on the dashboard which would say the car will be restarted in a few hours. And a light not working. Took in and they said it was battery. Replaced. Then got back. Within week or so. Car had all lights coming on and off on dashboard. Started jumping. Even drove backwards when put in drive. Took in and they replaced transmission. Within the week after getting back, the car was skipping gears. Another transmission. Then back in for radio not shutting off when car off and locked. Would run for hours. Also the trunk door would not lock. Took and they said it was a switch. Radio again still resetting. Radio will randomly shut off and then turn back on. The rear trunk will lock and then not unlock. Car is still driving rough. Clearly the car has electrical issues. It is back in now.

Wife was driving home from work approximately 09:10 pm(25901 riverwoods rd, mettawa, IL 60045) no one was seriously injured in automobile fire I-94 1 mile south of route 176(exit 16(/rockland road). After no more than a minute on the interstate, I noticed some smoke and pulled immediately off to side of road as soon as possible (around 1. 5-2. 0 miles from work) and around 5 min into drive from departure from address listed above. Was fortunate that officer m zawierowski was driving by and able to assist and called fire department. When officer stated went back to car noticed that car locked up all doors and stated how fortunate you (wife) were able to escape. The only warning was smell and smoke, minute later car was burning and within short time heat and smoke was severe that state police called fire department.

At only 17. 6k miles, the battery in my 2019 Subaru Ascent was completely drained overnight, for no logical reason. I called Subaru roadside assistance to give me a jump and I let it run for 33 minutes then took it for a 10 min drive. The battery was dead again the next morning. Vehicle was stationary overnight and until the 10 min drive. During this time the tailgate would persistently beep, trying to open.