Steering Problems of Subaru Ascent

My 2024 Subaru Ascent developed a recurring clunk/thump noise from the steering system during low-speed turning (10–15 mph) and when turning the wheel at a stop. The noise was present daily and worsened over time. I took the vehicle to two Subaru dealerships. Sterling Subaru dismissed the steering noise completely and stated they could not duplicate it. Dulles Subaru also initially dismissed the issue. Only when I returned to pick up the vehicle and insisted on demonstrating the noise did their technician acknowledge it. They compared my vehicle to another Ascent on the lot and confirmed the noise was abnormal. Dulles then replaced the steering gear box assembly (steering rack) under warranty. This confirms there was a mechanical defect in the steering system. Before this repair, I also reported excessive inner-edge wear on both front tires. The technician documented “excessive wear on both front inner tires” and recommended replacing all four tires and performing an alignment. Inner-edge wear on both front tires is not caused by lack of rotation—it is consistent with misalignment or steering geometry deviation, which matches the confirmed steering defect. Subaru America has refused to replace the damaged tires even though the tire manufacturer (falken) stated in writing that irregular wear caused by a mechanical defect is the vehicle manufacturer’s responsibility. Safety concern: a defective steering rack caused abnormal steering behavior and front-end geometry issues, which led to rapid inner-edge tire wear. If unnoticed, this can result in loss of steering control or a tire failure at highway speeds. Both dealerships initially dismissing the issue is also concerning. I am filing this report so NHTSA can track potential steering-related defects and resulting tire safety issues on the 2024 Subaru Ascent. I can provide service records, photos, and Subaru correspondence upon request.

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My vehicle has lost eyesight too many times while am driving on high way so steering wheel locked, adater,cruise control sign appears together . Just a second my family had almost died due to vacation time in August,2025. I cant believe that is brand new Subaru Ascent touring 2024 I purchased from March ,2024. We found Subaru dealership at las vegas ,na but technician of there responded to me that : they dont know exhaust button number and they are not sure my car still safe or not safety when I am driving on the highway, (my family has 7 peoples from [xxx] old to [xxx] old ,we had to sleep at gas station over 2 nights with out electronic,. . ) they answered to me that : they can not fix it. Their answer made me scared because we need to a car go back home . We can not drive it anymore ,I decided trade it to Chevrolet to purchase other brand new car on aughust 9,2025 to back home. I wanted to Subaru manufacture must be responsible to my new expenses vehicle like insurance higher, loan interest higher. The car only 14,823 miles, I spoke to salesmanager at my dealership and requested refund but he did not have resolve to me and keeping quiet until now. If my whole family die from Subaru corporation from their technology error,who will return our life? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Component- steering locks safety risk - vehicle cannot be started. Therefore if in an area of risk - cannot start vehicle. This randomly happens pulling into parking spaces. It is repetitive. I’m older and alone, scary when it happens as you are stranded. And call to Subaru roadside only option was to tow the vehicle the vehicle to dealership. Online fix is to man handle the steering wheel and turn it in the direction of the tension. Pulling into a normal parking space should not create the tension necessary for the steering wheel to lock. I have been on Subaru Ascent form us and this seems to be a common problem with this vehicle. Mine has been inspected for the last occurrence and was told battery issue. The other times there were no battery issues and dealerships cannot find issues. Warning light only lights up after steering wheel locks up and vehicle cannot be started. The safety risk for me is being stranded - and no way to prevent it or know when it might happen.

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Vehicle wanders on the highway and pulls hard to the left, which is a very concerning safety issue. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealer, did an alignment and took it back a month later because the issue persisted. The problem persist, specially when driving the vehicle on the highway. I am really concern about my family safety and the safety of others in the road.

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Steering wheel drifting to the right, wabbly, unstable car dealer appleford in MD) checked and stated on Saturday August 13, 2022 that no problem with car, I am still having this problem, called Subaru at 844-373-6614, talked to alex and issue case #220815-22645 I am not comfortable to drive this car with issue, please advise.

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My Subaru Ascent stopped dead while I accelerated to go on the interstate. All the idiot lights came on. The steering stopped working, the gas acceleration stopped working and my Subaru Ascent 2019 died in the middle of the interstate. I had to pay $150 for a tow to the nearest Subaru dealership, even though I was 65 miles from my home. It would have cost $450 to be towed to my local dealership. The dealership wouldn’t tell me if this was covered by warranty because they didn’t know. I was at about 65,000 miles and my original warranty had ended. In the end, Subaru replaced my transmission but never gave me a loaner. Subaru also kept saying it would be done soon, but took a week. In the mean time I had to find a way to work, and pay the tow bill. Now, my Subaru Ascent is feeling like it did before, such as hesitation when stepping on the gas. I believe Subaru put in a transmission that was the previous recalled one. I also believe that Subaru lied to me about putting in a brand new transmission. I have tried to make a service appointment for the recall and problems with the transmission, but there are no appointments available. I stopped looking when I got to the bookings that were a year out. No warning lamps before this, just hesitation when stepping on the gas pedal.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 20 mph and making a slight right hand turn the steering did not respond and the vehicle drifted to the left and crashed into the guard rail. Prior to the incident the driver indicated the steering wheel felt wobbly and unstable. The injuries were reported. The police was called to scene and the vehicle was towed away. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 10,000.

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 contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while in the middle of an intersection, the power steering assist failed as the power steering disabled warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had to use excessive force to complete the turn as several other unknown warning lights illuminated. After she pulled over, the contact was able to resume normal driving after the vehicle was restarted. The contact then called the dealer who informed her to bring in the vehicle to be inspected. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. The VIN was not available.

On several occasions while using the lane centering feature, vehicle has taken a sudden violent move to the left into the on coming lane. No warning lights illuminated. Problem hasn’t been replicated by dealer.

Lane assist with cruise control over corrects. On multiple occasions while on the freeway using cruise control the lane assist pulled me into the other lane into other vehicles. I have almost hit other vehicles. The pull is too strong and crosses lanes. If not fixed by Subaru, accidents will occur.

I bought this car brand new from Subaru dealer in sterling va. Starting form first week we start having issues with certain parts. (steering, line assist, unexpected breaking, shaky/wobbly brakes, raw fuel smell in the cabin and around the car. ) I took the car may times to dealer to get it serviced however every time I was sent back as they couldn't replicate the issue. In one instance, they found some errors on the front brakes and changed it. After that car still having issues with breaking noise and also shakiness when breaking during high speeds. One of my biggest concern is the raw fuel smell coming into the cabin during idle or low speeds. I have to use the internal air circulation to avoid to bring raw smell from engine to cabin. I also noticed raw smell is also noticeable if you park. Front of the car, front passenger and driver sides also have that raw fuel smell. Dealer couldn't replicate the smell however I have some of my friends and family members noticed it without having expert knowledge on the issue. I am thinking, Subaru Ascents turbo system might be causing the fuel smell. Either its dangerous for fumes in the cabin and/or it is fire hazard eventually. I also think break problems are due to wrong sizing of the break parts for the size of the car. You can easily feel breaks are having difficulty stopping car when going down hill over 50 miles hr. . . It starts wobbling. Per master tech in my Subaru dealer, this is normal Subaru Ascent behavior and there is nothing wrong. I don't believe that. Attaching all the documentation I have.

The 2021 Ascent has lane centering assist with very strict margins. It is a constant tug of war with the vehicle when lane centering is active. When you let the car take over, it violently jerks you into the next lane. This problem has been cross checked with other users on a Subaru forum and all have the same issue. The car overcorrects and is prone to cause an accident at some point. I am lucky no one was in the lane next to me when the car swerved me into the next lane. My 2021 is a replacement of a 2020 model because the 2020 was deemed a lemon. The 2020 model did not have lane centering but lane keep assist instead. The 2020 did not violently jerk into the next lane. This issue has been reported to leslie karpiak at soa who helped me through my lemon issue on the 2020 model. I requested a full buy back and she suggested I have my car inspected at a dealership, but that is a lengthy process and I have already spend 3 months in and out of dealerships with my 2020 model. This appears to be a common issue on all 2021 models and should be investigated fully. I am holding Subaru 100% liable when an accident occurs because of this lane centering issue. This issue happens on a continuous driving basis. Your help and assistance is greatly appreciated for the sake of saving lives.

Vehicle wanders on the highway. When passing a vehicle on the road the lane centering assist tries to hug the centerline and the driver must keep pulling he vehicle back to the center of the passing lane. A short lapse of steering could pull the vehicle into the side of the vehicle being passed. Full time job to keep the vehicle from wandering when very liitle wind and almost impossible to keep it from wandering when the wind is blowing 15-20 mph. Not a pleasant relaxing drive.

I have the same steering trouble's as the complaint filed on Mar. 03/19. I was told at the dealership that the lane assist has some steering control. (computer steering me) they also showed me how to turn lane assist off. I did notice the difference in control. Now a few weeks into driving with the lane control off, the car has returned to correcting itself and constantly tells driver that this system has been turned off. Has Subaru made a boeing mistake?.

Have had electrical (radio/bluetooth) issues since 2 weeks after taking poccession. Been in for repair 4 times . No resolve loose steering is a big safety concern. While driving vehicle at an approx. Speed of 65 mph in windy conditions on Nov. 3 2018 garden state pkwy the wind encapsulated the vehicle causing inability to control. Vehicle moved relentlessly side to side making a white knuckle experience. Side window lane departure lights were almost on constantly. Felt like the wind was lifting car from ground. Had to pull into 2 rest stops as stress of trying to control vehicle was unpredictable and stressful. As for electronic issues dealer replaced amplifiers and problem still persists new radio/phone unit ordered but not installed due to my filing lemon law.