Subaru Ascent owners have reported 13 wheel related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common wheel problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's wheel (13 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
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.
Oil leak from engine constantly from front differential, rec cvt pump reseal with new trans seal, pump is leaking causing drips ; drain plug is also leaking. Need to replace front and rear pads & rotors at 35k miles which is unheard of. Accessed by suberu dealership.
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).
My 2024 Subaru Ascent started experiencing brake issues in early January. The car would shake heavily and make noise when braking, despite having only 10,500 miles. Concerned, I contacted Subaru of America and was advised to take it to a dealership for an inspection. On 1/31/25, the dealer inspected the brakes and determined that the front rotors and brake pads needed to be replaced. Subaru of America confirmed that the dealer would order new parts for the front brakes. A few days later, I received an email from the dealership stating that the new rotors and brake pads had arrived, and they scheduled me for service on 2/14/25. However, after waiting at the dealership for three hours, I was informed that instead of replacing the rotors as initially promised, they had simply resurfaced them. The explanation given was that these were already “upgraded” rotors. This raises serious concerns for me—if these rotors were already upgraded, why did they fail before 10,000 miles? this is a clear safety issue, and I am increasingly worried that both Subaru of America and the dealership are not properly addressing the situation. I was supposed to receive brand-new rotors, yet I am now left with resurfaced ones, which does not give me confidence in my vehicle’s safety. I need a proper resolution to this issue. Potentially Subaru America should issue a safety recall for these breaks.
2022 Subaru Ascent limited complained about the tires and brakes to dealership during initial 6k service they said they are fine and sent me on my way. I have taking it in since on 2 or 3 other occasions and same thing. Nothings wrong they checked it drove it and its fine. My wife got rear ended nothing big just replaced the rear bumper and hitch at a certified Subaru collision center. They also did not look over the car since its new they also sent me on my way and I asked for an inspection nothing. I call the dealership a week ago to speak to the service manager so I can get the info for the extended warranty since I am having these issues and its close to 20k miles now and they have not done anything regarding the issue. Waited never sent the info and before I could take it to the dealer ship a few days later I had a blowout. I replaced the tire with the spare but the tire is bald and you cant see it its on the inside there patchy and the brake pads are to small they admitted that they are small for the car and rotors and they would not under a recall but a service bulletin cover the brake pads and resurface the rotors there warped and pulsing its not safe at all. The blow out happened on the sidewall where the bead is where the wheel is mounted just blew. The manager did not offer a vehicle and advised me they had none even with 4 kids I am willing to take any vehicle. I have not received the service and Subaru has not serviced my car as they should and they now claim they have no service records which I provided info and nothing. They want $160 for labor $140 for alignment and $1200 for tires. Its not my fault the service was not done and overlooked I have taken it to that dealership since I purchased it. Called Subaru of America they are dragging there feet the dealership has had my car on the donut since 7/17/24 still waiting on soa I was told 2 business days and still nothing no vehicle had to get a rental. I do not want the car it is not safe. I almost died.
I have owned the car new since July 1, 2023. About a month into ownership the tpms light came on. My wife was close to a tire shop so they checked all the pressures and all were fine. The light started coming on with regularity, any drive over about 25 miles would trigger it 99% of the time and it would reset shortly. Took to dealer they saw the faults in memory but did not know why they were being set. Cleared and reset the modules. The light was back a few days later and then on September 10 and 11 was on full time so I set an appointment. By the time I got the dealer the light had cleared. They found similar codes but they were not useful. The dealer wanted me to agree to pay for diagnostics if the "warranty company" turned down the claim. The warranty company being Subaru of America. I declined to pay for a safety issue being diagnosed on a brand new car. I have notified Subaru of America of my concern and have not received a response at this time. Looking at the Subaru forums on-line it appears that this tpms issue is quite widespread. It is also apparent that Subaru is not willing to fix its safety issues without my agreeing to pay as well.
2021 Subaru Ascent with 15,735 miles on it with the factory falken tires. The tread and metal was showing and separating from the tires. 2 tires, original to the car off the lot. Tires should last 30-40-50 miles. The other 2 tires were labeled as a 4-5 category. The car did not steer to the left or right, no noise at all. If driving on the highway and 2 tires failed, I could have been injured, my passengers or another vehicle crash. This was very dangerous. In going to the Subaru website and seems hundreds of other customers had the same issue. Failing, inferior, defective falken tires and alignment issues. I hope these tires don't fail and cause someone to lose their life.
On 7/16/2023 I was driving my 2023 Subaru Ascent on I-95 when the tire psi warning alerted me to low tire pressure on my rear driver side tire (falken 245/50/r20 - tires were on the vehicle when purchased in April 2023). I immediately turned on my hazard lights, lessened my speed, and carefully made my way to the shoulder hoping to exit the highway for assistance. The tire pressure dropped from 34 to 0 in a matter of seconds (I watched the psi monitor in the dash display). I barely made it to the shoulder. A aaa technician (tasha from a-z towing) changed my tire and noted that the tire may be defective after inspecting the tire, given the sidewall damage and no other obvious tire damage to cause the flat and that I had less than 4k miles on the vehicle. Internet searches yielded a recall for my exact vehicle and tires, my exact experience with sudden loss of tire pressure; yet my VIN was not included in the recall. I am concerned that the recall is not expansive enough and there may be other vehicles with defective tires driving unaware because their VIN was not identified. The recall may need to be more expansive and inclusive. I have an appointment with Subaru hunt valley today and have been in contact with Subaru of America - case #230721-1900946. Thus far, Subaru is not acknowledging my experience as part of the recall. I am fearful to drive my new car in that I worry the other three tires will rupture spontaneously. This is not the safety I expected when purchasing a new Subaru. I was on I-95 traveling at 55mph in the rain in the second from left lane when the tire psi alert sounded. Thankfully, I acted immediately out of an abundance of caution and concern, since there was no reason for my tire to suddenly lose pressure it was alarming. I could have caused an accident and have been severely injured. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle knowing it has three other tires susceptible to the same issue. (also filed complaint as to tires. ).
Front wheel bearing issue. Very luckily made it to trusted local shop. Mechanic said we are lucky wheel did not fall off. We wanted to drive to Subaru, he said we would not make the trip. No warning lights. Did not yet have inspected by Subaru, will do next service.
Left front wheel bearing found on inspection at local service station to be failing. Defect has been repaired by Subaru dealer under warranty on 7/26/22.
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.
I as driving on the freeway at approximately 70 mph. A 'low tire pressure ' warming came on for a few seconds then went away. A minute later, my car started to swerve and was making a loud noise. I was able to cross 3 lanes to the shoulder, where I found a completely destroyed left rear tire. My car has less than 1,800 miles on it. I feel lucky to be alive.
Almost 9500 miles, raining outside wife driving normal speed (highway driving) and eyesight stopped working and check engine light came on. Vehicle still ran. Secondly took to local subrau dealership for 10,000 service they found nothing wrong and did service. Wife left dealership and noticed car pulling to left after tires rotated. Returned to dealership , they said it was normal feathering of tires. Worried eyesight and engine can be affected with rain. Also at a few hundred more miles we now smell burning oil on and off outside of car. We have also experienced high revving motor with no foot on gas pedal. (stationary when smelling burnt oil smell and motor revving. Also once high revving while my 17 year old was city driving. Love to drive the car, hope it holds up!.