MODEL
Subaru Ascent
NHTSA safety across every Subaru Ascent model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Subaru Ascent we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 96 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 79. 17 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Subaru Ascent is a three-row family SUV that slots into one of the most competitive segments in the American market. Built on Subaru's global platform and aimed squarely at families needing genuine passenger capacity, the Ascent competes with the likes of the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It carries the brand's signature all-wheel-drive standard equipment and positions itself as a practical, safety-conscious choice for households moving beyond smaller crossovers.
MotorCaliber covers the Subaru Ascent across the 2019 through 2025 model years, and the safety picture that emerges is genuinely encouraging in some areas while warranting real attention in others. At its best, the Ascent earns a 95 out of 100 on our NHTSA Safety Index for the 2024 model year, placing it in the Exceptional band. Crash-test hardware backs that up: the strongest years show a perfect 5-star frontal and 5-star side result, with a 4-star rollover score, the latter a common outcome for taller, heavier three-row SUVs and not a surprise given the Ascent's ride height. The recall count is where shoppers need to slow down and read carefully. Seventeen recalls across the covered model years is a meaningful number for a nameplate of this age, and four of those campaigns carry park-outside or do-not-drive severity designations, meaning federal investigators considered the underlying defects serious enough to remove vehicles from use until repaired. That is not a figure to dismiss. Owner complaints total 998, with 31 reported crashes, 12 fire allegations, and 24 injury claims embedded in that pool. These are unverified allegations, but the fire-related complaint count is worth monitoring. The bottom line: the Ascent's crash-test credentials are among the stronger results in this segment, but the recall history demands that any used-Ascent buyer run a VIN check and confirm all open campaigns have been closed.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Ascent as a competent and well-rounded three-row family SUV, praising its standard all-wheel drive, usable third-row access, and family-friendly feature set. Most professional assessments position it as a sensible, if not class-leading, choice in the competitive mid-size SUV segment, with ride comfort and interior practicality frequently highlighted as genuine strengths.
- The 2024 Ascent achieved a 95 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index, placing it in the Exceptional band, with top 5-star frontal and side crash ratings in its best-tested years, making recent model years among the stronger safety performers in the three-row SUV class.
- Seventeen recalls across 2019 to 2025 is a high count for this nameplate, and four of those campaigns were serious enough to carry park-outside or do-not-drive designations. Any shopper, especially those buying used, should run a free VIN lookup at NHTSA.gov before purchasing and confirm every open recall has been remedied.
- Rollover protection scores 4 out of 5 stars consistently, a result typical for tall three-row SUVs but a real-world reminder that the Ascent's higher center of gravity requires respect in emergency maneuvers and on slippery surfaces.
- The 998 owner complaints on file include 12 fire-related allegations and 31 reported crashes. These are unverified claims, not confirmed defects, but the fire complaint count is elevated enough that buyers should ask a dealer to document any relevant technical service bulletins and verify that recall repairs, particularly those tied to the do-not-drive campaigns, have been completed.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Subaru Ascent with 8 recalls.