NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Subaru Ascent Safety Ratings
The 2019 Subaru Ascent scores 78 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 9 recalls, and 431 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
Eight recall campaigns significantly impact the 2019 Subaru Ascent's overall safety profile, despite strong crash-test scores and a full suite of standard crash-avoidance technology. One recall, in particular, necessitated a park-outside directive. These factors contribute to the Ascent's NHTSA Safety Index of 79/100, positioning it within the Average safety band.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent received a 5-out-of-5 overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 79/100, based entirely on NHTSA crash, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 Subaru Ascent ranks 68 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 78 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17% |
| Recalls on file | 9 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 431 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 68 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
The 2019 Subaru Ascent, marking its debut model year, achieved a Safety Index of 79 out of 100. This score reflects a robust crash protection sub-score of 66 out of 70 and a perfect 10 out of 10 for avoidance technology, with standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. However, the vehicle's defect record significantly impacted its overall rating, with a sub-score of just 3 out of 20 due to eight recall campaigns. Of particular concern is a recall for electrical wiring that prompted NHTSA to advise owners against parking indoors until repairs were completed, citing a fire risk from a loose ground bolt in the interior wiring harness. Further recalls include two separate campaigns addressing the transmission control module, indicating persistent software issues within the powertrain. Additionally, two distinct fuel-pump recalls, issued in 2020 and 2021, underscore the volume of defects present in this first-model-year vehicle. The recall frequency represents the primary factor preventing the 2019 Ascent from achieving a higher Safety Index band.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Subaru Ascent perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Subaru Ascent achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. While frontal and side crash protection both earned 5-star ratings, the rollover assessment presents a relative concern, scoring 4 out of 5 stars. The measured rollover risk for this model stands at 17 percent, with the dynamic tip test recording "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13073
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
The 2019 Subaru Ascent carries eight NHTSA recall campaigns. One is a park-outside or do-not-drive directive tied to an interior wiring ground-bolt defect in the electrical system. Additional campaigns address two separate transmission control module programming faults, and two distinct fuel-pump delivery failures. Owners should verify all five listed campaigns are resolved on their specific VIN.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS26V436000
Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Reported 2026-07-07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH22V907000
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the grou
Reported 2022-12-08
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)21V955000
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 wi
Reported 2021-12-09
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V587000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2021-07-29
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP20V218000
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2020-04-16
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)19V855000
Risk: If the fluid pressure is measured higher than its actual value, the hydraulic pressure will be reduced. If this occurs, the transmission drive chain may not have the proper tension, resulting in a loss of drive power and an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners
Reported 2019-12-02
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)19V856000
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Reported 2019-12-02
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT19V519000
Risk: If the front end of the driveshaft separates, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2019-07-10
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS18V508000
Risk: In the event of a crash, the missing spot welds may compromise the vehicle's strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 is WTU-80.
Reported 2018-08-02
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
NHTSA has logged 431 unverified consumer complaints against the 2019 Ascent. Alleged problem areas include the Electrical System (158 reports), Power Train (82), and Visibility/Wiper systems (66). Reported allegations also include 10 crash events, 6 fire incidents, and 8 injuries. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
431 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
Shoppers of the 2019 Ascent should confirm all eight federal recalls have been remedied, as several carry significant safety implications. Of particular concern are the campaigns addressing electrical fire risk, which prompted the manufacturer to advise parking outside, and the dual fuel pump recalls. Verifying the completion of these and other recalls through documented service records is paramount to safety for any prospective owner.
- The 2019 Ascent is the nameplate's launch year, so its Safety Index of 79/100 has no prior-year baseline for comparison, making the defect sub-score of 3/20 the clearest signal of accumulated recall risk.
- One of the eight recall campaigns carries a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, specifically an interior wiring ground-bolt defect that poses a fire risk if the vehicle is left in an enclosed space before repair.
- Two separate transmission control module recalls were issued for this model year, one in late 2019 and one in late 2021, both addressing programming errors that could affect transmission behavior.
- Owner-reported allegations total 431 complaints, with the Electrical System alone accounting for 158 of those unverified reports, a concentration that aligns directly with the wiring-related recall campaign affecting this year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Subaru Ascent places
The 2019 Subaru Ascent qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Subaru Ascent safety questions
Was the 2019 Subaru Ascent crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Subaru Ascent, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 78 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 Subaru Ascent crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Subaru Ascent earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Subaru Ascent?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 431 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Subaru Ascent. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Ascent years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 13073), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Subaru Ascent 2019.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 68 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.