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Subaru · Midsize / large SUV

2026 Subaru Ascent

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
97 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA1
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA22 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Ascent, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 1 complaint, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
AscentGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo192622$2,850
Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl turbo192521$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 50021, 50022.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Equipment

WRH-26
541,237 vehicles
ProblemSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."RiskAn incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSubaru 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 24, 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V436000reported Jul 7, 2026Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Vehicle Speed Control1

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2026 Subaru Accent. The contact stated that there was a failure related to the brake pedal design. The contact stated that there was an approximate one-inch difference in spacing between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal in previous model vehicles. The contact stated that there was an approxi…”Mar 20, 2026 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Ascent model years

A

2027 Subaru Ascent

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2024 Subaru Ascent

1 recalls · 50 complaints

C

2023 Subaru Ascent

4 recalls · 44 complaints

B

2022 Subaru Ascent

2 recalls · 55 complaints

B

2021 Subaru Ascent

2 recalls · 102 complaints

F

2020 Subaru Ascent

5 recalls · 321 complaints

F

2019 Subaru Ascent

9 recalls · 441 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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