2021 Subaru Ascent
Model year 2021: every recall NHTSA’s file names for it, the complaints owners made to NHTSA, and its crash ratings.
- NHTSA: don’t drive it or park it outside, for one of its recalls
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s recall lookup is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
From NHTSA’s files, copied Nov 4, 2026.
- 2 recalls naming it in NHTSA’s file (needs attention)
- Don’t drive it or park it outside: NHTSA’s advice, for one of its recalls (needs attention)
- 105 owner complaints to NHTSA
- 5of 5 overall stars from NHTSA
A recall covers the vehicles it names, by build date where NHTSA gives one. Your VIN says which are open on yours.
Is your vehicle in one of these recalls?
No public file says which recalls are still open on one vehicle. NHTSA’s lookup does, from its VIN.
The VIN goes to NHTSA, never to Hearth Record.
What recalls name it?
2 recalls for the 2021 Subaru Ascent in NHTSA’s file, newest first. Each covers the vehicles it names; your VIN says if yours is one.
NHTSA advises some owners not to drive it, or to park it outside: see below.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.
Jul 7, 2026. Equipment: other: labels
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NHTSA campaign
26V-436
Dec 8, 2022. Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
What have owners told NHTSA?
105 complaints to NHTSA, received from Jan 4, 2021 to Oct 31, 2026.
- 4 complaints told of a crash, and 1 complaint of a fire.
- Together they report 4 people injured and no deaths.
- Complaints are owners’ own reports, not findings: NHTSA reads them to decide what to look into. Only their counts are kept here; no complaint’s words or owner are read.
NHTSA, Owner complaints flat files. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.
How did it do in crash tests?
NHTSA rated 1 version of the 2021 Subaru Ascent: 5 stars overall.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings, in whole stars. NHTSA’s safety concerns are shown beneath the stars they qualify, as NHTSA asks.
NHTSA, 5-Star Safety Ratings. Released Aug 7, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent, SUV, AWD | 5 stars | 5 starsDriver 5, passenger 5 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 17.0% chance of rolling over; no tip |
NHTSA lists no safety concern for any version rated here.
Safety technology, as NHTSA lists it
- Forward collision warning: standard.
- Lane departure warning: standard.
- Crash imminent braking: standard.
- Dynamic brake support: standard.
What the record doesn’t say
- Which recalls are still open on one vehicle: only NHTSA’s lookup, with its VIN, says that.
- Ratings are for the versions NHTSA tested. Other cabs, engines and drives can rate differently.
- How serious each complaint was, or whether it was confirmed: complaints aren’t findings.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Nov 4, 2026 and checked Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Owner complaints flat files.
Released Nov 4, 2026 and checked Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5-Star Safety Ratings.
Released Aug 7, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Nov 4, 2026.