2019 Subaru Ascent · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 137owner reports
- 12,000median miles
- $250median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
161 of the 440 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 137 of those describe dead battery, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Ascent.
Tick what matches of 137 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (134 reports), the starter (8 reports) and the alternator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
Risk and remedy
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 ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
What owners paid
8 of the 137 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $207 to $500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,590 and 19,000 miles, from the 74 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The battery drains prematurely. I have been stranded waiting for 3 + hours for roadside assistance due to dead batter 3 times in December 2021. The dealer told me that due to the number of computers in the 2019 Subaru Acsent that it had to be driven at least twice a week to avoid this problem. The dealer had to replace the battery under the warranty because it burned up when they tried to charge it. touring sub”
Filed Jan 6, 2022
“Recently have had issues with the battery. I've had to jump the car 4 times in the last month. The car was purchased in August 2021. I believe the electrical system is draining the battery.”
Filed Dec 23, 2021
“Left tailgate open for ~5 hours and the parasitic draw of that action left our battery dead. We were stranded in the middle of nowhere and had to get the battery jumped. After getting jumped... our electronics, especially the safety systems were no longer operable.”
Filed Nov 21, 2021
“Battery drains and vehicle inoperable. First time had to have towed to dealer- Adventure Subaru- who said problem not identified. Happens repeatedly. Left stranded .”
Filed Oct 16, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 137 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 75 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 40 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 36 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports