2020 Subaru Ascent · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 90owner reports
- 7,200median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 13, 2024 · checked Sep 9, 2026
101 of the 321 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 90 of those describe dead battery, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Ascent.
Tick what matches of 90 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (87 reports) and the starter (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2020 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 4,000 and 10,785 miles, from the 54 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Excessive battery drain for no reason. The vehicle has a random battery drain for no apparent reason. This vehicle has less than 26K miles on it and has needed a charge or jump-start more than 10+ times. We have been able to replicate the problem numerous times, once charged, the battery and alternator pass tests.”
Filed Aug 23, 2022 · 26,000 miles
“Started having electrical and audio glitches ultimately causing the battery to completely drain”
Filed Dec 22, 2021
“This is the second time I've had a dead battery problem with my 2020 Subaru Ascent. The first time was 4/2021 and they replaced the battery. The second time is today - dead battery, could not charge or jump start. Tow truck coming to take it to a Subaru dealer.”
Filed Dec 21, 2021
“Battery dead something is happening with the trunk. I think it drained the battery. This is the second time this happened”
Filed Oct 31, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 90 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 60 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports