Subaru Ascent CarPlay & infotainment failures: 22 owner complaints

After my husband replaced the 12V battery in my 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring ($90,000, fully paid off), Apple CarPlay stopped connecting via USB entirely. Android Auto and Bluetooth continued working fine on the same phone, cable, and port, proving the defect was isolated to Subaru's CarPlay system, not my device. I spent significant time and money troubleshooting this myself: multiple cables (including two labeled "Apple certified"), a full infotainment factory reset, and a software update attempt, none of which fixed it. The issue only resolved after I purchased yet another cable at my own expense, with zero meaningful help from Subaru. When I filed a formal complaint, I received a response with an appointment confirmation left entirely blank (no retailer, date, or time), which I was told was "intentional" so I could fill in my own details, shifting all scheduling and diagnostic responsibility back onto me. When I requested compensation for hours spent troubleshooting a defect that was never mine to fix, I was told plainly that no compensation exists. Shortly after, my key fob began requiring near-direct contact with the door and push-start button to register, despite a confirmed correct, brand-new battery, ruling out the simplest cause. This is a second unexplained electrical issue on the same vehicle in a short span. Subaru's support has been dismissive and apathetic throughout, repeatedly redirecting responsibility back to me as the consumer rather than taking ownership of manufacturer-level defects.

Public record. Verify by searching #11760953 on NHTSA's 2021 Ascent page.

Reporting a serious incident with my 2020 Subaru Ascent at 21k miles. On October 16th, a burning plastic smell and white smoke from the floorboard forced an immediate stop; I had to call the fire department for safety. The vehicle's battery has been replaced thrice, and the radio system frequently resets. Despite a Subaru recall fix in February meant to prevent such issues, the problem persists, raising major safety concerns. With 20+ years in electrical engineering, I've noted consistent electrical issues with this car. I urgently request NHTSA intervention for an immediate and thorough investigation, holding Subaru accountable for ensuring vehicle safety.

Public record. Verify by searching #11552981 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

CVT issues. Shuddering of transmission (acts like it's slipping), either on slight incline or even flat road. Delayed acceleration when needed, feels unsafe if I ever need to avoid a situation by accelerating. At least 2 occurrences when car shut off due to transmission lurching (while driving). This issue has been happening from purchase. The head unit continues to buzz, freeze, and reset itself during carplay (known issue with the software). Have been told an update is coming, but it never does. The concern is navigation disappearing when driving and not returning, making it unsafe to operate vehicle and phone at the same time. This issue has been happening from purchase.

Public record. Verify by searching #11541506 on NHTSA's 2022 Ascent page.

The radio started turning on and off repeatedly and does not work. The back door will not open using any of the buttons.

Public record. Verify by searching #11536691 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

Electrical system repeatedly malfunctions. Intermittent starting and shut-off issues, rear hatch will not properly operate, per dealer the radio was replaced, and periodic unexplained battery drain issues resulting in replacement of battery. Dash warnings are displayed for no apparent reason. When radio was replaced there were still issues and dealer said it "would take a few days for the issues to resolve." Even after battery and radio replacement periodic shutting off car and restarting is necessary for volume control and station change. Safety could be an issue if car will not start, or shut off as related in a timeline attachment. Dealer is unable to reproduce periodic/intermittent issues.

Public record. Verify by searching #11478593 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

Recently, we experienced another problem with our 2022 Subaru Ascent Limited. I am asking that this issue be diagnosed and corrected. On January 21, 2022, within about 15 seconds of starting the car, the engine shut off while still parked for no apparent reason. The car was able to be restarted, however the Multi-Function Display went blank, and the STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen displayed only the Starlink logo. I attempted a reset by depressing the “home” button, but nothing happened. Neither the radio nor any other features would function. The car was then driven several miles and shut off. Then, after restarting it, the normal touchscreen and Multi-Function Display operated correctly, including the radio. I remain concerned however that unless this issue is diagnosed and corrected, such a shutdown could occur again in the future, possibly when driving the car, which could result in a serious accident. We have had recent problems with this car involving its electrical system. The excessive battery drain caused by the power rear gate resulted in a dead battery, producing only 8 volts. (The car had to be jump-started on two separate occasions). Subaru Pacific replaced the PRG Module (per TSB 07-155-19R), and installed a new SOA821B600 Enhanced Flooded Battery (per SOA’s October 1, 2021 memorandum). We do not know how or if the recent unexpected engine shutdown was related to these events, but we expect that Subaru should be able to determine the cause of this failure and find a remedy.

Public record. Verify by searching #11448532 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

Sunday, car wouldn’t start. Even though lights and display came on, engine wouldn’t turn over until I got a jump. After car started, center console went black and all infotainment, Bluetooth and rear view camera ceased to work. Drove hour and a half on highway. Monday morning, battery completely dead. Had to jump again. Now, center screen working, but seems to be battery issue. We had similar car starting problems before and replaced battery less than a year ago February 2021!!!

Public record. Verify by searching #11444467 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

I purchased this car new, and it has less or about 20.000mile. I am using it daily. Yesterday suddenly the sound system stop playing. Neither the radio, the CD player, or the car play. Just the sound. Today, the battery died, but all the buttons will flickering and would not stop. My husband had to remove the battery cables so to stop. I also have notice in the past that the frond windows will close in a slower pace than normal. I saw here that there is a class action about this issue. Very disappointed, if this issue will not resolved I am driving my kids daily and I cannot have this happening in the middle of a road or while it is feeezing outside.

Public record. Verify by searching #11440371 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

I drove the vehicle Tuesday October 26th 2021 and the radio was on, but no sound coming from speakers. I found this odd as no changes were made to settings and dismissed this as something I would take a look at when home and not driving. The car was parked and turned off in the garage from Tuesday October 26th until Friday October 29th 2021. My husband went to run errands Friday October 29th and the car was dead- couldn't get the battery to charge with jumper cables or even put the car in neutral to have it towed. We called a tow truck Saturday morning October 30 2021 and the tow driver jumped the car to start- it started up fairly quick and was able to attach to the truck to be towed to Byers Subaru in Columbus Ohio. The technician told me the battery died as a result of leaving the keys in the car when it was not being used. I asked why the stereo speakers appeared not to work and I was told that was likely an update issue and unrelated to the battery being dead. I asked that they take a second look at the car and keep another day till Tuesday November 2nd 2021 so they did and then texted me there are no issues with the car and refused to replace the battery or address the stereo issue.

Public record. Verify by searching #11439026 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

The backing camera won’t come on when I’m baking and if there is cars it won’t beep, the apps on the screen won’t display and console screen is not operational at all not even for the radio.

Public record. Verify by searching #11436311 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

Unknown. Electrical failures including eyesight, the dealers lie about the work they do, the latest was recent - they said sludge was everywhere which causes the timing to be off and said the entire engine needed to be replaced but refused to do so. I do not trust they were honest about the spot welds, as my VIN and contract were mysteriously changed after I took delivery. Battery dies, amp dies, head unit stops functioning for months at a time. Eyesight slams on brakes at last minute. I am told it’s normal to shut up and leave. For example the last time I took it in less than 30 days ago they said they changed the filters as well. They did not. According to them they owe me a new engine. I have Starlink and documents oil is changed by Subaru yet they claimed they had no record, and it is my fault so I need to replace engine.

Public record. Verify by searching #11419729 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

VEHICLE STARTED OFF WITH THE RADIO NOT SAVING CHANNELS. IT WOULD RESET THE RADIO EVERY FEW DAYS. A MESSAGE WOULD COME ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH WOULD SAY THE CAR WILL BE RESTARTED IN A FEW HOURS. AND A LIGHT NOT WORKING. TOOK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS BATTERY. REPLACED. THEN GOT BACK. WITHIN WEEK OR SO. CAR HAD ALL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON DASHBOARD. STARTED JUMPING. EVEN DROVE BACKWARDS WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. TOOK IN AND THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSION. WITHIN THE WEEK AFTER GETTING BACK, THE CAR WAS SKIPPING GEARS. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. THEN BACK IN FOR RADIO NOT SHUTTING OFF WHEN CAR OFF AND LOCKED. WOULD RUN FOR HOURS. ALSO THE TRUNK DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. TOOK AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SWITCH. RADIO AGAIN STILL RESETTING. RADIO WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND THEN TURN BACK ON. THE REAR TRUNK WILL LOCK AND THEN NOT UNLOCK. CAR IS STILL DRIVING ROUGH. CLEARLY THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT IS BACK IN NOW.

Public record. Verify by searching #11388930 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

V1.THE BATTERY DIED WITHIN 6 MONTHS 4 TIMES :FIRST TIME AUG. 21. 2020 , THAN DEC. 03.2021 , DEC 24.2021 AND JAN.04.2021 2.THE STEREO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY SOUND CUTTING OFF FREQUENTLY. 3.BREAK PROBLEM. BEFORE 6 MONTHS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ARE STILL MAKING GRINDING UNUSUAL NOISE. EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE NO IMPROVEMENT. ACTUAL BREAK ACTION NOT CONSISTENT AND NOT RELIABLE SAVE. 4.THE AC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY - KICKS IN EVEN WHEN IN HEATING MODE. IN USING THE REMOTE START THE AC KICKS IN IMMEDIATELY AND CHANGING THE SETTINGS WILL NOT HELP. 5.THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM? INSTEAD OF BEING A SAFETY FEATURE IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM FEATURE. BECAUSE IT IS NOT RELIABLE MAKES SAFE DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT ? AND WE HAD CONSIDERED THIS SYSTEM AS A PLUS WHEN DECIDING ON SUBARU ASCENT. 6.PROBLEMS WITH TRUNK OPENING ? SOMETIMES WILL NOT WORK WITH KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE ? HAS TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. 7.OIL LEVEL SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. 8.THE VIN NUMBER WAS LISTED TO HAVE A RECALL ? BUT WHEN CHECKING IT OUT IT SHOWED 0 RECALLS. WE CONSIDER THIS VERY STRANGE. 9.AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER, WE ARE TOLD THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE ? BUT ONE OR TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEMS SHOW UP AGAIN. 10.BLUETOOTH SYSTEM KEEPS DELETING PHONES. 11.RPM GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. 12.MPG INDICATION NEVER CHANGES SHOWS ALWAYS SAME VALUE ? EVEN UNDER COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM FILING THIS CLAIM FOR MAY DAUGHTER [XXX] BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALSO THE PROBLEMS ARE ONGOING SINCE THE DATE LISTED BELOW INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Public record. Verify by searching #11388299 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. ALSO ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE RADIO- RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY BEFORE TWO INSTANCES WHEN THE RADIO DIED. AMPLIFIER HAS BEEN CHANGED IN CAR AND SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES. ONCE WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AND STEERING LOCKED.

Public record. Verify by searching #11387795 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45MPH. STEREO SYSTEM DEFECTIVE. STEREO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY

Public record. Verify by searching #11386207 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

1600 MILES AND CAR WILL NOT START, BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING/DIEING AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING.

Public record. Verify by searching #11372598 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON A TRIP, MY 2020 ASCENT SUDDENLY LOST ALL AUDIO FROM THE INFOTAINMENT AND GPS SYSTEM. THEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. NO SYSTEMS WERE LEFT ON AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SO THE CAUSE OF THE DEAD BATTERY AND THE LOSS OF AUDIO IS A MYSTERY.

Public record. Verify by searching #11362644 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

THE AUDIO FOR ALL FUNCTIONS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS WORKING, PARKED IT FOR 1.5 HOURS IN GARAGE, STARTED VEHICLE AND NO AUDIO. STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR STILL NO AUDIO. FOLLOWED MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS TO RESET THE AUDIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND STILL NO AUDIO. LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT AND IT STILL DOESN'T HAVE ANY AUDIO. TRYING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP.

Public record. Verify by searching #11361265 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE LATE MAY 2020, AND I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 7/25/20, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO SOUND AT ALL FROM THE AUDIO SYSTEM - RADIO, NAVIGATION, VOICE COMMANDS, ETC. WERE ALL MUTE. I REBOOTED THE RADIO BY HOLDING DOWN THE POWER BUTTON UNTIL IT RESTARTED, BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE, DESPITE MULTIPLE REBOOTS. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE EACH DAY ON 7/26 AND 7/27, AND THE AUDIO DID NOT COME BACK. ON 7/29/20, I PLANNED TO CALL THE DEALER TO REPORT THE ISSUE. WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS KEPT IN MY GARAGE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. AS SOON AS I TRIED TO START THE CAR, THE TAILGATE BEGAN BEEPING, AND THEN THE HEADLAMPS FLICKERED RANDOMLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL IN THE VEHICLE, AND I AM UNABLE TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CAR OR OPEN THE TAILGATE, EVEN MANUALLY. THERE WERE NO DOORS LEFT OPEN, NO LIGHTS LEFT ON - THE BATTERY SIMPLY DIED.

Public record. Verify by searching #11341879 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

BRAKES MADE LOUD NOISE EVEN WHEN DRIVING OFF THE LOT. TOLD IT WAS A NEW CAR AND IT WILL SUBSIDE. THE NOISE DID NOT SUBSIDE. IT GREW LOUDER. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO,BE CUT! ON A NEW CAR WITH UNDER 900 MILES! TOOK IT HOME AND THE NOISE WAS LESS BUT GREW LOUDER AS THE WEEK WENT ON. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO SUBARU AND THEY INDICATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS. OF COURSE, THEY DIDN'T MENTION IT WOULD TAKE OVER A WEEK AND A HALF TO GET THE PARTS. NOISE WAS WHEN BRAKING WHETHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WHEN MY CELL PHONE RINGS, THE RADIO STARTS BLASTING! I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NOT HAD TO RESOLVE BOTH THE BRAKES AND RADIO ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE, UNLESS THEY DID NOT SELL MANY ASCENTS. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT.

Public record. Verify by searching #11288929 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.

IN AM TAILGATE FOUND OPENED (BY ITSELF), BATTERY DEAD , 3 JUMP STARTS OVER 24HRS BATTERY STILL NOT RECHARGING AFTER 6 HRS CONTIN. OPERATION, NOW CARPLAY AND BLUTOOTH MICROPHONE NOT WORKING, MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE RE THIS, NO MANUAL TAILGATE OPENING, AND NO WORKING BATTERY SHUT OFF OF TAILGATE OR ITS LIGHT IN SOFTWARE

Public record. Verify by searching #11269800 on NHTSA's 2020 Ascent page.

HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL (RADIO/BLUETOOTH) ISSUES SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING POCCESSION. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES . NO RESOLVE LOOSE STEERING IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT AN APPROX.SPEED OF 65 MPH IN WINDY CONDITIONS ON NOV.3 2018 GARDEN STATE PKWY THE WIND ENCAPSULATED THE VEHICLE CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTROL. VEHICLE MOVED RELENTLESSLY SIDE TO SIDE MAKING A WHITE KNUCKLE EXPERIENCE. SIDE WINDOW LANE DEPARTURE LIGHTS WERE ALMOST ON CONSTANTLY. FELT LIKE THE WIND WAS LIFTING CAR FROM GROUND. HAD TO PULL INTO 2 REST STOPS AS STRESS OF TRYING TO CONTROL VEHICLE WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND STRESSFUL. AS FOR ELECTRONIC ISSUES DEALER REPLACED AMPLIFIERS AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS NEW RADIO/PHONE UNIT ORDERED BUT NOT INSTALLED DUE TO MY FILING LEMON LAW

Public record. Verify by searching #11171634 on NHTSA's 2019 Ascent page.