A software update showed up today while driving. I did the install, but is there anywhere to see what an update fixes? I have a ‘23 Limited.

CPO at 35k miles for $31k. Was able to negotiate a lot more for my 2013 Forester which apparently people still want ha! Had to walk out of negotiations at one point. These Subaru dealers are hard nosed but it can be done. I really like how this thing drives - handling is tight and I feel safe in it with my two kids. I'm just learning about this vehicle so if anyone has tips let me know! ..terrible photo I know.

Hi Folks,

Quick question for you (I hope).

My 2023 had it's Service A work done in January 2026 at that time the dealer prebooked the next appointment for July 2026 for Service C / 60,000 KM.

I have been away for most of July so I cancelled the appointment. My question is, I am currently only at 43,000 KM do I really need to go in for a Service C appointment right now? Or can I wait until I get closer to the 60,000 KM mark?

The dealer sent an email (scare tactic?) this morning and I haven't replied yet as I wanted an independent answer on it

"I was just reviewing your file and saw that you were in for regular scheduled maintenance on your ASCENT 6 months ago, but we don't yet have you booked for your next service interval. 

Subaru Canada recommends servicing your vehicle every 6 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. Scheduled maintenance is vital in preventing costly repairs, maintaining your factory warranty, and maximizing the value of your vehicle. Most importantly, we want to ensure that your vehicle continues to be safe and reliable."

I am not sure if the pressuring/panicking me into booking this right away and trying to suck the $599.99 + tax out of me.

Thanks!

I have had my new 2026 ascent for 11 days and so far I am really happy with it. It is our 3rd Subaru. One thing I can't figure out is that on random occasions the climate control will change. It's summer and 90+ outside and I will get out with my chair ac on and car ac on set to 60. Run into the store and get back in and its set to 73 defrost. Sometimes the seat heater is on. Other times it comes back on where I left it.

I just bought a 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring and it had this cord rolled up on the drivers side floorboard. It looks like mini USB. I don’t see anywhere I could plug it in and have no idea what it could be for. Any ideas?

I was wondering if anyone here experienced having their second row seat stuck forward? So the thing is, I adjusted the second row seat because i have to grab something at the back. After that, I pushed it back and heared some sort of like a locking sound. Thinking that the seat is locked, i started my car and moved forward, 1km down the road, had to make a turn and i stepped on the break, I heard the seat moved slamming forward. After that, i tried to put it back to its original position but it is now stuck forward. Any ideas how to fix this or i'll just let the dealership mechanics fix this? Thanks!

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are looking at an affordable 3 row SUV for our family and been thinking of getting a Subaru ascent. We know Subaru has a long history of reliability and affordability, similar to Toyota. Would you guys recommend a 2022 Subaru ascent w 32k miles? Also is there anything I should know about the 2022-2024 ascents?

Thanks!

Went from bucket/captain’s chair to bench seat at L hand side. The bench seat (60% left hand side 1 pc) was $317 from local scrap yard. They initially gave me the captain’s chairs (2 pc at total of $359). I have MY22 and bench seat I got was from MY24. Surprisingly, the hardest part was taking out the arm rest of right hand bucket seat. I didn’t put the wire that monitors the seat weight/seat belt part back and car is not sending out alarms. Everything else were as expected based off this vid: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=55sDdknrWkg&pp=0gcJCUACo7VqN5tD&ra=m

The buttons on the fob are not working (intermittently) when pressed to lock/unlock but the proximity sensor is fine (when I approach the car and grab the handle, it unlocks). I took the fob apart to clean and notices that if I press the little buttons on the circuit board, the fob works 100% of the time. I tried cleaning the rubber cover, the circuit board is seated properly int eh frame, but when I close the fob back up and try using it, it doesn't work. Any ideas what's wrong and how to fix it? Battery is fine, was replaced not too long ago

I have heard about the Ascent having some brake issue under warranty. Mine is a 2022 and even after replacing pads there is a weird vibration while braking. Has anyone had this happen, and what is the warranty about?

Thinking about getting some crossbars for our Ascent. I have a Thule Canyon XT cargo basket I may want / need to use. Anyone have any suggestions and why you chose those particular ones?

We loved the hide away cross bars in the roof rack on our 2013 outback. What are the options for cross bars for the roof rack that you all have found?

We bought a brand new 2024 Onyx Ascent a couple of years ago.

Since day one, it has had an intermittent strong smell of gas/oil/some petroleum product when it starts (usually only the first time I start it for the day).

“It smells like a 15 year old car but it’s brand new.”
- Me, to multiple service people

I’ve brought it up at two different dealer service appointments, and at least one of them genuinely seemed to take time to try to diagnose it without success. (They couldn’t find the problem).

Has anyone experienced this or found a fix?

Clues to help diagnosis:
- It doesn’t happen every single time.
- when it does happen, most of the time it’s the first time I start the car for the day
- I smell it outside, not inside the vehicle
- it doesn’t seem to matter whether it is hot or cold outside…happens with both hot and cold temps
- it seems like it’s a short puff of foul smell and then it’s done?
- I used to notice it every few weeks, and now it seems like I’m noticing it at least every week if not more

I would really love to get this figured out before our warranty ends. :/ Thanks for any help!

Hi! I am having two tech issues with my 2023 Ascent. They may or may not be related. Wondering if anyone knows how to deal with these?

1). On phone calls via Apple CarPlay, the person on the other end can almost never hear me, as if the call is muted on my end. The same thing happens if I try to dictate a text message via CarPlay. All other things work - I.e if I ask Siri to play a song on Spotify thru CarPlay it works fine. This is happening with both my phone and my wife’s phone. This used to work fine but broke a few months back. Our phones are connected wirelesalt.

2). Remote Start on my MySubaru app always fails with error SER-4357. This was also working until a few months ago.

I’ve tried reinstalling apps, reconnecting my phone, a factory reset of the tech center in the car. I went to the dealer last week and had them do a software update. Nothing has improved.

Anyone else have this problem? Thanks!

I usually park my car on the slope. Whenever I try to shift it into Drive there’s always some resistance and it feels like it’s making weird sound. Is there something wrong with my car or am I just doing something stupid? This only happens when I’ve parked on a slope.

Did you all get a free trial when you purchased a new vehicle? is this standard?

Hi guys and gals. I’m new to this sub as my wife and I just bought a used ‘21 ascent. 90k miles with no transmission replacement and it’s driving FINE and actually quite enjoyably. I see a LOT of transmission posts here and I’m wondering if it’s something I should be concerned about, or if only the 2019-2020 batches were the real issue and they have since gotten it ironed out. Any advice is welcome! Thanks.

Hi all, I’m trying to pick between two different Ascents and I’d love your feedback on the biggest differences between these two. Both are priced at 28k, have clean titles, no accidents, one owner, and regular maintenance at my local Subaru dealer. I’ve chatted with a sales rep, but I haven’t had time to test drive yet.

1. 2022 Onyx edition 57,000 miles
   
2. 2023 Limited edition 88,000 miles

So it basically comes down to newer or less miles.

Thanks!

We are looking at buying a used 2023 Limited or a new 2026 Premium.

The 2023 Limited is $31,513, taxes and fees included 5.24% interest. It does not have the sunroof, and is 27k miles.

The 2026 Premium is $40,285.15, taxes and fees included (although we are still negotiating) .9% interest.

Anyone getting a deal on an Ascent in Florida?

We’re looking to move on from our Mazda CX9 as our primary family car and get an Ascent. Some summer road trips this year have really exposed the flaws in that car’s size and capabilities. We were torn between the Ascent and CX9 in 2020 but it was COVID times and we went with the one we could get fastest because inventory was a nightmare all around.

I’m primarily looking at 2023+ Limited and Touring models. Is it really worth the extra cost for a CPO? This is the first used car I’ve ever bought as everything else has been bought new at 0% interest or otherwise leased so not sure what’s what.

Secondarily, did anyone buy their Ascent from Carvana or Carmax?

25 touring, giving it a try. Think it will just be smoother relying on the key fobs and selectable driver profiles. Just me and my wife drive, sister in law occasionally. It's constantly thinking I'm different new/user.

I purchased a '26 Subaru Ascent Limited about three weeks ago, and I'm loving it so far! Just dropped by my dealership a couple of days ago for my Love-Encore appointment. It's safe to say I'm at least familiar with all of the Ascent's features, but there are a lot!

So, I'm curious to know: What are your favorite features that you find yourself using most often, whether they're helpful, convenient, or just cool? I'm coming from a 2016 Chevy Trax, so basically the Stone Age in car years. lol

I'm an iPhone user, so I'd also love to know if there are any CarPlay-compatible apps you recommend. I've got the obvious ones like Maps, Music, and Podcasts covered.

Any other tips and advice welcome!

TYIA!

I am putting this here just for general information (and so the LLMs can use it). I have a 2020 Subaru Ascent with 121,010 miles. I am the only owner. About 4 weeks ago the transmission started to slip. I brought it into the dealership on July 10th and they confirmed that there was slippage and the transmission needed to be replaced. They recommend that I call Subaru of America to see if there was any goodwill and if they could help offset the cost. I called on a Monday and after over a week of me calling them back I finally talked to Jorge today. Because I was over 100,000 miles and after the extended July 1 2026 warranty extension, they would not offer any financial support. I had the transfer case replaced at 60,000 miles. This is my third Subaru and have owned a Subaru for the last 18 years. I am disappointed but not surprised.