2020 Subaru Ascent: What to check before buying

Batteries go dead on nearly new cars, often after sitting a few days or with the tailgate left open. Owners describe repeated jump starts, batteries replaced more than once, and dealers who find nothing wrong. Reports start as early as 400 miles, and most come in under 20,000. The radio often cuts out or resets before a drain, and dash lights may flash. Some cars blow the main fuse or burn a wiring harness, including while towing. One car stalled at 35 mph, and one fire report describes smoke and a burning plastic smell from the floorboard.

Windshields crack with no visible impact, either while driving at highway speed or while parked in a driveway or garage. Cracks often start at the lower edge or a corner and spread across the glass within minutes or hours. Most reports come in the first year, at well under 10,000 miles, and some owners replace the glass twice. A few describe heavy pitting and small chips that distract the driver. Dealers often decline warranty coverage, so owners pay through insurance.

Windshields crack without warning or impact, often with an audible crack while driving at 40 to 65 mph or overnight while parked. Cracks start at the lower edge, center, or near the mirror and can grow about 24 inches within days. Reported mileage spans 1,000 to 60,000, with many around 20,000 to 29,200. Dealers often blame a rock, deny warranty coverage, or refer owners to glass shops. One report describes tiny dots across the glass blocking the view.

The CVT slips, hesitates, or jerks, with RPM flares and lurches between roughly 20 and 65 mph. Some cars lose power on hills or while merging. More severe cases end with a loud noise, warning lights, EyeSight disabled, no gear engaging, and a tow. Transmissions are replaced under warranty, sometimes more than once, and symptoms can return afterward. Reported failures range from 16,000 to 50,542 miles. Owners say reprogramming often does not help. One CVT fluid leak damaged wiring and the engine computer, with a quoted repair over $9,400.

Front brakes shudder and grind, with vibration felt through the steering wheel, worst at highway speed or going downhill. Dealers diagnose warped rotors and resurface or replace rotors and pads, but the problem keeps returning. Onset is typically between 6,000 and 20,000 miles, with repeat repairs reported at 36,000 and 49,000 miles, the last costing $610 once out of warranty. Some cars go through a third set of rotors. A separate complaint describes the parking brake engaging on its own.

Problems here vary widely. One crash report describes the car surging forward in a driveway with no response from the brakes. Other reports include a PCV valve failure that destroyed the engine at highway speed, engine sludge requiring replacement at 82,000 miles, and an alternator failure that killed power steering and stalled the car in traffic. A serpentine belt shredded at 1,289 miles and caused overheating. Owners also describe a persistent gasoline smell at idle and jerking with high RPM but no acceleration.

The hood vibrates, flexes, and lifts at 50 to 65 mph or in gusty winds, and dealers call it normal. Glass is the other theme: sudden windshield cracks and a cracked sunroof with no chip, with windshield replacement plus EyeSight recalibration quoted over $1,000. Other reports include a power liftgate that locks out with an alarm until the battery is disconnected, water leaks causing mold on seats and carpets, and rust on metal window trim within months.

Front struts fail, causing rattling, clunking, or rumbling over bumps, potholes, and dirt roads, with no warning lights. Failures cluster between 43,000 and 64,000 miles, and some cars lose both front struts within a short span. One dealer quoted $1344 for a single strut assembly, and owners report a national back order on parts. A dealer cited corrosion on failed struts. One brand-new car showed front clunking from the start.

Airbags fail to deploy in serious crashes. All 4 reports involve crashes, with 5 injuries, including head injuries and whiplash. The impacts include hitting a building, a cow at 55 mph, a truck, and a multi-vehicle pileup. One crash report also describes sudden unwanted acceleration, brakes that did not stop the car, no automatic emergency braking, and a seatbelt that did not lock. Another owner does not recall any collision warning or automatic braking before impact.