2024 Subaru Ascent

I am submitting this complaint regarding the original-equipment Falken ZIEX ZE001 A/S 245/50R20 tires installed on two separate 2024 Subaru Ascents owned by my family. The vehicles were purchased approximately one month apart and are operated under similar New England driving conditions. Both vehicles were equipped with identical factory-installed Falken tires. Beginning at relatively low mileage, both vehicles exhibited substantially similar wet-weather traction concerns, including hydroplaning tendencies and reduced traction during rain. As tread depth decreased, traction in snow, slush, and icy conditions also deteriorated significantly. Both vehicles experienced loss-of-traction events during winter driving conditions, including incidents in which the vehicles slid off the roadway. The concerns were reported to Falken Tire and Subaru of America. Falken advised that the tires were manufactured to Subaru's original-equipment specifications and directed me to Subaru regarding my concerns. One of the vehicles ultimately received replacement tires through a Subaru retailer. The original Falken tires were replaced with General AltiMAX RT45 tires. Following replacement, the concerns were improved. The second vehicle remains equipped with the original Falken tires. At approximately 13,000 miles, the tires measure approximately between 2&3/32 inch tread depth and continue to exhibit the same traction concerns. Because two separate vehicles equipped with the same original-equipment tires have exhibited substantially similar wet-weather and winter-weather traction issues, and because replacement of the tires corrected the concern on one vehicle, I believe this matter warrants review from a vehicle safety perspective.

NHTSA ID

11744250

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

While pulling up to a drive thru window the vehicle shuddered and the engine shut off. I lost all power steering and had to come to a stop, shift into park, then restart the engine. No check engine lights or warnings illuminated. There were no status messages to indicate what caused it to shut off. Also the driver side mirror shakes a lot, just like all the other reports say.

NHTSA ID

11740740

Incident

May 28, 2026

I am a current lessee of a 2024 Subaru Ascent. I leased this vehicle starting July 27, 2024. My lease ends on July 27, 2027. I live 60 miles away from the dealership and only did a test drive around town. The minute I got on the freeway after leaving the dealership the night I leased the vehicle, I noticed the drivers side mirror heavily vibrated and I remember thinking how strange it was to have the headlights from the cars behind me look so shaky in the mirror. I took the car to the service department on August 9, 2024 where they logged a "driveability diagnostic" and "MPI." My reason for that appointment was the side mirror vibrations. It is bad during the day, but not as noticeable and very distracting when driving at night. I was told by the service member that they were "aware" of this issue and had seen it "a few other times." They "fixed" it but the vibrations continue to this day. I'm filing this complaint now as I have become aware of a class action lawsuit against Subaru for this very issue and I want to document my vehicle as one that was affected and ignored.

NHTSA ID

11740418

Incident

Jul 27, 2024

While cruising on a 2-lane road or a freeway, the vehicle will cross over the adjacent line, either left or right. This generally happens between 50 to 75 mph. The event happens either when cruise control is on or off. Wind is not necessarily the problem. The solution requires one to take the necessary immediate steering correction. At times, the departure from the lanes may repeat. This may be a temporary correction. This may create a head-on collision if not immediately correctly manually. VERY DISTURBING!

NHTSA ID

11738307

Incident

May 15, 2026

On 9-May, 2026, the vehicle was driven during the morning with no warning lights or indication of component failure. Vehicle was parked on the owner's driveway at approximately 13:00. Approximately 15:40 I started the Ascent’s engine, let it idle for about 60 seconds, buckled up and scanned dashboard and rearview mirror. No warning lights or any fault indication. Approximately 15:42, I put the vehicle in reverse and released the brake Approximately 15:42:30 the vehicle exited the driveway Approximately 15:43 there was a shudder on [XXX] (heading north); the dash lit up with multiple warning lights; the check engine warning illuminated and the ATOIL Temp warning light engaged. At this time, the vehicle rolled down a hill, un-commanded, and only with repeated pumping of the brake did the vehicle stop. Approximately 15:49 I was able to park the vehicle, engaging the hazard flashers and exited the vehicle. While no one was injured in this instance, had this happened on a highway there would have been insurance losses and potential injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11736826

Incident

May 9, 2026

The hood acts like it is going to come loose whenever I : 1> Meet a semi-truck on a two lane road. 2> If following a truck on interstate. 3> Driving when windy. The flex in hood is very unnerving for fear it is going to blow off when in traffic. The body shop has adjusted latch today but did not correct the issue.

NHTSA ID

11727976

Incident

Mar 30, 2026

Uncommanded maximum braking with simultaneous high-voltage and low-voltage shutdown. Vehicle is not safe in Florida with puddles or any types of ongoing obstructions vehicle shuts down in the middle of traffic if it perceives you do not match Google maps

NHTSA ID

11702898

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

My 2024 Subaru Ascent developed a recurring clunk/thump noise from the steering system during low-speed turning (10–15 mph) and when turning the wheel at a stop. The noise was present daily and worsened over time. I took the vehicle to two Subaru dealerships. Sterling Subaru dismissed the steering noise completely and stated they could not duplicate it. Dulles Subaru also initially dismissed the issue. Only when I returned to pick up the vehicle and insisted on demonstrating the noise did their technician acknowledge it. They compared my vehicle to another Ascent on the lot and confirmed the noise was abnormal. Dulles then replaced the steering gear box assembly (steering rack) under warranty. This confirms there was a mechanical defect in the steering system. Before this repair, I also reported excessive inner-edge wear on both front tires. The technician documented “excessive wear on both front inner tires” and recommended replacing all four tires and performing an alignment. Inner-edge wear on both front tires is not caused by lack of rotation—it is consistent with misalignment or steering geometry deviation, which matches the confirmed steering defect. Subaru America has refused to replace the damaged tires even though the tire manufacturer (Falken) stated in writing that irregular wear caused by a mechanical defect is the vehicle manufacturer’s responsibility. Safety concern: A defective steering rack caused abnormal steering behavior and front-end geometry issues, which led to rapid inner-edge tire wear. If unnoticed, this can result in loss of steering control or a tire failure at highway speeds. Both dealerships initially dismissing the issue is also concerning. I am filing this report so NHTSA can track potential steering-related defects and resulting tire safety issues on the 2024 Subaru Ascent. I can provide service records, photos, and Subaru correspondence upon request.

NHTSA ID

11699279

Incident

Oct 7, 2025

WRH-26 Certification Label Non-Compliance Recall- Parts and SSLP Process Updates.

This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for owner contact and a vehicle disclosure form.

This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for customers.

This announcement provides information on WRH-26 affected CPO and Used Vehicle Inventory.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a non-compliance recall for certain 2026 model yearCrosstrek Hybrid vehicles, 2025-2026 model year Forester & Forester Hybrid vehicles, and 2019- 2026 Ascent vehicles due to incorrect information listed on the certification label. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

This announcement provides an update for retailer inventory affected by the WRH-26 non-compliance recall.