Problems · by component

2019 Subaru Ascent service brakes problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Ascent cite service brakes, 6% of all 443 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
26
6% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Replaced rear brakes and rotors in August 2025. By may 2026 they had worn down to the metal and needed replaced again. Only had 13000 miles on them. After multiple diagnostics testing was done, no issues were found with the brake system. Monitoring new pads and rotors. Still wearing rapidly but even. After only 6 weeks, they have reached about half of their life.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2026Service brakesODI 11747480
“STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES FOR AN APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE EYE SIGHT TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. TPMS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS OCCURED 2 TIMES BEFORE. THE FIX FOR THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WAS TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, Lane departureODI 11636557
“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the hood was flapping up and down. The contact was concerned that the hood might release and crash into the front windshield. The brake pedal was depressed but was slow to respond. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the interior lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer for routine maintenance, and the brake fluid and coolant were not topped off. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2025Latches/locks/linkages, Tires, Service brakesODI 11633719
“My wife was pulling into a parking spot at a Safeway in Seattle. The car, instead of stopping, sped up when she stepped on the brakes, slamming into a brick wall. She shifted into reverse, and the car sped backwards, then shifted to drive, and sped forward and slammed into a wall again. She shifted to park and pulled on the parking brake. Then, after 5 minutes with the car off, she drove home without incident and parked, although the car was severely damaged.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2022Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11458223
“Front brakes squealing at low speed stops. This was confirmed at the dealership when pulling into the service department. And, severe vibration and shuttering in the steering wheel and break pedal when applying brakes at high speeds. This could not be replicated at the dealership. Dealership inspected front brakes and 're surfaced front rotors twice during same visit. Same symptoms still occur. No visual early warning signs are or were present.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2022Service brakesODI 11449448
“The parking/emergency brake lever was accidently activated while traveling at highway speed of 70mph. The lever is in a BAD location and close to where cell phone is charged, cup holders are and transmission shift lever. Cell phone charge cable caught on lever and LOCKED up rear brakes at 70MPH. Almost resulted in loss of life and crash!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2021Service brakes, Parking brakeODI 11417718

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.