Used car safety, rank #18 of 181
Subaru Ascent Safety Rating (2019-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2019-20 Subaru Ascent, a midsize SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
Honorable MentionThe 2019-20 Subaru Ascent has an IIHS driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize SUVs average of 24.9, which is 76% below the class average. That places it #18 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 88.1/100, earning our Honorable Mention designation, and it typically sells used for $22,000 to $32,000.
What the Subaru Ascent death rate means
At 6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Subaru Ascent beats the midsize SUVs average of 24.9 by 76%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 16, so even the pessimistic end of the range is no worse than the class average.
The other-driver death rate of 16 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Subaru Ascent. It is higher than the Subaru Ascent's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest midsize SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Subaru Ascent highlighted. It ranks 5 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Nissan Pathfinder 2WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder 2WD | 2018-20 | 0 (0 to 22) | 93.2 | 3.5/5 | $16,000 to $26,000 |
| Nissan Murano 2WD | 2018-20 | 4 (0 to 12) | 90.8 | 3.5/5 | $16,000 to $25,000 |
| Chevrolet Traverse 4WD | 2018-20 | 6 (0 to 13) | 88.1 | 3.0/5 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
| Ford Edge 4WD | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 15) | 88.1 | 3.5/5 | $17,000 to $28,000 |
| Subaru Ascent (this page) | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 16) | 88.1 | n/a | $22,000 to $32,000 |
| Honda Pilot 2WD | 2019-20 | 7 (0 to 20) | 84.2 | 3.5/5 | $20,000 to $32,000 |
| GMC Acadia 2WD | 2017-20 | 10 (2 to 19) | 81.9 | 3.0/5 | n/a |
| GMC Acadia 4WD | 2017-20 | 11 (3 to 20) | 81.1 | 3.0/5 | n/a |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD | 2017-20 | 12 (6 to 17) | 80.0 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize SUVs: 24.9 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Subaru Ascent
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Subaru Ascent we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Subaru Ascent | TSP+ | 93.1 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 88.1 used-car score above.
Reliability and cost of ownership
Used price: $22,000 to $32,000
Typical asking prices for 2019-20 Subaru Ascent listings. For a model with a death rate of 6, that buys more real-world protection per dollar than most alternatives in the midsize SUVs class.
Safety recalls for the Subaru Ascent
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
Park outside
1 campaign tells owners to park away from buildings and other vehicles, usually a fire risk. Check the VIN before driving it. On a car this age the repair may still be outstanding.
5 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering equipment, electrical system, power train, steering, fuel system, gasoline.
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Equipment: other, labels
Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
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Electrical system: wiring, interior/under dash Park outside
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge.
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Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
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Steering: linkages, tie rod assembly
Risk: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge.
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Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Subaru Ascent: Common Questions
Is the Subaru Ascent a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years for the 2019-20 Subaru Ascent, 76% below the class average (24.9 for midsize SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 88.1 out of 100 and rank #18 of 181 used vehicles, with a Honorable Mention designation.
What is the Subaru Ascent driver death rate?
6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 16. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Subaru Ascent died at a rate of 16 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2019-20 models.
How does the Subaru Ascent compare with other midsize SUVs?
The midsize SUVs class averages 24.9 driver deaths per million; the Subaru Ascent sits at 6. Among the 9 midsize SUVs compared above it ranks 5 by safety score; the top of that group is the Nissan Pathfinder 2WD with a death rate of 0.