Used car safety, rank #37 of 188
Subaru Ascent Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Subaru Ascent, a midsize SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Subaru Ascent has an IIHS driver death rate of 15 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize SUVs average of 24, which is 38% below the class average. That places it #37 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 76.4/100.
What the Subaru Ascent death rate means
At 15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Subaru Ascent beats the midsize SUVs average of 24 by 38%. The 95% confidence interval is 4 to 25, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 38 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Subaru Ascent. Its 95% confidence interval is 22β54. 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 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Volkswagen Atlas 2WD at a death rate of 5.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas 2WD | 2020-23 | 5 (0 to 16) | 89.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Highlander 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (1 to 13) | 87.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Volkswagen Atlas 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (0 to 16) | 87.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Kia Telluride 2WD | 2020-23 | 8 (0 to 22) | 84.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Bronco 4WD | 2021-23 | 10 (1 to 19) | 83.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Chevrolet Traverse 4WD | 2022-23 | 10 (0 to 23) | 83.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 11 (1 to 20) | 82.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4WD | 2022-23 | 11 (0 to 25) | 82.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Subaru Ascent (this page) | 2020-23 | 15 (4 to 25) | 76.4 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize SUVs: 24 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 76.4 used-car score above.
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.
4 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering equipment, power train, suspension, tires.
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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 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
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Power train: driveline, driveshaft
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge.
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Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm
Risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge.
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Tires
Risk: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. 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 2023. 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 15 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Subaru Ascent, 38% below the class average (24 for midsize SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 76.4 out of 100 and rank #37 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Subaru Ascent driver death rate?
15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 4 to 25. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Subaru Ascent died at a rate of 38 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Subaru Ascent compare with other midsize SUVs?
The midsize SUVs class averages 24 driver deaths per million; the Subaru Ascent sits at 15. Among the 9 midsize SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Volkswagen Atlas 2WD with a death rate of 5.