SubaruAscent2021Overview/subaru/ascent/2021/base/

2021 Subaru Ascent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Ascent.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2021 Subaru Ascent pairs an engine requiring 4.8 quarts of 0W-20 oil with an automatic (AV-S8) transmission to earn EPA ratings of 21/27/23 mpg. Across the 2019–2026 complaint history, this model year accumulated 98 owner complaints and 2 recalls—substantially below the 432 complaints recorded for 2019 yet far above the single complaint logged for 2026—with Power Train remaining the top complaint category. That positioning places the 2021 Ascent between the model’s launch-era peak in reported issues and the later years of minimal complaints, meaning it carries less of the earliest ownership friction while still showing enough powertrain volume to separate it from the most recent, low-complaint end of the range.

Model year2025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 530 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 530 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18 105HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height76 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4420 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ascent of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2019 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-46.50 sec15.10 sec260 hpAWD
2019Limited 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Limited 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.20 sec260 hpAWD
2019Premium 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-46.90 sec15.50 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.10 sec15.60 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.30 sec15.80 sec260 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.30 sec15.80 sec260 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Subaru Extra MT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru High Torque CVT Oil
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSubaru Extra MT
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts47.9 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugRear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 842.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)142.5 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.020-0.024 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.76-1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance530 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2.
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Bolts 3, 2 & 1: Loosen., Step 3: Bolts 1-3: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 8, 6 & 4: Loosen., Step 5: Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: Bolts 7, 9 & 5: Loosen., Step 7: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.013 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90-95°89 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 115-125°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°21 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent sits at a transition point in this generation's federal record, marking a sharp improvement from the heavy early-year volume seen in 2019 and 2020. Complaints decline steeply across the generation's lifespan—from 432 in 2019 and 316 in 2020 down to 98 in 2021, then continuing to fall to 55 (2022), 40 (2023), 48 (2024), and just 12 (2025)—suggesting Subaru addressed the most acute early-model issues by the time the 2021 model was assembled. The 2021 year also carries only 2 recalls (down from 9 in 2019 and 5 in 2020) and 353 TSBs, placing it in a notably quieter mid-generation band before the recall count briefly ticks back up to 4 in 2023. Among 2021 complaints specifically, the most frequently cited areas are Power Train (14), Visibility/Wiper (13), and Electrical System (12), with 3 crash-related and 1 fire-related filings, though the data does not specify root causes behind any of these categories. The concrete takeaway: the 2021 Ascent is a defensible used buy within its generation, but a buyer should verify completion of its 2 outstanding recalls and weigh that the lower-complaint 2022–2024 vintages are now within reach on the used market.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
353
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
98
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 98 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train14
Visibility/Wiper13
Electrical System12
Unknown Or Other6
Service Brakes6
Engine4
Structure4
Lane Departure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V907000Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashReported 08/12/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened… 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…

26V436000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 07/07/2026

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 353 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
02-196-262026-06-22EngineThis bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-151-24R2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ascent. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Ascent take?

4.8 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Ascent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Ascent get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.