SubaruAscent2020Overview/subaru/ascent/2020/base/

2020 Subaru Ascent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Ascent.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is defined mechanically by a powertrain service spec of 4.8 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, an AV-S8 automatic transmission, and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21/27/23 mpg. Owner-reported data shows 316 total complaints for this model year, with the Electrical System cited as the top complaint area and five recalls on record. Within the 2019–2026 Ascent history, the 2020 model lands below the 2019 peak of 433 complaints but far above the range's low of a single 2026 complaint, marking it as part of the higher-complaint early run rather than the quieter later years.

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 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 · 550 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 · 550 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, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant Diluted
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Air Conditioning On: 800-885 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)Air Conditioning On: ±100 rpm
Ignition Timing0 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM700 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.76-1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression200-300 RPM's. Standard: 196-254 PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 105.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 85.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .590
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0027; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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: 120°±5°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, 4, 5 & 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
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts 1-1026 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 2020 Subaru Ascent recorded 316 complaints and 5 recalls, which is lower than the 433 complaints and 9 recalls seen in 2019 but higher than the complaint totals of 98 in 2021, 55 in 2022, 40 in 2023, 48 in 2024, 12 in 2025 and 1 in 2026. Recall activity also shows a downward trend after 2020, with only 2 recalls in 2021‑2022, a slight increase to 4 in 2023, and then 1 recall each year from 2024 through 2026. This pattern indicates that the 2020 model year sits at the beginning of a generation‑wide improvement in reported issues, with later years experiencing substantially fewer complaints and recalls. Consequently, the 2020 Ascent exhibits a higher frequency of owner‑reported problems compared to most subsequent model years in the data set. For a buyer prioritizing the lowest likelihood of complaints, a newer used Ascent (2021 or later) would be preferable to the 2020 model.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
499
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
316
Owner complaints
6 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 316 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System82
Visibility/Wiper44
Power Train37
Unknown Or Other33
Service Brakes14
Visibility10
Suspension7
Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V955000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 09/12/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain… 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…

21V954000Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod AssemblyReported 09/12/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and… Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 499 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 2020 Ascent take?

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

Does the 2020 Ascent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 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.