SubaruAscent2022Overview/subaru/ascent/2022/base/

2022 Subaru Ascent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Ascent.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2022 Subaru Ascent utilizes an Automatic (AV-S8) transmission and relies on 4.8 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil to deliver an EPA-estimated 21 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Within the model's complaint history spanning 2019 to 2026, this model year represents a much more stable chapter, logging just 55 total owner complaints and 2 recalls—a stark contrast to the 432 complaints that marked the 2019 model year. Although the Power Train remains the top complaint area for the 2022 iteration, the steep decline in overall issues positions it as a substantially more reliable choice in the vehicle's production lineage.

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 · 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
2023Onyx Edition Limited 2.4L Turbo F-46.80 sec15.40 sec260 hpAWD
2023Touring 2.4L Turbo F-47.10 sec15.60 sec260 hpAWD
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

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, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Fluid
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7 qt
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts47.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4

Battery & A/C

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

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 Torque6.4
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.059
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: 0.59

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
Maximum Rotor Runout — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install Lug Nuts88.5 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1All Bolts in order13 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90-95°7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all Bolts 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
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Attach Cylinder Head Bank Side 1 and Bank Side 2 together., Step 226 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 2022 Subaru Ascent sits in the middle of a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls from the generation’s 2019 peak (432 complaints, 9 recalls) to the much lower figures of later years. With 55 complaints and 2 recalls, the 2022 model is notably improved over the 2019 and 2020 years, and its complaint count is slightly higher than the 2023 model (40 complaints) but lower than 2024 (48). The top complaint areas for 2022 are powertrain (9), service brakes (8), and visibility/wiper (7), though the data does not specify root causes for these issues. The recall count of 2 is the same as 2021 and lower than 2023’s 4, indicating that while early-year problems have been addressed, later years may have introduced new recall actions. Overall, the 2022 represents a solid, mid-generation point with fewer reported issues than the first two model years, making it a reasonable used buy if you prioritize lower complaint numbers over the even lower figures of 2023 and beyond.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
288
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
55
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 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 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Service Brakes8
Visibility/Wiper7
Engine5
Air Bags2
Power Train,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Unknown Or Other2
Steering,Power Train,Engine1

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 288 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 2022 Ascent take?

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

Does the 2022 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.