2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Subaru Ascent
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2023 Ford Explorer | 2023 Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 102 | 41 |
| Recall campaigns | 15 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 157 | 270 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 22 |
| Median reported mileage | 17,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 | 3 |
| Suspension | 13 | 1 |
| Power Train | 11 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 9 |
| Engine | 10 | 3 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 7 |
| Structure | 9 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 0 |
| Stalling | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 0 |
2023 Ford Explorer
2023 Subaru Ascent
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Subaru Ascent years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.