NHTSA Complaint #11526899 — 2023 SUBARU ASCENT

The brake pedal is too high for people of average height, especially women, to use properly. Our feet slip underneath the brake when using it. When our heels are on the floor, our toes barely touch the brake pedal, and going from the gas to brake pedals smoothly is impossible with our heels on the car floor. Holding our right legs up above the floor causes extreme hip pain, as well as inaccuracy when transferring between the gas and brake pedals. The fact that the brake pedal is so far forward of the gas pedal also causes inaccuracy when switching from gas to brake. My shoes have gotten caught on the brake pedal many times in the transition, costing me valuable time in depressing the brake. I contacted the Subaru dealership and they said the entire brake pedal and arm would have to be replaced and they didn’t know how to do that. I would have paid for it. I contact Subaru Corporate and they left me a voicemail but then didn’t answer any of the times I called back. I am having to get hand controls installed in order to drive safely. It’s costing thousands. Subaru needs to acknowledge this is a huge problem and change the design of its brake pedal going forward, as well as offer replacement brake pedals for those of us who already own Ascents. Please see the Subaru Ascent Forum for others’ complaints. Thank you.