ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

q

PARTS MANAGER

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CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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© 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE PROGRAM BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT:

2021 MY Ascent
2021 MY Legacy 2.4L turbo
2021 MY Outback 2.4L turbo

NUMBER: WRF-21
DATE:

07/28/21

EGI Harness and ECM Replacement Voluntary Emissions Recall

INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a voluntary emissions recall for certain 2021 model
year Ascent, Legacy, and Outback vehicles equipped with a 2.4L turbo engine, which may have
damaged terminals on the engine wire harness.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
A total of 455 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this voluntary emissions recall:
Model Year

Carline

2021

Ascent

2021

Legacy 2.4L turbo

2021

Outback 2.4L turbo

Production Dates
5/18/2021-5/20/2021

Not all vehicles in the production date range listed above may be affected by this voluntary emissions
recall. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry
function on subarunet.com. This information is now available.
REASON FOR THIS VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL
The affected vehicles may have an EGI (Electronic Gas Injection) harness with a damaged connector
body which may also affect a portion of the ground connection pin. The damage was caused at
production by a tool used for testing the connector. Damage to the connector may affect the proper
operation of the #4 injector by creating a fuel lean condition. As a result, a MIL will illuminate due
to this condition and may register certain injector circuit open code (P1264) and misfire detection
code (P0304).
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 1 of 8

REMEDY REPAIR
The EGI harness and ECM will be replaced in the affected models. This voluntary emissions recall
will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Retailer Responsibility
Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be:
•

Immediately identified

•

Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair

•

Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in this bulletin

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this voluntary
emissions recall is taken into inventory or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the
repair has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail in August. Retailers will be advised
when the notification will begin.
PARTS INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being
repaired.
Model
Ascent
Outback & Legacy

All
(One-Time Use)

Part Description

Qty Required

Part #

Engine Harness

1

24020AG60A

EGI Control Unit

1

22765AP821

Engine Harness

1

24020AG73A

EGI Control Unit

1

22765AR242

Intake Manifold Gasket

2

14035AA74A

EGR Pipe Gasket

1

14738AA29A

Throttle Chamber Gasket

1

16175AA53A

Intake Duct Gasket

1

14497AA070

Intake Duct Gasket

1

14497AA080

Intercooler Gasket

1

21896AA130

EGR Pipe Gasket

1

14738AA340

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
CRITICAL: There are added revisions and warnings provided below within the service procedure.
It is IMPORTANT to read ALL the information below fully before proceeding to prevent any damage
to the engine electrical system components.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 2 of 8

CAREFULLY replace the engine wiring harness FIRST following the additional revisions below
and the procedure in the applicable Service Manual for the harness replacement: Engine > FUEL
INJECTION (FUEL SYSTEMS)(H4DOTC) > Engine Wiring Harness.
CRITICAL: NEVER INSTALL THE NEW ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS
TO THE ORIGINAL ECM. DOING SO WILL LIKELY DAMAGE THE NEW WIRE
HARNESS TERMINAL CONNECTIONS.
CAREFULLY replace the ECM. Refer to the applicable service manual for the ECM replacement:
Engine > FUEL INJECTION (FUEL INJECTION (FUEL SYSTEMS)(H4DOTC) >Engine Control
Module.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: NEVER INSTALL THE NEW ENGINE WIRING HARNESS
CONNECTIONS TO THE ORIGINAL ECM. DOING SO WILL LIKELY DAMAGE THE
NEW WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL CONNECTIONS.
NOTES:
•

Whenever reconnecting the ground cable terminal to the battery sensor, torque to 7.5Nm (5.5ft.lbs. or 66inch-lbs.) while supporting the sensor with the other hand as outlined in the applicable
Service Manual under: STARTING/CHARGING SYSTSEMS > Battery Sensor.

•

Refer to the applicable Service Manual and review: General Description > Repair Contents
> Action required before & after Battery Disconnect. Additionally, record any stored seat
position(s) before proceeding. Relearn any seat position memory after work is complete. If the
power rear gate (PRG) height has been customized, the position must also be noted and relearned.

SERVICE PROCEDURE REVISIONS:
The Subaru Service Manual does not describe the procedures shown in the photos below. The
harness can be removed with less difficulty when following the guided revisions provided below.
REV. 1)

Remove the two bolts securing the engine oil cooler pipe. DO NOT remove the water
hose. This will eliminate engine coolant loss.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 3 of 8

REV. 2)

It is not necessary to remove the A/C compressor to access the cylinder #2 fuel injector
harness connector. It can be disconnected with the A/C compressor installed.

REV. 3)

The throttle body assembly does not have to be fully removed. Remove the four
mounting bolts and disconnect the wiring harness connection (A). The throttle body
assembly can be repositioned with the pre-heater (coolant) hoses (B) attached to
allow sufficient access. Use CAUTION to not damage the throttle plate during this
procedure.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 4 of 8

REV. 4)

Remove the coolant reservoir tank to gain easy access to the connectors located in this
area.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURE INFORMATION:
•

Reassemble all removed components in the reverse order of disassembly.

•

Be sure to ONLY connect the ECM and EGI harness AFTER BOTH have been replaced.

•

When reconnecting the ground cable terminal to the battery sensor, torque to 7.5Nm (5.5ft.-lbs. or
66inch-lbs.) while supporting the sensor with the other hand as outlined in the applicable Service
Manual under: STARTING/CHARGING SYSTSEMS > Battery Sensor.

CALIFORNIA “VEHICLE EMISSION RECALL - PROOF OF CORRECTION” CERTIFICATE
The California Air Resources Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles Registration/Recall
Program requires that all emission related Recall/Campaign or Voluntary emission recall repairs be
completed before a vehicle registration is renewed. Please provide owners of vehicles registered
in the state of California a completed “Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction” certificate.
Vehicle owners should be advised to retain this certificate because the California Department of
Motor Vehicles may require they provide proof this voluntary emission recall repair has been
completed. Additional certificates are available through normal parts ordering channels using part
number MSA6P1301. Quantity 1 = 1 booklet of 50 certificates.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 5 of 8

VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL:

WRF-21

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Credit to perform this recall will be based on properly completed repair order information. Retailers
may submit claims through Subarunet.com.
Model

Description

Labor Operation
#

Labor
Time

Fail Code #

All

Engine Wiring Harness & ECM
Replacement

A180-151

2.7H

WRF-21

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRF-21; Date: 07/28/21

Page 6 of 8

This notice applies to the VIN identified in
the address section printed below

Subaru of America, Inc
PO Box 9103
Camden, NJ 08101-9877
844-373-6614
www.subaru.com

Subaru Service Program WRF-21
Voluntary Emissions Recall
August 2021

Dear Subaru Owner:
We would like to thank you for your selection of a Subaru vehicle. We take pride in our
products and are committed to your continued satisfaction.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new voluntary emissions recall for certain 2021
model year Ascent, Legacy, and Outback vehicles equipped with a 2.4L turbo engine. You
have received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these
vehicles.
REASON FOR THIS VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL
The affected vehicles may contain an Electronic Gas Injection (EGI) wire harness with a
damaged connector body, which could also affect a portion of the ground connection pin.
The damage to the connector may affect the proper operation of the number four fuel injector.
If this occurs, the check engine light will illuminate, and certain diagnostic trouble code(s) may
be stored.
REPAIR
Your Subaru retailer (dealer) will replace the EGI wire harness and the electronic control
module in your vehicle, at no cost to you.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer for an appointment to have repair
performed.

HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The actual time to perform this repair is approximately two hours and forty minutes. Your
retailer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this service visit, as it
may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time for scheduling
purposes.

CALIFORNIA REGISTERED OWNERS
The California Air Resources Board requires that emission-related campaigns be completed
prior to California’s vehicle registration renewal process; without this repair, you will not be
able to register your vehicle during your next annual registration. Upon completion of this
campaign, your California dealer will complete and provide you a “Proof of Correction
Certificate.” If required, present the certificate to the California Department of Motor Vehicles
(the “DMV”) when renewing your California registration as proof of campaign completion. If
the DMV does not request the certificate, we recommend that you keep it for your records.
In addition, the State of California requires that every vehicle must pass an emission test
(SMOG Check) every two years and before it is sold. Without the service we are providing at
no charge, your vehicle may not pass this test.
CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU?
If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please update this information online at www.subaru.
com, select ‘Customer Support,’ then select ‘Address Update’ or ‘Ownership Update’ from
the ‘Quick Links’ menu.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru retailer, you can access our website at www.subaru.com and
select ‘Find a Retailer.’
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
•

By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com, Customer Support and select ‘Contact Us’

•

By telephone: 1-844-373-6614
Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

•

By U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc.,
Attn: Customer Advocacy Department,
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877

Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary
repairs free of charge.
Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we
have taken this action in the interest of your vehicle’s proper operation. We sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause and urge you to schedule an
appointment as soon as possible to have this repair performed.
Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.

A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION