ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

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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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© 2022 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2019-2022MY Ascent
PTC Heater Ground Bolt

NUMBER: WRL-22R
DATE: 12/12/22
NHTSA: 22V-907
REVISED: 12/15/22

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2022 model year
Ascent vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK
The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)
heater may have been improperly fastened during vehicle production. This potential condition may
result in the melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components when the PTC heater is in
operation, increasing the risk of a fire.
REMEDY
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and, if
necessary, replace the ground wire harness and connector holder at no cost to the customer.
•

As a precautionary measure, it is highly recommended that owners park their vehicle away
from any garage, car port or other structure until this repair is completed.

•

Additionally, owners should never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running
until this repair is completed.

•

If an owner notices or smells melting plastic or smoke coming from the dash or driver’s
footwell area, the ignition should be placed in the “off” position and the vehicle should not be
operated. If this occurs, the owner should immediately contact Subaru’s Roadside Assistance or
the nearest Subaru retailer for assistance.

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.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

Page 1 of 20

AFFECTED VEHICLES
A total of 271,694 U.S. vehicles will be included in this recall as listed below. Not all vehicles in
the production range listed above are affected by this recall. Coverage must be confirmed by using
the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair. This information is now
available.
Model Year

Carline

Production Date Range

2019-2022

Ascent

February 23, 2018 – April 28, 2022

The VIN status for this recall will display as ‘Open-Limited Parts Available’ until the owner
notification letters are mailed, at which time the status will be updated to ‘Open.’ Repairs can begin
prior to the owner notification.
RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle
covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized
Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected
vehicles in their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil
penalties of up to $22,423 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6
and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
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 the Product Campaign Bulletin

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling
or releasing the vehicle.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Subaru is in the process of obtaining current vehicle registration data and will notify affected vehicle
owners by first class mail within 60 days. Retailers will be advised when owner notification is
scheduled.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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PART INFORMATION:
Up to two kits may be required for this procedure. The bolt kit is required on ALL vehicles. The
harness kit is required if the inspection results confirm further harness work is required.
Part Description

Kit Part Number

Qty

WRL-22 Bolt Kit

SOA635174

1

WRL-22 Harness Kit

SOA635175

1

Application
Required on ALL
vehicles
Required on
vehicles needing
further harness
work after
inspection

Ordering Method
Ordered through PRIME
Currently on HOLD. The PIC team will
release the ordered parts when contacted
& provided with a valid VIN and QMR
number

Bolt Kit (SOA635174) Components

Part Description

Qty

BOLT
(Ground Bolt)

2

Part Description

Qty

INST PNL HARN USA
(PTC Heater Ground
Wire)

1

CONNECTOR
HOLDER LH

1

Image

Harness Kit (SOA635175) Components
Image

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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REQUIRED TOOLS:
Tool Description

Application

Thread Chaser
(M6 x 1.0)

For cleaning the female thread of the ground
terminal.

Tap
(M6 x 1.0)

For repairing female thread of the ground
terminal.

Tap Holder

To be used with tap.

Image

QMR INFORMATION:
The following are required when a harness kit (SOA635175) repair is necessary (arcing or melting
found at the ground point):
1. From (the release date of this bulletin) through 12/31/2022, there is a QMR submission
requirement should a repair require the harness kit (SOA635175).
•

A TechShare QMR must be issued including photo(s) clearly showing the melting or
arcing condition found at the ground point necessitating the repair.

•

Include the VOR parts order number for the related harness kit (SOA635175) in the QMR
comments. This will be used to prioritize release of parts as they become available.

2. ALL claim submissions for repairs requiring a harness kit (SOA635175) will require
attachment of photos to the claim submission documenting the condition found requiring a
harness kit repair.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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COMPONENT DESCRIPTION/CONFIGURATION:
Diagram 1

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Diagram 2

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Diagram 3

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Service Procedure / Flowchart:

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SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.

STEP 1: 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, that position must also be noted and relearned.

STEP 2: CAREFULLY disconnect the ground
terminal from the battery sensor.

STEP 3: Remove the left rear side sill cover on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.

STEP 4: Remove the left front side sill cover from
the driver’s side of the vehicle.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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STEP 5: Disconnect all electrical connections from
the connector holder.

STEP 6: Remove the two heater ground bolts.

STEP 7: Release the connector holder cover mounting clip security tabs.
CAUTION: To prevent any damage, DO NOT attempt to remove the connector holder
WITHOUT releasing the security tabs first.

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STEP 8: Move the connector holder aside to allow room for workspace.

STEP 9: Thread the thread chaser into both of the ground bolt holes. Use a torque wrench to turn
the thread chaser. If the turning torque is 7Nm or higher, clean the threads with a tap and recheck the
turning torque. Once the turning torque is less than 7Nm, continue to the next STEP.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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STEP 10: Using a small flat head screwdriver, release the holding claw on the back of the connector
holder. With the claw released, remove the PTC heater ground terminal from the connector holder.

STEP 11: CAREFULLY inspect the PTC heater ground terminal and peripheral parts for any
damage. See the example images of overheat damage below.

IMPORTANT: If any damage is found, a QMR will be required with detailed photos of the damage
attached and the repair parts order information noted in the comments section.
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STEP 12: Has any damage been found with the PTC heater ground terminal and/or the peripheral
parts?
YES – Proceed to STEP 13.
NO – Proceed to STEPS 25, 26, & 27. Then proceed to STEP 33.

STEP 13: Pull the front left side cover in
the horizontal direction to release the
holding claws. Once released remove the
cover.

STEP 14: CAREFULLY pull the trim panel
toward the rear of the vehicle to release the
mounting claws. Once released, remove the
panel.

STEP 15: Remove the mounting screw
and pull the lower cover toward the rear of
the vehicle to release the mounting clips.
Once released, disconnect all electrical
connections and remove the panel.

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STEP 16: Disconnect the data link connector.
Disconnect the knee airbag module connector.
CAREFULLY remove the knee airbag
module.

STEP 17: Remove the mounting screw.
Release the mounting claws. Remove the duct
by pulling in the direction of the left front door.

STEP 18: Disconnect the electrical connections at the front of the fuse box. Remove the mounting
nuts and screw. Move the fuse box toward the floor to allow for workspace.

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STEP 19: Using needle nose pliers, pinch the claw of the connector holder and remove the ground
terminal.

STEP 20: Release the locking tab using a
flathead screwdriver. Disconnect all electrical
connections and remove the connector holder.

STEP 21: Install the new connector holder
supplied in harness kit (SOA635175).
Connect all the electrical connections in the
reverse order of disassembly. Secure the
connector holder to the vehicle body with the
mounting clip.

CAUTION: DO NOT install the mounting
bolts at this time.

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STEP 22: Disconnect the original ground
wire connection. Connect the new ground
harness supplied in the harness kit
(SOA635175).
NOTE: The original ground wire will
remain in place. The ends will be trimmed
in later STEPS.

STEP 23: Route the new ground wire along the instrument panel harness as shown below.

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STEP 24: Align and attach the ground
terminal of the new ground wire to the
connector holder.

STEP 25: Install the new ground bolts and
torque to 13Nm.
IMPORTANT: CONFIRM bolts are torqued
to 13Nm.

STEP 26: Confirm there is no movement with the ground terminal. Check for any loose contact by
attempting to move the terminal with your fingers in an up/down direction. There is no need to pull
the ground cable when checking for loose contact.
CAUTION: Any loose connection could cause a possible thermal event.

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STEP 27: Connect all the previously removed
connectors to the connector holder.
NOTE: If performing bolt replacement ONLY,
proceed to STEP 33.

STEP 28: Using cable ties, secure the new ground wire at the six locations indicated in the images
below. The original harness wire strap locations can be used as reference. Confirm the tension of the
ground wire is evenly distributed.
NOTE: 12-inch wire straps are recommended for the best results.

Cable Ties

CAUTION: Always trim the edges of the cable ties to prevent any interference with other parts.

STEP 29: Using side cutting pliers,
CAREFULLY cut the ORIGINAL ground
wire and remove the terminal.

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STEP 30: Seal the cut end of the original
ground wire with electrical insulation tape. The
wire can then be taped to the new ground wire.

STEP 31: Cut the opposite end of the
ORIGINAL ground wire and remove the
connector.

STEP 32: Seal the cut end of the original
ground wire with electrical insulation tape. The
wire can then be taped to the new ground wire.

STEP 33: Reinstall all removed parts in the reverse order of disassembly.
IMPORTANT: 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.
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SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL:
Type or print the necessary information on a Campaign Identification Label. The completed label
should be attached to the vehicle’s upper radiator support. Additional labels are available through
normal parts ordering channels. The part number is MSA6P1302, which comes as one sheet of 20
labels.

WRL-22

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.
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

Inspect & Chase and/or Tap Threads

A125-151

0.5

Inspect, Chase & or Tap, Install Harness*

A125-152

0.8

Fail Code
WRL-22

*A QMR identification number must be noted on the repair order as this information is required for
entry in the Miscellaneous Detail field during claim submission.

*Up to $1.00 can be claimed in sublet for wire straps and insulation tape used during this repair.
*Clear photos of the damage MUST be included as an attachment when submitting claims. Failure to
include a photo will affect claim processing and payment.

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.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 12/15/22

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