Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: December 13, 2022
UPDATE Safety Recall: WRL-22 PTC Heater Ground Bolt
Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions
For detailed service, parts, and claim instructions, please refer to the WRL-22 Product Campaign Bulletin
which is now available on STIS.
WRL-22 Parts Supply Plan
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 immediately,
and prior to the owner notification. Listed below are the two parts kits for this recall:
SOA635174 – WRL-22 Bolt Kit
The bolt kit will be required for all affected vehicles. These kits are available now.
All retailers will be set at PRIME ordering level of 10 pieces for the first week (December 12). The
ordering levels will be increased as listed below, until packaging and distribution to all RDCs is complete.
SOA635174 Supply Plan
Week 12/12 10 per retailer
Week 12/19 20 per retailer
Week 12/26 20 per retailer
50 Level 1-3
Week 1/2
100 Level 4 & 5

SOA635175 – WRL-22 Harness Kit
This kit is only needed for a limited number of vehicles that, upon inspection, show any sign of damage
as described in the service procedure for this recall. The harness kits will be available in early January.
• If an affected vehicle is showing signs of this damage prior to parts availability, submit a
TechShare QMR including clear photos of the damage found and the VOR order number for the
harness kit. The owner should be placed in a loaner vehicle until the repair can be made.
• Once the harness kits are available, the valid orders will be released based on the information
submitted in the TechShare QMR.
• The TechShare QMR process will remain in place through 12/30/22.

Background
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 and connector holder at no cost to the customer.

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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 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 dealer
for assistance.

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
2019-2022

Carline
Ascent

Production Date Range
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:
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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.