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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© 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: 02/20/23

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 1 of 23

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 2 of 23

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

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 3 of 23

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. 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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 4 of 23

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION/CONFIGURATION:
Diagram 1
(94060XC110VH)
(94060XC01AVH)

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

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Diagram 2

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

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Diagram 3

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

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Service Procedure / Flowchart:

**

NOTE**: If a torque of 13Nm cannot be achieved, a QMR must be submitted. Contact Techline for
further instruction.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 8 of 23

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 mounting nut securing the left front side sill cover. CAREFULLY detach the
front section of the left rear side sill cover. While holding the front section, use your other hand to
detach and remove the left front side sill cover.

CAUTION: ALWAYS remove the cover when it is or has reached room temperature. Any
attempts of removal in cold ambient temperatures may result in unwanted breakage DO NOT
use excessive force when pulling the cover upward. This may cause damage to the cover.

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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 9 of 23

STEP 4: Disconnect all electrical connections from
the connector holder.

STEP 5: Remove the two heater ground bolts.

STEP 6: 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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Bulletin Number: WRL-22R; Revised: 02/20/23

Page 10 of 23

STEP 7: Move the connector holder aside to allow room for workspace.

STEP 8: 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.