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:

2020 MY Ascent

NUMBER: WRL-21R
DATE: 02/07/22

Front Axle Housings

REVISED: 03/28/24
NHTSA ID: 21V-954

INTRODUCTION

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated this safety recall for certain 2020 model year Ascent
vehicles in which the front axle housings may have been manufactured with improperly tapered tie
rod mounting holes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK
The affected vehicles may be equipped with front axle housings that may have been manufactured
with improperly tapered tie rod mounting holes. Over time, this condition may cause the tie rod end
to separate from the axle housing, increasing the risk of a crash.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
The number of U.S. vehicles included in this recall is 1,305.
Model Year

Carline

Production date range

2020

Ascent

February 22, 2020 – March 5, 2020

Not all vehicles in the production date ranges listed above may be included in this recall. Coverage
for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on
subarunet.com, which is now available.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will replace left front and right front housings,
tie rod ends, and all related hardware with new parts at no cost to the customer.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on February 7, 2022. A copy of the
owner notification letter is included at the end of this bulletin.
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-21R; Revised: 03/28/24

Page 1 of 7

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 $21,000 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.
Axle Housing/Tie rod End Mounting Description:

PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

28313XC00A

HOUSING-FRONT AXLE,RIGHT

1

28313XC01A

HOUSING-FRONT AXLE,LEFT

1

34161SA001

TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY

2

901000468 

FLANGE BOLT

8

902170049 

NUT

2

902330007 

SELF LOCKING NUT

4

051030300 

COTTER PIN

2

023212010 

CASTLE NUT

2

NOTE: The Service Manual uses a black star () in the component breakdown illustration to
indicate one-time use parts.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-21R; Revised: 03/28/24

Page 2 of 7

TIE ROD END

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
The service procedures for front axle housing and the tie rod end replacement remain unchanged,
however there are TWO TIPS described below that with help provide a more streamline process
when replacing this part combination. Always refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the
full requirements of the repair being performed. The Service Manual procedures contain information
critical to performing an effective repair the first time, every time. This includes but is not limited to
important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria, necessary special tools, required processes
and related one-time-use parts needed for a complete and lasting repair.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The tie rod end and axle housing on BOTH left and right sides require
replacement.
Tip 1: The stabilizer link mounting nut (902380003) DOES NOT require removal during this
procedure. This nut is a one-time use only part and if removed it MUST be replaced with a new one.
See the photos listed below for examples.

Tip 2: Even with usage of a recommended ball joint separator tool (shown below), there can be
difficulty separating the tie rod end from the axle housing. This is caused by possible deformation of
housing/tie rod from exceeded torque limits during installation. ALWAYS use eye protection when
attempting to apply this method. If there is difficulty found when removing/separating the tie rod end
with the axle housing, follow the procedures outlined on the next page.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-21R; Revised: 03/28/24

Page 3 of 7

STEP 1: Release the clamp on the outside of the steering
rack boot with pliers and slide the clamp toward the tie
rod end.

STEP 2: While holding the tie rod end (A) with an 18mm wrench, loosen the 19mm locking nut (B).

STEP 3: While holding the steering gear box boot (C) and CAREFULLY preventing it from turning,
loosen the tie rod (D) with a 14mm wrench. Take note of the number of rotations during removal and
apply the rotation number to the new part installation. This will help save time during the alignment.
Use CAUTION when performing this STEP to ensure the steering gear box boot does not twist/and
or rotate.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRL-21R; Revised: 03/28/24

Page 4 of 7

Once the tie rod end is removed from the tie rod, proceed to further removing the axle carrier.

IMPORTANT NOTE: ALWAYS use new wheel bearing mounting flange bolts, strut self-locking
nuts, axle nuts, and tie rod end nuts during assembly. Be sure to torque these items to the correct
specification.

Number

Part Description

Part #

Torque Specification

1

WHEEL BEARING FLANGE BOLT

901000468

126 N·m (12.8kgf-m, 92.9ft-lb)

2

STRUT SELF LOCKING NUT

902330007

155 N·m (15.8kgf-m, 114.3ft-lb)

3

AXLE NUT

902170049

220 N·m (22.4kgf-m, 162.3ft-lb)

4

TIE ROD END NUT

023212010

27 N·m (2.8kgf-m, 19.9ft-lb) + 60°

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

Fail Code

BOTH FRONT AXLE HOUSING R&R AND
ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUST

A611-100

2.5H

WRL-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: WRL-21R; Revised: 03/28/24

Page 5 of 7

URGENT
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to the VIN identified in
the address section below

Subaru Safety Recall WRL-21
NHTSA ID 21V-954
February 2022

Dear Subaru Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety,
exists in certain 2020 model year Ascent vehicles.
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these
vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK
The front axle housings in your vehicle may have been manufactured with improperly tapered
tie rod mounting holes. Over time, this condition may cause the tie rod end to separate from
the axle housing, increasing the risk of a crash.
WHAT SUBARU WILL DO
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru will replace left front and right front housings, tie
rod ends, and all related hardware with new parts at no cost to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) immediately for an appointment to have this repair
performed, at no cost to you.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The actual time for this repair is approximately two and a half hours. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling.
OWNER INFORMATION
Government regulations require that recall notifications be sent to the last known owner of record. That information is based primarily on state registration and title data. If you are a lessor
of this vehicle, federal regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten
days.
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 HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR
If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for
reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized
Subaru retailer in your area would charge for the same repair.
Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of
repair, mileage at the time of repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and
your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Advocacy Department, Attention: WRL-21 Recall
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877
Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured
that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may
take up to 60 days for this process to be completed.
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.’
For additional information, please go to: http://www.wrl21.service-campaign.com.
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
•

By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Customer Support”

•

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

To subscribe to the NHTSA Recall Notification email System, please go to: https://www-odi.
nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions.
Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary
repairs free of charge.
You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety
Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.NHTSA.gov if you
believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to remedy your vehicle without charge within
a reasonable amount of time.
Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we
have taken this action in the interest of your safety and 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.
Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.
A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION