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Japanese automotive manufacturer Subaru has issued a huge recall for its 2019 through 2022 Ascent vehicles. The company has recalled over 270,000 vehicles because of an issue that could cause engine fires in affected cars. This notice goes into effect immediately. It includes a warning from the manufacturer to park Ascent vehicles outdoors. They urge users to park away from any structures and far from other vehicles.
Read on for more information regarding this recall. Why did the company implement it, and what should you do if you own a recalled Subaru?
According to Subaru, it issued the Ascent recall after discovering that something might have been installed improperly. It is an electrical grounding bolt connected to the SUV’s cabin heating system. As such, this means that the issue can occur when the vehicle’s positive temperature coefficient heater is on. In this scenario, the grounding terminal and surrounding parts can melt, which can increase the risk of fire.
The PTC heater is a backup heater than can be used to warm the cabin when the engine hasn’t fully warmed up. In short, this means that the vehicle is at a higher risk of catching fire while in use, especially in winter weather.
Subaru warns owners to be aware of smoke or burning smells coming from their Ascent vehicles’ dashboards or footwell areas. This could be a sign of an engine fire developing. In some cases, the vehicle could even catch fire when not in use. It may also catch fire when idling, before or after driving, as people try to pre-warm their cars before their commute.
Make sure you do not park your Ascent near buildings or inside a garage until you get confirmation from Subaru that your Ascent isn’t covered under the recall.
Subaru will notify owners of the recalled vehicles via mail within the next sixty days. If your Ascent has been recalled, return it to your nearest Subaru dealership. Licensed technicians will be able to affect repairs that should keep your vehicle from catching fire in the future.
If you’re eager to find out whether your vehicle is impacted, you can also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall website and enter your vehicle’s VIN. Here, you can determine whether your vehicle is covered under this notice. If it isn’t, you can safely discount the warnings and rest assured, knowing that your vehicle is at no greater fire risk than any other car.
