Subaru recalls 271,000 U.S. vehicles for fire risks, urges drivers to park outside (updated)
13/12/2022 18:38
(Adds more details on recall, company investigation)
By David Shepardson
Dec 13 (Reuters) - Subaru 9778.T on Tuesday said it
was recalling 271,000 Ascent sport utility vehicles with model
years between 2019 to 2022 due to increased fire risks and urged
owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs are
completed.
The Japanese automaker said owners should park away from
structures and avoid leaving vehicles unattended while the
engine is running. Subaru said a wiring connection may have a
production-related defect that can cause a fire while the heater
is in operation because excessive heat could result in
melting the ground terminal and surrounding components.
There have been two fires but no injuries or crashes have
been reported. Subaru dealers will replace heater ground bolts
and if needed replace the ground wire and the connector holder.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said
until the recall is completed, owners should park vehicles
outdoors. If an owner notices or smells smoke coming from the
dash or driver’s footwell area, they should immediately stop the
vehicle and turn the ignition off.
Subaru said in early 2020 it introduced air tools to the
production line replacing a battery tool. Also in 2020 it
received the first technical report of an Ascent exhibiting
smoke from the cabin and received the first fire damage report
in September 2021 and then received a report in 2022 of a
vehicle damaged by fire that was produced after the tool change.
Subaru said "out of an abundance of caution, Subaru
decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall."
The recall issue was corrected in production on April
29, 2022 with an updated tightening tool to prevent incomplete
tightening, Subaru said.
(Reporting by David Shepardson
Editing by Mark Potter and Aurora Ellis)
((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))