2022 Subaru Ascent Electrical Problems
3 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Electrical Recalls (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-22.
Owner Complaints (3)
Your Ascent randomly hesitates when accelerating into traffic at any speed, creating a dangerous delay where the engine RPM drops to 1000 or below for 3-4 seconds before suddenly revving to 3000-4000 RPM and moving forward — during this delay, you're stuck in traffic unable to proceed. You've also experienced the car slowly drifting 6-8 feet while parked and a rear hatch that only works intermittently despite a motor replacement over a year ago. The hesitation problem worsened after a dealer system update, and multiple service visits have been unable to replicate or fix the issue. A proper diagnosis and repair will likely involve reprogramming the engine control module, fuel injector inspection, and testing the transmission's shift logic.
Parts you may need:
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The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V907000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
1. The electrical system/battery failed after only 392 miles. Car could not be jumped. When the cables were put on the battery, the tech said they got real hot (which leads us to believe it was shorting out.) Even though Subaru blamed the battery, the dashboard lights, the horn, and the headlights were all flickering and flashing like a Christmas tree. The car had also just been driven 45 minutes before. Subaru blamed driver error on not shutting the car off properly, but according to a class-action lawsuit, Subaru is aware of this happening with other Subaru vehicles. 2. The car would not start in an unsafe neighborhood after dark. We also experienced a burning smell in our garage for the past few months, which disappeared now that the Subaru has been at the garage for a week. 3. Not confirmed. The Subaru dealership blamed driver error and improper shut off of the ignition. 4. No inspections have been done except by the Subaru dealership. 5. No warning. The car had just been driven for 45 minutes, we parked and came back 45 minutes later and it would not start. At that time, the battery light came on, the car's headlights started to flash, and the dashboard lit up. Looking back, the burning smell in our garage might have been a clue.