The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V954000·Announced 2021-12-09

Subaru Recalls 2020 Ascent Vehicles for Steering Tie Rod Defect

Subaru is recalling 2020 Ascent vehicles because front tie rod ends may not fit properly, potentially causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the steering system that can lead to loss of control and a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles due to a defect in the front steering linkage. The recall addresses an incorrect tapered hole in the housing that may prevent the front tie rod ends from fitting properly. This improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly or service replacement if excessive torque is applied.

The defect poses a safety risk because the tie rods may separate from the housing, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. No specific number of affected units is provided in the source text, but the recall covers the 2020 model year Ascent.

Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information. Subaru's internal number for this recall is WRL-21.

The recalled product

Product
SUBARU ASCENT
Brand
SUBARU
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Steering System
Hazard
Affected units
1,305

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • ASCENT

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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