Subaru of America has issued a recall for the newly-upgraded 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV for an improperly tightened ball joint in the front control arm that could come loose and cause a crash. Fortunately, the potential number of Ascent 3-Row SUVs affected by the recall is five vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement says Subaru of America has initiated a safety recall for certain 2023 Ascent vehicles because the left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm. Subaru says a loose castle nut's rotational movement could result in the retention pin's sheering over time. The castle nut could eventually fall off entirely without a functional retention pin. If the ball joint separates from the lower control arm while driving, the Ascent SUV may experience a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. What happens if the control arm is loose Subaru says the castle nut needed to be sufficiently tight when the retention pin was installed during the assembly process at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant where the Ascent is manufactured. Identification of any warning that can occur: The driver may notice abnormal noise and vibration from the front suspension. Subaru is unaware of any field reports or warranty claims of crashes or injuries related to this condition. SIA implemented an interim corrective action to inspect all assemblies before vehicle installation on April 6, 2023, until corrective action by the supplier (Yorozu Automotive of Tennessee) could be verified. Subaru conducted an internal inspection campaign for all vehicles under its control. However, it was determined that five affected vehicles had been shipped to Subaru retailers. What should customers do? Subaru dealers will inspect the five affected vehicles and, if the castle nut is loose, replace the lower control arm assembly at no cost to the customer. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-23. Other 2023 Ascent recalls Subaru of America issued a recall for the 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler in April 2023. According to the NHTSA, customers who own the new Ascent could experience a sudden loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall announcement revealed 2023 Ascent Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring trim levels equipped with 20-inch wheels might be equipped with tires that were damaged during the wheel mounting and assembly process. The number of potentially affected Ascent vehicles for this recall is 4,409. Subaru Ascent owners can check the Subaru VIN recall tool here to see if your Subaru vehicle has a recall notice. You Might Also Like: The New Upgraded Subaru Ascent Checks All Boxes For Active Families Except One
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust. Leave your comments below, share the article with friends, and tweet it out to your followers! Photo credit: Subaru USA
