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Subaru Ascent Tie Rods May Separate From Steering

NHTSA campaign 21V954000 · Reported 2021-12-09 · Subaru of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious — losing a tie rod means losing steering, which can cause a crash; the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, but this should go to the top of your to-do list.

What's wrong, in plain English

Tie rods are the steering parts that push and pull the front wheels when you turn the wheel. They seat into a tapered hole in the steering housing, and on some 2020 Ascents that hole was made incorrectly, so the tie rod ends do not fit properly. Over-tightening them during assembly or a later repair can deform the parts. A deformed tie rod can separate from the housing, and if it does you lose steering control.

What you should do

1. Verify your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls under recall 21V954000 (Subaru's WRL-21).
2. Call your Subaru dealer, or Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, to schedule the repair.
3. The dealer replaces both front tie rod ends and their housings at no cost to you.

Affected vehicles (1)

2020 Subaru Ascent

Who to contact

Subaru — official Subaru recall lookup

Customer service: 1-844-373-6614

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Official notice

Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Ascent vehicles. Due to an incorrect tapered hole in the housing, the front tie rod ends may not fit properly. The improper fit can result in the tie rods and housings being deformed during assembly and service replacement if excessive torque is applied.
Safety risk: The tie rods may separate from the housing, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front tie rod ends and housings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-21.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.