Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling 272K 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent vehicles. The reported issue: Improperly Fastened Ground Bolts May Cause Fire (NHTSA campaign 22V907000, reported December 8, 2022). The remedy: dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder. If the defect persists after the fix, or your dealer can't complete the repair within 30 days, you may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law.
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Recall at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Campaign | 22V907000 |
| Date Reported | December 8, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Affected Vehicles | 271,694 |
| Model Years | 2019-2022 |
| Models Covered | Subaru Ascent |
| Defect | Improperly Fastened Ground Bolts May Cause Fire |
| Safety Consequence | A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. |
| Remedy | 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. |
| Subaru Customer Service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| Lemon Law Severity | URGENT |
What Is the Defect?
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.
The Safety Consequence
A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. NHTSA classifies this as a safety-of-life issue. The remedy must be completed by an authorized Subaru dealer; owners should not delay scheduling the fix.
The Manufacturer's Remedy
Subaru of America, Inc. will provide the following remedy free of charge: dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 — referencing NHTSA campaign 22V907000.
Owner Timeline — What to Expect (Weeks 1-4)
For most Ascent owners, the recall repair follows a predictable path. Here's the typical 30-day window — and where lemon-law rights start to apply if it goes off track:
Confirm your VIN at NHTSA.gov. If included, Subaru mails an owner notification letter. Schedule the repair at any authorized Subaru dealer.
Dealer performs the remedy (dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder). Save the repair order with date, mileage, technician notes, and recall campaign number.
Drive normally and watch for any return of the defect. Log mileage, location, and time of any incident.
If the defect returns, if dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if a second repair fails — you may qualify under your state's lemon law. Call us.
Does This Qualify for Lemon Law?
A recall by itself does not automatically qualify a vehicle as a lemon. What matters is whether the defect is fixed after reasonable repair attempts. Most state lemon laws require:
- Substantial impairment to safety, value, or use of the vehicle (the fire risk clearly qualifies)
- A reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 3-4 for the same issue, or 1-2 for safety defects)
- OR 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs
- The defect persists despite the manufacturer's attempt to fix
Recall 22V907000 helps a lemon-law claim two ways: (1) the recall itself is documented evidence the defect exists, and (2) if the manufacturer's remedy doesn't permanently fix the fire risk — or introduces a new problem — that failed remedy is exactly what lemon law was designed to address. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds an additional layer of protection that typically requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees.
Your Lemon Law Rights by State
Easy Lemon represents Ascent owners nationwide. Lemon-law statutes vary by state — here are key jurisdictions where we have deep state-court experience:
Texas
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts (or 2 for serious safety defects).
Arizona
24 months / 24K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Safety defects: 2 attempts.
New York
24 months / 18K miles. 4 repair attempts or 30+ days out of service. Among the most consumer-friendly.
New Jersey
24 months / 24K miles. 3 repair attempts or 20+ days out of service. 6-year statute of limitations.
Free VIN Lookup — Is Your Ascent Affected?
Check your 17-character VIN against NHTSA campaign 22V907000
Enter your VIN below — we'll open the official NHTSA recall lookup in a new tab so you can verify whether your specific Ascent is covered.
Prefer to talk to a lemon-law attorney first? Get a free case review — we'll handle the VIN check and tell you whether you qualify under your state's lemon law.
What to Do Right Now
- Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls to confirm your 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent is included in campaign 22V907000.
- Schedule the recall repair at an authorized Subaru dealer (1-844-373-6614). The repair is free of charge.
- Save every repair order. Get a paper or digital copy showing date, mileage, technician notes, and campaign number 22V907000.
- Document any incidents. If the defect returns after the recall fix, log the date, time, mileage, road conditions — and photos or video if safe. This evidence is critical for a lemon-law claim.
- Contact a lemon law attorney if the defect returns, if your dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if your VIN is on a do-not-drive list. Get a free case review here.
Past Subaru Lemon-Law Settlements
Easy Lemon has recovered millions for Subaru owners nationwide. Three representative outcomes:
Easy Lemon — No Cost Case Review
Easy Lemon represents vehicle owners nationwide, with deep state-court experience in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey. No upfront fees. When we win, Subaru of America, Inc. typically pays our attorney fees under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Call 1-855-435-3666 or submit your case online — VIN check is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent fire risk recall covered by lemon law?
Yes, if the defect substantially impairs the safety, value, or use of your 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent and cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts. NHTSA campaign 22V907000 itself is documented evidence the fire risk exists — strengthening any lemon-law claim under state law and federal Magnuson-Moss.
What if my Subaru dealer can't perform the recall repair?
If Subaru of America, Inc. or its dealer network cannot complete the recall repair for campaign 22V907000 within roughly 30 cumulative days, that delay can independently qualify the vehicle under state lemon law as an inability-to-repair — even if you never had a failed repair attempt.
Do I need to complete the recall repair before filing a lemon-law claim?
In most cases, yes. Courts and arbitrators expect Subaru of America, Inc. to be given an opportunity to cure the defect. Recommended path: complete the dealer's recall repair first, document each visit, and file a lemon-law claim only if the defect persists or the dealer can't perform the fix within 30 days.
How much can I recover under Subaru lemon law for the 22V907000 recall?
Three outcomes are common for owners of the affected 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent: a manufacturer buyback (full purchase price minus a mileage-use deduction), a comparable replacement vehicle, or cash compensation if you keep the vehicle. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims can also recover attorney fees — typically paid by Subaru of America, Inc., not by you.
How do I check if my Ascent VIN is affected by recall 22V907000?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your VIN is included in NHTSA campaign 22V907000, you'll see the open recall listed. You can also call Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 with your VIN, or use the free VIN check on the Easy Lemon contact page to learn about your lemon-law rights.
How long do I have to file a lemon-law claim for the Ascent recall?
Statute of limitations varies by state: Florida and Texas typically allow 4 years from the manufacturer's last repair attempt, Georgia 1-2 years, Arizona 4 years, New York 4 years, and New Jersey 6 years. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims may extend the window. Document every repair visit for the 22V907000 fix and contact a lemon-law attorney early to preserve your rights.
What is the remedy for the Subaru Ascent recall 22V907000?
Subaru of America, Inc.'s remedy is: dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder. The fix is provided free of charge under federal recall law. If the remedy fails to fix the fire risk, that failed remedy strengthens your lemon-law case — keep the dealer's repair order and any post-repair incident logs.
Does the fire risk count as a safety defect?
Yes. NHTSA classifies the fire risk as a safety issue: a melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. Safety defects typically qualify for lemon-law relief faster than non-safety issues — most state statutes require fewer repair attempts (often just 2) for documented safety defects.
Affected by the Subaru Ascent recall? Get a free case review.
No upfront fees. When we win, Subaru of America, Inc. typically pays our fees under federal Magnuson-Moss law.
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Reviewed by the Easy Lemon editorial team on .