2021-2022 Subaru Ascent Interior and Under Dash Recall (22V907)
Subaru of America, Inc. · 271,694 vehicles · Reported December 8, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling 271,694 2021-2022 Subaru 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. A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. Park outside and away from buildings until it is repaired.
Recall 22V907 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V907000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | WRL-22 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 8, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Subaru Ascent |
| Units affected | 271,694 |
| Component | Electrical System > Wiring > Interior / Under Dash |
| Safety risk | A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Subaru Ascent in recall 22V907?
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.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Ascent with recall 22V907?
Park it outside. NHTSA lists a fire risk for recall 22V907, so keep the vehicle away from buildings until it is repaired.
NHTSA lists this as a Park Outside recall because of a fire risk. Park the vehicle outside and away from buildings until the repair is done, even if you have not noticed any problem.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V907?
Recall 22V907 covers 271,694 vehicles: 2021-2022 Subaru Ascent.
NHTSA lists 271,694 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Subaru | Ascent |
What is the fix for the Ascent interior and under dash recall?
Yes. Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
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.
When was recall 22V907 announced?
Subaru of America, Inc. reported recall 22V907 to NHTSA on December 8, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 6, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 8, 2022 | Subaru of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V907000. |
| February 6, 2023 | Owner notification letters scheduled (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 46 months ago. If your Ascent was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Ascent is part of recall 22V907?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V907 is open on your Ascent, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V907000 is open on your Ascent, it will be listed there, along with Subaru recall number WRL-22. You can also ask any Subaru dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Ascent owners do about recall 22V907?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V907000 applies to your Ascent.
- Park outside and away from buildings until the repair is done.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Subaru dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the interior and under dash happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Ascent owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 21 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 22V907 was reported on December 8, 2022, owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 2 of them (18%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after December 8, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 157 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 21 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Subaru Ascent: 102 complaints in total, 18 about the electrical system
- 2022 Subaru Ascent: 55 complaints in total, 3 about the electrical system
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
I bought a 2021 Ascent – Touring , lately there was an ever increasing amount of wind noise. It sounded like it was coming from the sunroof, but I couldn't see anything from the inside that looked out of place and there were no signs of water leaking.
2021 Subaru Ascent owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11707846, filed December 30, 2025
The transmission on our 2021 Subaru Ascent is slipping and failing to accelerate, RPMs reving, and every issue indicator notification light is on. We took the car to our mechanic, then to the Subaru dealership service dept for diagnosis. A full transmission replacement is required plus associated repairs for a cost of $14,543.98.
2021 Subaru Ascent owner, CO, NHTSA complaint 11710776, filed January 13, 2026
While driving my Subaru Ascent, a check engine warning light appeared on the dashboard. Shortly afterward, I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I immediately pulled over and turned the vehicle off. Within moments, flames began coming from under the hood.
2021 Subaru Ascent owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11712180, filed January 20, 2026
Can recall 22V907 make my Ascent a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 22V907000 does not automatically make your Ascent a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same interior and under dash problem is common in lemon law claims.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Ascent been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Subaru Ascent recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V907
Did the recall 22V907 fix work?
Since recall 22V907 was reported on December 8, 2022, owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 2 of them (18%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 6, 2023.
Is the 22V907000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Ascent is part of recall 22V907000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V907000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.