2023 Subaru Ascent Sudden Loss Of Tire Pressure

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has decided that a problem exists in certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The tires on these vehicles may have been damaged during the wheel mounting and assembly process.

Subaru heard about the problem and opened an investigation in February 2023 when they started receiving reports of tires going flat in certain 2023 Subaru Ascent vehicles. Technicians investigating the problem noticed that there was damage to the sidewall near the tire bead, which allowed the tire to leak. The investigation found that during the wheel/tire assembly process, a misaligned bead guide arm caused excessive stress on the tire bead and may have caused damage to the internal structure of the tire.

Subaru is aware of 10 technical reports in the U.S. market between February 17, 2023, and March 31, 2023, that could possibly be related to this problem. Subaru is not aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from this condition. but have decided to issue a recall.

According to the defect report:

- The affected vehicles, equipped with 20” wheels, may be equipped with tires that were damaged during the wheel mounting and assembly process.

- The basis for how the recall population was determined: Potentially affected vehicles were identified using vehicle production records.

- How the recalled products differ from products that were not included in the recall: Vehicles not included in this recall are equipped with properly mounted tire and wheel assemblies or are equipped with 18” wheels.

- The recall population includes 2023 model-year Ascent vehicles. The number of potentially affected vehicles is 4,409.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have all four tires replaced. Owner notifications are expected to be mailed in June 2023. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23 and the NHTSA Campaign Number is 23V-258.