Service bulletins for the 2020 Subaru Ascent
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
530 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| 05-71-19R | 2020-02-05. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides an inspection procedure to follow when addressing customer concerns of a rattling, knocking or klunk type sound when going over slight bumps and/or uneven road surfaces. |
|---|---|
| WUU-06R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a Service Program to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) on certain 2019-2020MY Ascent and 2020MY Legacy & Outback vehicles. In some vehicles, the current software may cause the sub learning value control to operate improperly during the wake-up mode of the ECM. This could cause repeated erroneous learning of the accelerator position which can result in the disabling of the VDC function. When the VDC function is disabled, EyeSight, Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB), and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) auto release functions are disabled by the VDC fail signal causing the VDC, EyeSight, RAB and EPB warning lamps to illuminate. This program affects approximately 115,729 vehicles. |
| Subarunet Announ | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. WUU-06 ECM Reprogramming for DTC C1424 Customer Satisfaction Service Program. |
| WUU-06 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a Service Program to reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM) on certain 2019-2020MY Ascent and 2020MY Legacy & Outback vehicles. In some vehicles, the current software may cause the sub learning value control to operate improperly during the wake-up mode of the ECM. This could cause repeated erroneous learning of the accelerator position which can result in the disabling of the VDC function. When the VDC function is disabled, EyeSight, Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB), and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) auto release functions are disabled by the VDC fail signal causing the VDC, EyeSight, RAB and EPB warning lamps to illuminate. This program affects approximately 115,729 vehicles." |
| 15-236-18R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Reprograming file availability for optimization of Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation Head Units. |
| 02-184-19 | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Service Information Bulletin provides the proper tightening / torque sequence to follow when installing Intake Duct #3 onto the intercooler assembly. Following the sequence below will insure the bolts remain fully tightened. |
| 15-249-19R | 2020-01-07. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. The exchange program policy can also be found in Sections 8.4.9 and 11.2.10 of your Claims Policies and Procedures Manual found in Subarunet. |
| 15-251-19R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. "This Service Bulletin provides additional diagnostics to follow when addressing a Telematics-related DTC B2A16. In most cases involving this DTC, the following scenario(s) occur: • When trying to use the remote engine starter (RES) feature through Telematics (STARLINK / My Subaru app) the request is unsuccessful and the red Telematics indicator lamp illuminates. • The customer takes their vehicle to the Retailer and the Technician finds the only code stored to be B2A16 in the DCM. • The Technician diagnoses the DTC per the applicable Service Manual trouble tree and replaced the DCM." |
| 15-233-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure to use for addressing a customer concern of a delayed or slow response when using the soft keys on the touch screen of the audio / navigation head unit. |
| 15-220-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit. |
| 15-231-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing specific and general audio/sound related concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide-Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will assist you with this diagnosis and is required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. Once the questionnaire is completed, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning to understand the flow for the listed concerns. |
| 15-230-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. Please apply the information captured in the checklist to the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-228-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank). Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) > Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-247-19R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Service Information Bulletin announces availability of a map update which includes new software to address a route searching error. A “Route Calculation Unsuccessful” message may be displayed when the selected route crosses state borders (e.g. Route 53 which crosses between Alabama and Tennessee). |
| 15-227-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation system’s functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. |
| 15-226-18R | 2019-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns regarding USB functionality. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. |
| 15-229-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing clock-related customer concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual “Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point. |
| 15-236-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The following information addresses reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed above. The procedure will involve either downloading the software update files from Subarunet (or using those sent directly from Nuspire) and transferring them onto a flash drive for head unit installation. |
| 15-243-19R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure for customizing the maintenance period settings of the MFD. When accessing the Maintenance period information on the SSM4, the maintenance interval default values for mileage and number of months are different from those displayed on the MFD. This procedure describes how to synchronize the MFD and SSM4 values to insure proper customer notification. |
| 15-221-18R | 2019-12-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3.0 and 3.1 Navigation and Display Audio systems. We will continue to add to this bulletin as more information becomes available. |
| 05-71-19 | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. This bulletin provides an inspection procedure to follow when addressing customer concerns of a rattling, knocking of klunk type sound when going over slight bumps and/ or uneven road surfaces. |
| 11-192-19 | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to optimize the Engine Control Module (ECM). The new files will address isolated concerns of an extended cranking (hard starting) condition. They will also address a DTC P1604 which may be stored in the ECM memory without illuminating the Check Engine light. |
| 15-249-19R | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. The exchange program policy can also be found in Sections 8.4.9 and 11.2.10 of your Claims Policies and Procedures Manual found in Subarunet. |
| 15-253-19 | 2019-11-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Service Information Bulletin provides the answer to potential inquiries regarding the STARLINK app being unable to play music files stored on a customer’s Android® phone / device through the head units (H/U) used in the applicable models listed above. This information is applicable ONLY to Android devices operating with Operating System (OS) version 10. IOS (AppleTM) devices are not affected. |
| 12-273-19 | 2019-10-01. Service bulletin. SEATS. This bulletin announces availability of redesigned leather seat cushion trim covers to address isolated customer concerns of wrinkles appearing during early stages of vehicle use as shown in the example photo below. The new covers utilize materials with higher durability and resistance to wrinkling. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.