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Coding Error Sends 2019 Subaru Ascents to the Car Crusher

posted by mrpg on Sunday September 23 2018, @01:29PM   Printer-friendly
from the ??? dept.

Bytram (from IRC) writes:

Coding Error Sends 2019 Subaru Ascents to the Car Crusher:

Usually, news of an automotive-related software issue involves an error like last week's GM recall of 1 million SUVs and pickups because of a steering defect in their electric power-steering module. GM stated that the defect can cause a momentary loss of power steering followed by its sudden return, which can lead to an accident, and already has in about 30 known cases. GM says a software update to the module available from its dealers will fix the problem.

But a software remedy can't solve Subaru's issue with 293 of its 2019 Ascent SUVs. All 293 of the SUVs that were built in July will be scrapped because they are missing critical spot welds.

According to Subaru's recall notice [PDF] filed with the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the welding robots at the Subaru Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Ind., were improperly coded, which meant the robots omitted the spot welds required on the Ascents' B-pillar. Consumer Reports states that the B-pillar holds the second-row door hinges. As a result, the strength of the affected Ascents' bodies may be reduced, increasing the possibility of passenger injuries in a crash.

Subaru indicated in the recall that "there is no physical remedy available; therefore, any vehicles found with missing welds will be destroyed." Luckily, only nine Ascents had been sold, and those customers are going to receive new vehicles. The rest were on dealer lots or in transit.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 23 2018, @07:48PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 23 2018, @07:48PM (#738936)

    Do you want to drive it or work on it?

    I used to love my Norton motorcycles, but on average it was about an hour of work (maintenance I could do in my little shop) for an hour of riding.

    I'll guess that a '62-anything will require constant attention, unless you bite the bullet initially and replace "nearly everything" with new/remanufactured parts. Plus the '62 will want gas with lead so you might be making occasional airport trips to buy a little avgas (illegal, but may be necessary to preserve the valves) and/or to find a pump with no ethanol (to preserve the carburetor and fuel system). Still, if you don't plan to drive a lot, the '62 could be a blast!