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

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: 2) by Reziac on Monday September 24 2018, @05:58PM

    by Reziac (2489) on Monday September 24 2018, @05:58PM (#739295) Homepage

    They could, likely it's not physically all that hard, but it's a liability thing. Their corporate insurance won't cover it because now it's a "salvaged" vehicle, so if someone wrecks and that point fails (even if not due to THIS welding error) look out class-action lawsuit, probably for $NNN-millions.

    So what will really happen is they'll be shipped off to a parts recycler, which is where most of the end-of-the-line auction vehicles wind up already. The frame will probably get scrapped but everything else will be sold for parts.

    And be grateful, because in ten years that may be the source for a hard-to-find part to repair your own vehicle.

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