I took my 2021 Ascent the the dealer for the ground bolt recall today. I also mentioned that I've had to jump start my car a few times after it sits unused for a few days. My battery tested to 508 COA (defect sulfation/ degraded). I was hoping for the B600 battery mentioned in another battery thread. But apparently their is a newer TSB that now specifies the SOA821B900 with 750 CCA. That's what they put in mine under the 3 year 36 month warranty. It was a nice surprise.
Battery replaced with SOA821B900
Billybax
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My MY2020 outback limited was not being able to re-start at a traffic light 2 month ago, so i went straight to dealer, they did a test and said the battery dead then replaced with SOA821B900 under warranty for free.
I believe the TSB calls for the B900. I had mine replaced several months ago, before the current TSB. I got a B600, EFB with the transparent case. I'm guessing that absent the TSB, my dealer installed whatever "better" battery they had at hand. What is odd is that the B600 is much more expensive than the B900 if bought as a stand-alone part, though the B900 has a higher CCA rating.
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Original TSB was B600, IIRC, so, that may explain why you got it, depending on timing. The B600 had less availability and they started using the B900's.
Good info Robert, thanks. It's odd that the B600 retails for ~$400, and the B900 (with a higher CCA rating) retails for ~$275.
No complaints here, both are a vast upgrade from the weak B400 OEM. I noticed that the B600 has caps to refill the electrolyte (if & when required), but the B900 doesn't from what I see in the photos. Both batteries are compatible with the "auto start/stop" feature on some Subarus, meaning deeper reserve capacity.
I've always thought "that Maintenance Free" really means "No Maintenance Possible"
So does the 2023+ models come with the SOA821B900 battery from the factory?
Looking on Autozone's website, 2023+ model battery size is listed as size 47. Other sites list the battery as H5 or LN2. Can anyone with more info verify the size of the SOA821B900? I'm am interested in upgrading for my 2019 model.
Looking on Autozone's website, 2023+ model battery size is listed as size 47. Other sites list the battery as H5 or LN2. Can anyone with more info verify the size of the SOA821B900? I'm am interested in upgrading for my 2019 model.
For either the B600 or B900, you will need to upgrade the tray and hold-down (AFAIK). I believe both are physically larger than the puny B400 OEM. I'm not sure if the TSB/recall will apply to your 2019 model, but it never hurts to ask, maybe contact SoA and open a case if your OEM has failed. Good luck!
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Well, I knew it was going to happen, but, like anyone else, I just didn't know when. Last night, in the garage, I went to start the Ascent. I put the foot on the brake and pressed the START button...then I heard some chattering and the lights started flickering, but the engine didn't want to turn over. I'm really surprised that our original OEM battery had lasted nearly 6 years. Sep 1, will be our 6th year of Ascent ownership. Last night, I went out to Wally World to buy an EverStart AGM Group 35 battery, but the store I went to didn't have any on the shelf. So, last night and this morning, I was perusing through the Ascent Forums looking for warranty and/or recommended battery replacement info from all of the other knowledgeable folks on this site. Later this morning, I called my dealership and talked to my favorite service advisor. She told me that if I can get it started and get it to her, it looks like it's covered under the Battery Drain settlement and they would replace it if the battery fails when they test it. This afternoon, I managed to get it started on the second push of the START button. I was so excited that it finally turned over without having to jump it. I got it to the dealership and they did their thing IAW the TSB 07-219-23. I got the new #SOA821B900 battery and all the applicable parts that make it fit right into the engine compartment. I have to say, today was a great day and I love my Subaru service department and I appreciate all of the great people that make this forum a wealth of knowledge as well as entertainment!
Ours died on Friday. Got it to the dealer Saturday morning. They had to hook it up to their diag system to "ensure" it failed the battery test for the warranty work to be performed. Got the car back later in the afternoon. I will say, it's quite the upgrade getting a B900.
Good for you. I have a 2020 Ascent and as the weather is getting colder it is struggling to turn over if it sits more than a day. I have had it in to the dealership twice and asked them to test it, and they say it tests fine. Of course my dealership is an hour away so when I drive it there, it is fully charged up . It just seems to not be holding a charge as well as it used to. I don't have an alternate vehicle so I'm thinking about just pulling the trigger and replacing it myself. I could take it down and leave it with them overnight and they could run a more indepth test, but im not sure the loss of my time is worth it.
Am I the only one that’s thinks it’s nuts that Subaru has a TSB for a larger battery but continues to play the odds by installing the smaller battery in new vehicles on the production line?
The original TSB was released in 2022 and was updated in March 2024 to include the 2024 model year, yet my 2024 still has the smaller battery, which means Subaru isn’t using the larger batteries in production.
The original TSB was released in 2022 and was updated in March 2024 to include the 2024 model year, yet my 2024 still has the smaller battery, which means Subaru isn’t using the larger batteries in production.
Say hi to the bean counters (accountants for anyone unfamiliar with term).
Well that answers my question about what battery my '23 has...
23 Ascent Premium, 20 Outback; former 19 Outback, 87 GL-10, 85 GL
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Yes, our 23 Ascent has the smaller battery too, but no issues. Our 20 Outback that has start-stop received the big battery update from SOA, a noticeable improvement.
Do you know if that update crosses models over to the Crosstrek? We have a '21 Sport with start/stop and it randomly struggles to get started again. Quick internet search didn't pull anything.
23 Ascent Premium, 20 Outback; former 19 Outback, 87 GL-10, 85 GL
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678 Posts
Not sure on that, but your dealer should know.
If you read the TSB, the models covered are listed. The Crosstrek is not listed. There is an generalized battery testing procedure TSB that applies to the Crosstrek as well as various software updates related to the DCM which was identified as causing parasitic battery drain in some Crosstrek models.
That's probably the same drain that my local dealer blamed on the "aftermarket" remote start system... That was installed by the dealer I bought the brand new vehicle from.
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