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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Now that would be frustrating!
Not at all, it's still crazy to my that my Touring built last month came with the smaller LN2 82110AN00B battery... esp on a bigger vehicle
Maybe they're just trying to deplete their stock before switching over? Or maybe the accountants are betting most batteries won't prematurely fail and with replacing the ones that do it's still saves more money to factory install the smaller ones? shrug
As I wrote previously (https://www.ascentforums.com/threads/battery-drain-on-23-ascent.22211/?post_id=247939#post-247939), I also think (and this is pure unfounded conjecture on my part) that it's possible that Subaru is simply trying to save some money by using the "lesser" battery in the Ascent as it's quite likely that in the vast majority of Ascents the -AN00B / -B700 will work just fine: that it's only in a percentage of Ascents that it proves insufficient due to perhaps some quirk of tolerance or tolerance-stacking.
The bean counters counted the beans, and simply determined that this makes the most fiscal sense for Subaru.
Hence, it's only the vehicles brought in under the TSB's specific parameters that get the larger, "better" battery, or is otherwise at the discretion of the service manager.
Prior to the recall/TSB, the B400 battery in my 22 Onyx died. It was replaced at no charge with the larger B600 EFB style. Oddly, the B600 has a much higher list price than the newer B900 which some are getting as a replacement.
At that time, and absent guidance from SoA, I'm guessing that it was up to the service mgr or the parts dept to choose the replacement. It was probably whatever "better" battery they had in stock then.
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07-213-22R
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07-213-22R
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07-218-23 (02/10/2023) recommends the B900, w/larger tray and cover
Applies to 2019-23 MY Forester
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I just took my 2023 Ascent to the dealership in Leesburg, Fl to check the battery which I had to jump start twice this week. Unfortunately, since the Ascent had over 36,000 miles, a new $606 battery was installed. I was also informed that for an extra $300, the dealership would replace the Air and Cabin filters (both replaced six months ago) and wiper blades (replaced 3 weeks ago). I enjoy everything about the Subaru, except the expensive replacement parts on a two-year old vehicle.
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maybe
About $80 in genuine Subaru parts for the filters and wipers, $220 in labor? Wow. The filters and wipers I have found to be reasonable either from my local dealer or on Amazon. The battery, on recommendation from my service advisor, go aftermarket and save some money.
There's no way I'd ever go to that dealer again. A high quality AGM battery from other sources costs under $200 and takes about ten minutes with two 10mm wrenches to install. It kills me when I see people paying dealers $400 for a battery, but $600 is "beyond robbery". You can buy a compatible cabin air filter and engine air filter each for $20 or under and each take no more than five minutes to install each one with NO tools...
I’m guessing some of the cost was due to the TSB and related parts as well as the larger battery.
The dealer likely could have helped the customer out a bit by contacting SOA on their behalf, but clearly they didn’t care to!
Regardless, it shouldn't have been 600 smackers for the new battery and tray.
At this point I now noticed the particular dealer. I've actually used them for 2 regular oil changes on the MY19 Touring I used to drive before updating to the MY23 Touring. This was while traveling as the 'rents lived near there when they were still alive. At that time, they were less expensive for that particular service than my "home" dealer. Perhaps things have changed...
I would make a call to SoA, (1 800 subaru3) to let them know they have a crook amongst them.....
Even after the 3/36, the TSB should at least provide a discount..
$600 for a battery?
Sounds like the dealer wants you to pay for the trip to Hawaii......
I would look into this.......
Home | In re Subaru Battery Drain Products Liability Litigation
If you bought or leased certain Subaru Vehicles, you may benefit from a class action settlement
www.subarubatterysettlement.com
I don’t think the battery lawsuit applies since it doesn’t cover the 2023 model year.
This is another area where Subaru has cut corners by using undersized batteries and passes the cost onto the customer when they end up out of pocket due to early failure.
It still blows my mind that Subaru has a TSB that specifies a larger battery with redesigned battery hold down components but refuses to use these same parts on the production line.
This is another area where Subaru has cut corners by using undersized batteries and passes the cost onto the customer when they end up out of pocket due to early failure.
It still blows my mind that Subaru has a TSB that specifies a larger battery with redesigned battery hold down components but refuses to use these same parts on the production line.
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I can confirm that was the going rate in northern Virginia for the bigger battery, bigger tray, and labor for install when I asked my service advisor. He would be more than happy to take my money but he said just go get an aftermarket AGM with a bigger capacity.
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