Owner Notification Materials and Owner Letter

OWNER NOTIFICATION MATERIALS

OWNER LETTER

October 1990

Dear Subaru Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Subaru of America has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1980 through 1984MY Subaru front wheel drive 4-Door Sedan and 2-Door Hardtop models and 1980 through 1986MY Subaru front-wheel drive Hatchback models.

If your vehicle was regularly operated in the below listed areas where a large amount of road salt is used to aid in snow and ice removal, the rear suspension, especially the trailing arms of the vehicle which support the rear wheels may rust. Should the vehicle continue to be operated under such severe corrosion environmental conditions, the rusting will progress and, in an extreme case, the trailing arm may fail, which could result in loss of vehicle control.

If either of your rear wheels appear to be leaning in an abnormal, non-vertical position, do not attempt to drive the vehicle but contact your Subaru dealer for repairs.

The areas of very heavy road salt usage, subject to this recall, are in the following states:

CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE. ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY. NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, VIRGINIA.

Our records indicate that you own one of the subject vehicles. If your vehicle is or has been operated in these states, or if you have recently moved from one of them, we request that you contact your Subaru dealer to arrange for an inspection and, if needed, to have your vehicle repaired. Should you have any questions about whether this applies to you, please contact your dealer for more information.

Your Subaru dealer will inspect and rust-proof the rear suspension and, if necessary, replace corroded rear suspension structural components at no charge to you. Normal maintenance items such as shock absorbers. brake shoes and wheel cylinders are not included in this recall. Your dealer may find it necessary to replace certain normal maintenance items due to the age and mileage of your vehicle at the time he is performing this repair. Replacement of any normal maintenance items will be at your cost upon your approval.

The replacement parts will be available at your Subaru Dealer after October 22, 1990. You should make an appointment with your Subaru Dealer to have the repair procedure performed after this date.

The actual labor time to perform the inspection and rustproof treatment is approximately one hour, although additional time may be needed if component replacements are required. However, please plan to leave your vehicle at your Subaru Dealer for the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow the dealer some flexibility in scheduling other customers.

You must present the enclosed two-part Recall Certification/Repair Order Form to your Subaru Dealer at the time this inspection/repair procedure is performed. If you lose this form, please contact the Owner Service Department of the Subaru Distributor/Region responsible for your area shown on the map on the back of this letter. You will then be sent a new form. If you are no longer in possession of this vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us so that we may update our records.

Even if you previously had a rear suspension repair performed prior to notification, we would strongly urge you to return your vehicle to your authorized Subaru dealer to have your vehicle checked and the rustproof procedure performed.

If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable period of time, you should contact the Subaru Distributor/Region responsible for your area. If your complaint is not resolved, you may contact Subaru of America, Owner Service Department at the above address or you may wish to notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. area residents may call 366- 0123).

If you have previously paid an authorized Subaru Dealer to have a rust perforated rear suspension arm or crossmember replaced on your vehicle, forward the original or original carbon copy of the repair invoice (including a tow bill if a separate document) to receive consideration for Subaru of America's financial participation. Be sure the repair invoice includes your vehicle identification (serial) number and the date of the repair. These should be mailed to:

Subaru of America
Attention: Recall Headquarters
Subaru Plaza
P.O. Box 6000, 2235 Rt. 70 West
Cherry Hill, N.J. 08034-6000
(609) 488-3126

Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take as long as 120-180 days for this process to be completed.

We regret any inconvenience this matter may cause you. However, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and your continued satisfaction with our products.

WE URGE YOU TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIR PROCEDURE PERFORMED.