Recall - Hazard Warning Switch Replacement
NUMBER: WXG-64DATE: 2/13/98
APPLICABILITY:
1997 Legacy Models (As noted below)
SUBJECT:
HAZARD WARNING SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that some 1997 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured from June 3, 1996 through August 31, 1996 may have defective HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES. Due to a supplier manufacturing error, insufficient clearance within the switch housing can cause a binding between the actuating button and the housing. During deactivation of the hazard warning flashers (by operating the hazard warning switch), the switch may stick in an intermediate position, resulting in either continued operation of the hazard warning lamps or their being turned off but the turn signals becoming inoperable. This failure could result in other drivers being unaware of intended driving maneuvers of these affected vehicles such as lane changes or turns.
Subaru of America, Inc. will notify all owners of the affected vehicles by first class mail and instruct them to contact their nearest servicing dealer for repairs.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
The affected vehicles are 1997 Model Year Legacy Sedans and Wagons, and 1997 Legacy Outback Wagons.
Vehicles with potentially defective switches are identified in Chart 1.
^ These vehicles have production dates of 6/3/96 - 8/31/96. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE CONFIRMED AS APPLICABLE USING THE VEHICLE COVERAGE INQUIRY IN THE DEALER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (DCS).
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to the owners of the affected vehicles. The owner notification is scheduled for February 27, 1998.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are requested to promptly repair all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo) in accordance with the instructions in the Service Procedure Section of this bulletin. Vehicles taken into dealer inventory in the future should be corrected by following these service procedures. Dealers should contact owners of vehicles sold since the date of the computer address listing and provide them a copy of the owner notification letter and arrange to make the required repairs according to the service instructions enclosed. A copy of these supplemental owner notifications should be forwarded to SOA Government Affairs Department for our records.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts Availability
Each Subaru Dealer with vehicles affected by this recall campaign should order a supply of the improved Hazard Warning Switches from the PDC.
Parts Pricing
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Step 1) Verify the vehicle as an affected vehicle (Chart 1) via vehicle Coverage Inquiry.
Removal
Step 2) Remove the center console hand brake cover.
Step 3) Remove the shift lever console plate.
Step 4) Remove the cup holder.
Step 5) Remove the radio bezel.
Step 6) Remove the control panel bezel.
Step 7) Remove the center vents from the control panel bezel.
Step 8) Remove the hazard warning switch from the control panel bezel.
WARNING:
The removal process requires careful handling of plastic panels and bezels which can be damaged if removed or reinstalled improperly.
Reinstallation
Replace the Hazard Warning Switch with a new one and reinstall the components in reverse order of the removal process.
CLAIMS PROCESSING REIMBURSEMENT
Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information.
Star System Dealers may enter the applicable information using the DCS system process and recall code WXG-64.
ADP System: selection RCL - Recall Claim from the Subaru Claim menu
R&R System: transaction 21 - Recall Claims from the Service menu
Non-Star system dealers in SOA Regional areas will be reimbursed upon submission of a properly completed repair order to the Customer/Dealer Services Department.
SNE/SDC dealers should enter the applicable claim information via their DCS system.
Dealers will be credited 0.3 labor hours for the replacement of the HAZARD WARNING Switch.
Please notify ALL members of your staff of this Recall Campaign for proper handling of customer inquiries and servicing.
SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this bulletin will require a "Recall Campaign" completion label. Each label provides a space to include the dealer code performing the service program. The information may be inserted with a typewriter or permanent ink pen.
A quantity of 25 labels are being provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional quantities of these labels are available through your area/distributor service office.
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