Recall - Front Seat Inner Slide Rail Replacement
NUMBER: WWD-87DATE: 03/2001
APPLICABILITY:
2001 MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
SUBJECT:
Front Seat Inner Slide Rail
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that some 2001 Legacy and Outback models equipped with manually adjustable (non-powered) seats may have been produced with an improperly welded front seat inner slide rail latch mechanism.
This program will involve replacement of the manually adjustable driver and/or passenger front seat inner slide rail on affected vehicles. Power driver seats are not affected.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
2001 MY Subaru Legacy and Outback models.
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart.
NOTE:
All affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS). The description found next to the campaign code (WWD87) in the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry will identify the seat(s) that requires inner seat rail replacement. Refer to the section "IDENTIFY THE AFFECTED INNER FRONT SEAT RAIL THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT" of this Bulletin for more details.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of the affected vehicles. The owner notification is scheduled for mailing in mid-March, 2001.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to the vehicle owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.
For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer's computer list, dealers are to contact those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin.
Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
PARTS INFORMATION
Prior to the release of this recall, dealers will automatically be shipped a quantity of replacement right and left front seat inner slide rail assemblies equivalent to 60% of their vehicle sales. Additional quantities of the replacement inner seat rail assemblies will be available through normal parts supply after 3/10/01. In order to maintain an adequate part supply, SOA requests that Dealers only order parts necessary to supply anticipated demand.
IDENTIFY THE AFFECTED INNER FRONT SEAT RAIL THAT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT
Note:
Only manually adjustable driver and passenger front seats are affected. Outer front seat slide rails are NOT affected. Power driver seats are NOT affected.
There is no inspection procedure. SOA has predetermined the affected front seat inner slide rail(s) for each vehicle. It will be necessary to access the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System in order to determine the appropriate repair procedure for each vehicle. The description next to the campaign code will identify the inner slide rail that requires replacement. Only replace the seat rail identified in the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry.
REPAIR PROCEDURES
Replace the appropriate front seat inner slide rails by following the procedures outlined below and by referring to procedures found in Section 7 - SE of the 2001 Legacy and Outback Service Manual as indicated.
1. Prepare for Seat Assembly Removal
Note:
Before proceeding, as a matter of customer courtesy, record radio settings prior to disconnecting the battery. Please remember to reset the radio and clock when repairs have been completed.
^ Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal before starting seat removal.
2. Seat assembly removal
Remove the seat from the vehicle by following the instructions in steps 2 through 11 in section A of the Service Manual: Removal. Please use extreme care when removing the seat assembly to avoid damage to the vehicle body, seat or trim.
^ Vehicles equipped with side air bag - disconnect the side air bag connector located under the seat cushion.
Caution:
Wait 20 seconds or more after disconnecting the battery before disconnecting the side air bag connector.
^ Vehicles equipped with heated seats - disconnect the seat heater connector.
^ Disconnect the seat belt warning system connector.
Note:
Make seat bolt removal easier by moving the seat to full forward position when removing the two rear bolts, and move the seat to full rear position when removing front two bolts.
3. Remove the inner slide rail assembly
Proceed with removal of the inner slide rail assembly as follows:
1) Disconnect the seat adjustment cable and release arm from the inner seat rail.
2) Remove the seat rail to seat frame attaching bolts and screws.
3) Remove the seatback to seat rail attaching screw.
4) Remove the seatbelt buckle assembly from the seat rail as pictured.
5) Carefully rotate the seat rail downward as pictured.
6) Remove the seat rail assembly as pictured.
4. Install the replacement inner slide rail assembly and reassemble the seat assembly in the reverse order of disassembly.
Properly torque components as follows:
Slide Rail assembly to seat frame bolts: 18 +/- 5 N-m (13.3 +/- 4 ft-lb)
Slide Rail assembly to seat frame screws: 7 +/- 1.5 Nm (5.2 +/- 1.1 ft-lb)
Seat Back to Slide Rail assembly screw: 10 +/- 2.5 Nm (7.4 +/- 1.8 ft-lb)
Seat Belt Buckle installation:30 N-m (22 ft-lb)
5. Reinstall the seat assembly in the vehicle.
Important:
To avoid the possibility of stripping the seat bolts, always begin installation by hand and only tighten to the proper torque.
Properly torque components as follows:
Slide Rail to floor, 4 Bolts: 53 N-m (39 ft-lb)
Verify the Slide Rail operates smoothly and both rails lock simultaneously. If the rails do not lock simultaneously, adjust by loosening bolts and retightening them. For additional front seat slide rail adjustment procedures, refer to Service Bulletin 12-58-93 dated 02/16/93.
RECALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Recall Campaign identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.
A quantity of labels is provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional labels are available through your Area/Distributor Service Office.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit for performing this recall campaign will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System.
Listed below is claim entry information:
Replacement of front seat inner slide rail(s) - Use the following claim submission information for replacement of front seat inner slide rail(s). All properly submitted claims will receive an automatic credit of 0.5 labor hours for replacement of one front seat inner slide rail or 0.8 labor hours for replacement of both front seat inner slide rails. Parts will be reimbursed at dealer cost plus the applicable handling allowance. (Refer to section 13, Claim Administration, of the Subaru Policies, Guidelines & Procedures Manual for recall/campaign reimbursement policies.)
Claims will automatically be credited labor and parts according to the appropriate repair procedure for the individual vehicle as determined in the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry of the Dealer Communication System.
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