Recall - Aluminum Wheel Replacement
NUMBER: WWI-92DATE: 09/2002
APPLICABILITY: Certain 2003MY Outback and Legacy Vehicles
SUBJECT: Aluminum Road Wheels
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles may have been produced with improperly manufactured aluminum wheels. The 5-hub-bolt-circle diameter may be off-center in relation to the center of the hub hole. The off-center condition can result in the eventual loosening of wheel lug nuts during vehicle usage.
This recall will involve the replacement of the aluminum wheels on affected vehicles.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2003MY Legacy and Outback Models with H6 six-cylinder engine.
Refer to the affected vehicle list provided by your Regional/Distributor Office or confirm coverage through the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent to owners of affected vehicles on or around September 12,2002.
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.
VEHICLES IN DEALER INVENTORY
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.
New or used vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in dealer stock must be:
^ Immediately identified.
^ Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or repair.
^ Inspected and/or repaired in accordance with instructions outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin.
Any Authorized Subaru Dealer failing to perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo) prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 USC 30165(a) of the Safety Act, and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
PARTS INFORMATION
Each dealer will automatically be sent a quantity of replacement aluminum wheels with tires pre-mounted and balanced. They will be shipped in sets of four equal to the number of affected vehicles allocated to the dealer of record.
Return the replaced tire & wheel sets to:
SYOI - West Entrance
5000 State Road 38 East
Lafayette, IN 47905
Attn: QA Manager
REPAIR PROCEDURES
Replace the set of aluminum wheels with tires following the procedures published in the applicable Subaru Service Manual. The replacement tire & wheel assemblies are shipped balanced and matched as a set. If the dealer has more than one vehicle affected, do not mix the wheels from 2 different sets.
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.
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:
Road Wheel Replacement - Use the following information for claim submission:
Enter labor operation 613-101 for 0.2 labor hours and 613-105 for 0.3 labor hours. A total of 0.5 labor hours will be credited.