Recall - Rear Subframe Corrosion: Overview
NUMBER: WWM-96DATE: July 2003
APPLICABILITY:
2000-2002MY Subaru Legacy and Outback Vehicles
SUBJECT:
Rear Suspension Sub-frame Corrosion
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with improperly applied paint to the rear suspension sub-frame. If an affected vehicle is operated for an extensive period in a "salt-belt" area (see list of states below that use large amounts of salt on the roads in the winter), continued exposure to the salt could cause the rear sub-frame to rust-out and possibly break. If the rear sub-frame were to rust-out and break, control of the vehicle could be affected.
This recall will involve cleaning and applying rust proofing material at the affected area.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
All 2000, all 2001 and most 2002 model year Legacy/Outback vehicles (and approximately 45 very early production 2003 Legacy, Outback and BAJA models) are affected. This recall will be limited to vehicles in regional areas known as "salt-belt" states and affects vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of:
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart in this bulletin.
NOTE:
Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent to owners of vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in "salt-belt" states. SOA will prepare and mail those letters on or around July 7, 2003. A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included.
OWNERS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE AFFECTED "SALT-BELT" STATES
Notification letters will only be mailed to owners of vehicles that were originally sold, or at one time registered, in "salt-belt" states.
After release of this recall, vehicles proviously registered in a non-"salt-belt" state may relocate into a "salt-belt" area. In some cases, the vehicle may be registered in a "non-salt-belt" state, and driven in a "salt-belt" area. These vehicles may not show coverage when checked using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS). SOA requests that dealers located in "salt-belt" states check all vehicles within the affected VIN range for recall coverage. If it is determined that an owner of a vehicle, within the affected VIN range, relocates or uses the vehicle in a "salt-belt" area, dealers are requested to contact the DCS department and request a WWM-96 recall control number be issued. The dealer should perform this procedure on this procedure on the vehicle at no cost to the customer.
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 or 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:
1) Immediately identified.
2) Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or repair
3) Inspected and/or repaired in accordance with the instructions outlined in this 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 sub-section 30165(a) of the Safety Act, and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
PARTS INFORMATION
Special Tools
Each dealer located in the affected "salt-belt" states will automatically be shipped, at no cost, one rust-proofing spray gun set that contains a spray gun and necessary lines, nozzles and wands.
Dealers located outside of the affected "salt-belt" states can order the spray gun kit by contacting their District Service Operations Manager.
Rust-proofing Materials
Note:
The rust-proofing material is packaged in cases of 12 one quart containers ( 2 quarts of Nox-Rust X-210 and 10 quarts of X-121B). Each case contains enough material to rust-proof 10 vehicles.
Prior to the release of this recall, only dealers located in affected "salt-belt" states will automatically be shipped a quantity of rust-proofing material equivalent to 40% of their vehicle sales, or up to a maximum of 15 cases. It will be necessary for dealers located outside of affected "salt-belt" states to order rust-proofing material as needed.
Note:
SOA Will notify owners who either purchased or at one time resided in a "salt- belt" state. Some of these owners may no longer live in a salt-belt" area. In these cases, it will be necessary for dealers located outside the "salt-belt" area to order supplies to rust-proof these affected vehicles.
Additional quantities of the rust-proofing material will be available through the "Genuine Subaru Automotive Chemical" program on Subarunet after 6/21/03. In order to maintain an adequate part supply, SOA requests that Dealers only order quantities necessary to satisfy anticipated demand.
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 Regional / 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
Clean and Rust-proof Rear Suspension Sub-frame - Use the following information for claim submission:
Enter labor operation 161-251 for 0.9 labor hours.
Enter the applicable part number. Parts will be reimbursed at dealer cost plus applicable handling allowance.
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