Recall - Front Lower Control Arm Corrosion: Overview
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETINNUMBER: WVX34
DATE: November 2011
APPLICABILITY:
2002~07MY Impreza (except STI); 2003~08MY Forester
SUBJECT:
Front Lower Control Arm (Transverse Link) Corrosion
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have been manufactured with front lower control arms (transverse links) that could corrode in the hanger bracket area if exposed to salt for a prolonged period of time if the vehicle is operated for an extensive period in a "salt-belt" area (see list of states below that use salt extensively on the roads in the winter), continued exposure to salt could cause the lower control arm hanger brackets to rust and eventually break if one or both were to break due to rusting, control of the vehicle could be affected without prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
This recall will involve inspecting and testing the current condition of the front lower control arms. If both are found to be acceptable, as a preventative measure it will be necessary to apply anti rust materials to the areas of concern. If either control arm is found to be unacceptable, bot will require replacement.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2002~007 model year Subaru Impreza (except STI) vehicles and 2003~2008 model year Subaru Forester vehicles whose owners either currently reside in, or the vehicle has ever been registered in, at least one of the following "salt-belt" states:
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart. NOTE: Not all vehicles within the range are affected. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function at Subarunet.com.
Dealer Affected VIN lists: Dealers will be sent an affected VIN list for all model years around the time owner notification letters begin mailing
Affected VIN lists are created and "dealerized" as follows:
^ Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling dealer when their current address is within a 100 mile radius of that dealer
^ If the original selling dealer code was found to be inactive, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active dealer
^ For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the original selling dealer, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active dealer
Important:
Dealer affected VIN lists include owner name and address information for vehicles affected by this recall. This information will enable dealers to follow-up with owners of potentially affected vehicles. The lists contain owners' names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is unlawful. Accordingly, dealers are urged to limit the use of these lists for the purpose of completion of this safety recall.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent to owners of vehicles who either currently reside in, or the vehicle has ever been registered in, at least one of the "salt-belt" states
WVX34 Owner Notification Mailing Schedule
A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included at the end of this bulletin
OWNERS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE AFFECTED "SALT-BELT" STATES
Notification letters will only be mailed to owners of vehicles that currently reside in, or the vehicle has ever been registered in, at least one of the "salt-belt" states.
After release of this recall, vehicles previously 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 Subarunet. 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 his or her vehicle in a "salt-belt" area, dealers are requested to contact the Subaru Claims Helpline and request the VIN be added to the WVX-34 recall affected list. The dealer should then perform 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, 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 $6,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 USC Section 30165(a) of the Safety Act, and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.