Recall - Puddle Lamp Circuit Board Overheating, Fires: Overview
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETINNUMBER: WQE-41
DATE: February 2013
APPLICABILITY:
2010 and 2011MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
2006 through 2012MY Tribeca vehicles sold
before January 2012
2009 through 2012MY Forester vehicles sold before January 2012
SUBJECT:
Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
Subaru has determined that affected vehicles equipped with optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights may develop a short circuit and cause the related components to overheat and potentially melt.
A short circuit can develop when either the puddle lights or connectors are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (i.e.- salt water) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s). If the puddle lights or connectors were to overheat, they could melt and pose a risk of a fire.
This recall will involve vehicle inspection and installation of inline fuses as necessary.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
The following vehicles equipped with puddle lights are affected:
^ 2010 and 2011MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
^ 2006 through 2012MY Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012
^ 2009 through 2012MY Forester vehicles sold before January 2012
Of the puddle light kits produced that could experience this condition, approximately 93% were installed by a port facility prior to delivery to dealers. The remaining 7% kits were either installed by dealers or sold to individuals in kit form.
^ Vehicles with Port Installed Puddle Lights
Vehicles equipped with port installed puddle lights have been identified and will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-41.
^ All Other Potentially Affected Vehicles
Vehicles within the affected group that do not have port installed puddle lights will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-99. For any vehicle in this category that has puddle lights, it will be necessary to contact the Subaru Claims Helpline at in order to have the VIN added to the recall.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
There are two versions of owner notification letters.
Version 1 addresses vehicle owners who are known to have a vehicle equipped with port installed puddle lights. The letter will inform the owner that their vehicle is affected by this recall. Vehicles in this category will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-41.
Version 2 addresses all other vehicle owners who have a vehicle that may have had puddle lights installed after the vehicle was first delivered to a dealer. The letter will inform the owner that their vehicle is affected by this recall if it is equipped with puddle lights. Vehicles in this category will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-99.
A copy of both owner notification letters is included at the end of this bulletin.
In addition to notification by mail, vehicle owners with a valid email address and MySubaru subscribers will be notified electronically on the same date letters are mailed.
Owner notification letters began mailing on February 19, 2013.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or 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, used, demo or SSLP 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.
^ Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin.
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized Subaru Dealer failing to perform the applicable service procedures as defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP) 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 CFR section 578.6 and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
PARTS INFORMATION
Repair parts are currently available. It is suggested that parts be ordered at the time a customer contacts a dealer to schedule an appointment. This will ensure the necessary parts are available on the day a customer brings their vehicle in for service.
SERVICE PROGRAM 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.
Additional labels are available by calling the Subaru Claims Helpline.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform this service program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may submit claims through Vehicle Claim Entry on Subarunet.com.