Recall - Rear Center Seat Belt Non-Compliance: Overview
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETINNUMBER: WQA-37
DATE: March 2012
*REVISED: 10/10/12*
APPLICABILITY:
2009-2012MY Subaru Forester
SUBJECT:
Rear Seat Center Seatbelt
Subaru has prepared a new repair kit for this campaign. As a result, there are two separate WQA-37 Seatbelt Kits available, Kit 1 or Kit 2. Only one kit is needed for each vehicle and either one is acceptable for completing this recall. Kit 2 will be introduced when inventory of Kit 1 has been depleted. This bulletin has been revised to include repair instructions for both kits. The installation instructions for Kit 2 begin after Kit 1.
INTRODUCTION
Subaru has determined that certain 2009 through 2012 model year Forester vehicles have been manufactured with a rear seat center seatbelt that does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirement for securing a child restraint system (CRS) also known as a "child safety seat".
The rear center seatbelt may not adequately secure certain CRSs that require a short belt routing configuration for attachment. This seatbelt contains an Automatic Locking Retractor that may not lock as intended when such a configuration is used, preventing a tight and secure installation of the CRS. If the CRS is not properly secured, the CRS may not provide the protection it was designed to provide, and the child occupying the CRS may be at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
This recall will involve updating the rear seat center seatbelt on all affected vehicles.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
2009-2012 Model Year Forester: 2012 model vehicles will have a production update beginning March 14, 2012. Vehicles produced on or after this date are not affected by this recall campaign.
Affected VINs are contained in the following range.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
There will be two owner notification letters sent.
The first owner notification letter was mailed on or about March 26, 2012. The letter explains the condition associated with the rear seat center seatbelt and advises vehicle owners that they will be notified by a second letter when repair parts become available.
The second owner notification letter will be sent when an adequate supply of replacement parts are available. It is anticipated that letters will be mailed according to the following schedule.
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 will be notified electronically on the same date letters are mailed.
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
*There are two separate WQA37 Seatbelt Kits available, Kit 1 or Kit 2. Only one kit is needed for each vehicle and either one is acceptable for completing this recall. The part numbers are listed in the following chart. Kit 2 will be introduced when inventory of Kit 1 has been
depleted.
Since each kit has specific repair instructions, please be sure to follow the instructions found in the repair section of this bulletin for the kit being used.*
Based on the interior color, identify the actual part number needed in the chart.
MATERIALS NEEDED *FOR INSTALLATION OF KIT 1 ONLY*
It will be necessary to make two headliner supports using the following materials.
Diagrams can be found under Steps 3,4 and 5.
2-welding rods 3mm (1/8 in.) in diameter
Vinyl tape
Clean shop rags
SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Recall Campaign identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicles 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 Subarunet.com.
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