Recall - Wiper Motor Cover Overheating/Melting: Overview
NUMBER: WVV32DATE: September 2011
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
2010-11 Subaru Legacy & Outback
SUBJECT:
Windshield Wiper Motor
INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc has determined that certain 2010-11 Legacy and Outback models may have been produced with a windshield wiper motor bottom cover that could overheat and potentially melt if there is an obstruction, such as snow or ice, in the cowl area when the windshield wipers are turned off, the wiper arms would be forced to "park" at a higher than intended position on the windshield. In this situation, the wiper arms will continuously attempt to return to the normal park position. As a result, components contained within the wiper motor bottom cover could develop high electrical resistance causing this part to overheat. If the bottom cover were to overheat, it could melt and pose a risk of a fire.
This recall will involve replacing the windshield wiper motor bottom cover.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
^ 2010-11 Subaru Legacy and Outback
Potentially affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart. Prior to performing repairs, confirm coverage by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function at the website.
Dealer Affected VIN lists: Dealers will be sent an affected VIN list for each model year around the time owner notification letters are mailed.
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 Recall.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of the affected vehicles on or around October 3, 2011.
A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included at the end of this bulletin.
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). 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.
^ 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) 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 sign 578.6 and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
PARTS INFORMATION
Repair parts will be available on or about September 16, 2011. Each dealer will automatically be sent an initial supply of replacement parts.
Dealers will need to order any additional supply through normal parts ordering procedures.
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Recall identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.
Additional labels are available through the Subaru Claims Helpline.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may submit claims through Vehicle Claim Entry on the website.