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2006-2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca, Subaru Forester and others recall: exterior lighting

Subaru Of America, Inc. reported this safety recall on December 26, 2012. It covers about 633,842 vehicles.

vehicles affected
633,842
reported
Dec 26, 2012
owners notified
Feb 19, 2013
related complaints
200

Exterior lighting

What is wrong
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Risk
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783 for more information.

Recall number 12V602000

Affected vehicles

Owner complaints about the same problem

Owners of these vehicles have filed 200 complaints about lights problems.

2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca2009 Subaru Forester2010 Subaru Forester2011 Subaru Forester2012 Subaru Forester2010 Subaru Legacy2011 Subaru Legacy2010 Subaru Outback2011 Subaru Outback2008 Subaru Tribeca2009 Subaru Tribeca2010 Subaru Tribeca

Questions about recall 12V602000

Is there a recall on the 2006-2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca, Subaru Forester and others exterior lighting?

Yes. Recall 12V602000, reported on December 26, 2012, covers about 633,842 vehicles.

What is the fix for recall 12V602000?

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783 for more information.

Is the recall repair free?

Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. A dealer can confirm with the VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has already been done.

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