Subaru B9 Tribeca, Forester, Legacy, Outback and 1 more (2006-2012): Exterior lighting
Recall 12V602000 · Dec 26, 2012 · Subaru of America, Inc.
633,842
vehicles affected
633,842
vehicles affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 12V602000
- Date
- Dec 26, 2012
- Maker
- Subaru of America, Inc.
- Units affected
- 633,842
- Kind
- Vehicles
- Component
- Exterior lighting
- Model years
- 2006-2012
- Started by
- The maker
- Hazard
- Fire
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).
What can happen
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.
The fix
Recall repairs are free of charge.
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.
Vehicles covered
5 models, 15 model years in all
Related pages
Questions and answers
Which vehicles are in recall 12V602000?
5 models: Subaru B9 Tribeca (2012), Subaru Forester (2009-2012), Subaru Legacy (2010-2011) and 2 more, about 633,842 vehicles in all.
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.
What can happen?
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.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. A dealer can tell whether a single vehicle still needs the repair.