A Message to Our Valued Owners:
We would like to thank you for your selection of a Subaru vehicle. At Subaru, we take pride in our products and are committed to your continued satisfaction. It is with your continued satisfaction in mind that we are announcing the following recall service program.
Subaru has determined that your vehicle may have been manufactured with brake lines that could, over time, corrode if exposed to salt, such as salt used to treat roads in the winter time.
Depending on driving conditions, salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the lines. Excessive corrosion could eventually cause perforation of a brake line(s) resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Your vehicle has a dual circuit braking system. Each circuit works independently and diagonally across the vehicle. If one circuit of the brake system fails, the other half of the system still works. Should a brake line corrode to the point of developing a perforation, brake fluid will leak from the line(s) causing the related circuit to eventually lose effectiveness. In this situation, there would be an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance and foot pressure required to slow or stop the vehicle. This might cause the driver to misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
WQK-47 Safety Recall FAQs:
Q: What should I do?
A:
If you received a notification and are an owner of a 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy or Outback:
You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment.
If you received a notification and are an owner of a 2009-2013 model year Subaru Forester , 2008-2011 model year Subaru Impreza, WRX, or STI vehicle, or a 2012-2014 model year Subaru Impreza WRX or STI vehicle:
Subaru is in the process of acquiring anti-corrosion materials and replacement parts necessary to perform this repair. Once there is a sufficient supply of the anti-corrosion materials and parts to perform this repair, Subaru will re-contact you by mail advising you to proceed with scheduling an appointment with your Subaru retailer (dealer).
Q: Do owners of 2005-09 Legacy/Outback models that were subject to the previous brake line corrosion recall need to have this recall performed on that vehicle?
A: Yes. You must have this recall performed to ensure that all affected areas are acceptable and treated with anti-corrosion material as a preventative measure.
Q: Are there any precautions I should take until this repair is performed?
A: There are several important precautions you should take until this repair has been performed:
If you experience the condition described above while braking, continue to apply steady pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop. Immediately contact your Subaru retailer for assistance.
If you notice fluid leaking from the vehicle, do not operate the vehicle. Immediately contact your Subaru retailer for assistance.
If the brake system warning light remains illuminated on the instrument panel with the parking brake fully released, do not operate the vehicle. Immediately contact your Subaru retailer for assistance.
Always maintain a safe distance from other vehicles while driving. The normally recommended minimum distance is one car length of space for every 10 mph of speed.
As a precautionary measure, it is highly recommended that you use extra care while operating the vehicle in confined areas such as parking lots and while parking your vehicle in a garage, car port or other structure.
Q: What will be done to the vehicle?
A: Subaru will inspect and test the current condition of your vehicle’s brake lines. If they are found to be acceptable, anti-corrosion material will be applied to the areas of concern as a preventative measure. If any of the lines are found to be unacceptable, they will be replaced and anti-corrosion material will be applied to the new brake lines. These repairs will be performed at no cost to you.
Q: What Subaru models are involved?
A: Some 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback models, some 2009-2013 model year Subaru Forester models, some 2008-2011 model year Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles, and some 2012-2014 model year Subaru Impreza WRX and STI vehicles all of which that currently are or were ever registered in the “salt belt” states and Washington D.C.
Q: What are the 20 affected states?
A: The “salt belt” states are as follows:
Connecticut , Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C.
Q: What determines if my vehicle is part of the salt belt state?
A: States that use salt extensively on the road during the winter months are considered “salt belt” states. This determination is made through the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Q: How much will this recall cost?
A: This recall will be performed free of charge at any authorized Subaru retailer.
Q: If I had a repair already, what should I do?
A: If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would charge for replacement of the recall components. Please send the original service repair order to the address appearing below. (Please retain a photocopy for your records.) The repair order should have the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at time of repair, complete vehicle identification number (17 digits), your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below. This process can take up to 60 days for this to be completed.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Retailer Services Department
Attention: WQK-47 Recall
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Q: Do I have to return to the dealer where I bought the car?
A: Any authorized Subaru retailer will be able to perform this recall free of charge for you.
Q: Can I have this recall performed at an independent repair facility?
A: No, only an authorized Subaru retailer can perform this recall free of charge for you.
Q: How long will this repair take?
A: The time to inspect the brake lines and apply anti-corrosion material is approximately 12 minutes. If it is determined that the brake lines require replacement, the total estimated repair time is 7 hours. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling. Please present this letter to your Subaru retailer at the time this repair procedure is performed.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment?
A:
If you received a notification and are an owner of a 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy or Outback:
Yes. You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment.
If you received a notification and are an owner of a 2009-2013 model year Subaru Forester , 2008-2011 model year Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicle, 2012-2014 model year Subaru Impreza WRX and STI:
Subaru is in the process of acquiring anti-corrosion materials and replacement parts necessary to perform this repair. Once there is a sufficient supply of the anti-corrosion materials and parts to perform this repair, Subaru will re-contact you by mail advising you to proceed with scheduling an appointment with your Subaru retailer (dealer).
Q: If I live in Canada do I have to return to the United States to have this performed?
A: Any authorized Subaru dealership in either the United States or Canada is capable of performing this recall.
Q: If I no longer own the vehicle what should I do?
A: If you no longer own your vehicle, please complete the prepaid postcard enclosed with your notification letter and mail it to us.