WQH-44

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Dealers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: April 25, 2013
Subject: New Subaru Recall Campaign: 2014MY Forester Carpeted Floor Mats
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on
certain 2014MY Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with Genuine Subaru carpeted floor mats. The resin
composition used for the floor mat backing was not manufactured to specification, which can cause the
floor mats to curl when exposed to heat resulting in a potential safety hazard.
This action applies to:
• Affected vehicles with carpeted floor mats sold on or before 4/22/13.
• Affected vehicles in dealer inventory shipped to dealers on or before 4/12/13. Your Region will
provide you with a list of affected VINs currently in your inventory.
• Any affected vehicle replacement carpeted floor mats shipped to dealers on or before 4/24/13.
(p/n J501SSG300)
Description of Safety Hazard
Curling of the drivers floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one or
a combination of the vehicle’s clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. If this were to happen, the driver
might not be able to control the vehicle as desired, possibly resulting in a crash.
Recall code WQH‐44 has been assigned to this recall campaign.
Repair Instructions
To immediately remedy this condition, remove the mats from affected vehicles. Dealers are requested to
quarantine removed mats to ensure they cannot be used in any other vehicle. Return instructions will be
provided in the near future.
Repair Parts
Subaru is currently working both internally and with the supplier to resolve the 2014 Forester Floor Mat
quality issue. It is expected that replacement mat shipments to dealers will begin in early May.
Additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Owner Notification
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on or around 4/26/13. Vehicle owners will be
instructed to immediately remove the driver’s carpeted floor mat from the vehicle and store it for future
return. They will be further advised not to replace it with any of the other mats. A second notification will
be sent when replacement mats become available.