WQP-51RA

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: January 13, 2015
Update: Subaru Recall Campaign: Front Passenger Air Bag Inflators WQP‐51
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Regional recall number WQP‐51 will supersede regional recall number WQM‐49
WQP‐51 is a geographic expansion of WQM‐49
WQM‐49 recall coverage will be expired in the system on January 14, 2015
Any WQM‐49 claims not yet submitted should be submitted as WQP‐51 claims
On December 1, 2014, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) announced a limited regional recall of certain model
year 2003‐2005MY Subaru Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles, and certain 2004‐2005MY Subaru Impreza
(including WRX/STI) vehicles, that are currently or have ever been registered in the following areas of high
absolute humidity: Florida, the counties of Georgia adjacent to Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi
and Texas. This is a geographic expansion of the current WQM‐49 limited regional recall.
The air bag inflators in the front passenger air bags for these vehicles could be susceptible to rupture and
the front passenger air bag could deploy abnormally in a crash. The cause of the potential for ruptured
inflators and the influence of high absolute humidity are under investigation.
Owner Notification
Owner notification will occur on January 14, 2015. In addition to notification by postal mail, vehicle
owners with a valid email address and MySubaru subscribers will be notified electronically. A copy of the
owner notification letter will be included at the end of the WQP‐51 campaign bulletin.
Retailer affected VIN Lists will be distributed by the Zone Offices. Retailers are requested to order parts
to support scheduled customer service appointments.
Affected Vehicles
Not all vehicles within the following production date ranges are covered by this recall. Coverage for all
affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com.
This data will be available when owner notification begins.
Model Year
2003
2004
2005
2003
2004
2005
2003
2004
2005
2004
2005
Model
Legacy
Legacy
Legacy
Outback
Outback
Outback
Baja
Baja
Baja
Impreza, WRX, STI
Impreza, WRX, STI
Starting production date
2/18/2003
3/17/2003
2/23/2004
2/18/2003
3/13/2003
2/6/2004
2/18/2003
4/7/2003
3/16/2004
1/28/2003
2/11/2004
Ending production date
6/6/2003
3/1/2004
1/26/2005
6/11/2003
3/15/2004
10/6/2004
6/6/2003
7/21/2004
10/27/2004
2/13/2004
12/10/2004
Geographical Expansion
The earlier regional recall included vehicles with registration history in: Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Consistent with other automotive manufacturers involved in regional recalls of Takata front passenger air
bag inflators, Subaru’s new regional recall will include additional areas of high absolute humidity based on
the annual mean dew point temperature of 60.0 degrees Fahrenheit or more, and locations within 125
miles of these areas.
This regional recall will include certain 2003‐2005MY Subaru Legacy, Outback and Baja vehicles, and
certain 2004‐2005MY Subaru Impreza (including WRX/STI) vehicles, currently or previously registered in
the following locations:
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The following States and U.S.
Territories:
o Florida
o Hawaii
o Puerto Rico
o U.S. Virgin Islands
o Guam
o Saipan
o American Samoa
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The counties of Georgia which are
adjacent to Florida
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The coastal areas of:
o Alabama
o Louisiana
o Mississippi
o Texas
Description of the Safety Hazard
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of an affected passenger frontal air bag, the inflator
could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants.
Description of the Remedy
The front passenger air bag inflator will be replaced.
Retailer Program Responsibility
Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their
inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory, or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been
made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Any vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be:
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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 the Product Campaign Bulletin, which
will be issued shortly.
Product Campaign Bulletins
The WQP‐51 product campaign bulletin will be posted tomorrow on the Subaru Technical Information
System (STIS) website under “Information/What’s New.” In addition, a revised WQM‐49 product
campaign bulletin will be posted, with reference to the new recall.
Please refer to these bulletins for repair instructions and additional information including parts
information, part return procedures, and claim submission instructions.