WQR-53U

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: December 18, 2015
Subject: Update: Front Passenger Air Bag Inflators WQR-53 (2005-2008 Legacy and Outback vehicles)
The WQR-53 recall is being expanded to include all 2005-2008 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
This is an expansion from the current WQP-51 limited regional recall for certain 2005 model year Legacy
and Outback vehicles, to a national recall for all 2005-2008 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
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.
Affected Vehicles
Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on
subarunet.com. This data is scheduled to be available by Monday, December 21, 2015.
Model Year
2005*
2005*
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
Model
Legacy
Outback
Legacy
Outback
Legacy
Outback
Legacy
Outback
*All 2005 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles previously affected by the WQP-51 recall that were not
yet repaired will be transferred into to the WQR-53 national recall. Any open WQP-51 coverage for
affected 2005 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles will be expired. Any WQP-51 claim submitted
after the expiration of the WQP-51 coverage should be submitted under the WQR-53 recall.
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:


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 Bulletin
The WQR-53 Product Campaign Bulletin will be updated on STIS in the near future to reflect this
expansion. In the meantime, please refer to the Service Procedures described in the WQP-51 bulletin for
the 2005 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
Limited Parts Availability
We are currently experiencing a parts shortage. SOA requests that retailers only order quantities
necessary to satisfy anticipated demand. Orders will be monitored by SOA Parts for reasonableness based
on AOR assigned VIN population.
As a reminder, if a customer requests a loaner car due to the insufficient supply of parts, retailers should
make every effort to comply with this request, and should follow normal warranty procedures to obtain
reimbursement for the loaner car. See Section 8.4.7 of the Claims Policies and Procedures Manual on
subarunet.com for details on rental authorizations.
Owner Notification
Due to the parts shortage, interim notification letters will be mailed to all affected owners advising them
of the recall. This will occur in January, 2016. As parts supply improves, second owner notification letters
will be mailed in phases based on the vehicle’s registration history (high absolute humidity areas first) and
age of the inflator (oldest to newest).