WRA-21R

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
q
PARTS MANAGER
q
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.
SERVICE MANAGER
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© 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
2021MY Outback 2.5L
		
2021MY Impreza
SUBJECT:
NUMBER: WRA-21R
CVT Select Lever Cable Nut- Low Torque
DATE:
01/21/21
REVISED:
02/01/21
NHTSA ID: 21V-024
INTRODUCTION:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 model year Outback and Impreza vehicles
in which the CVT select lever cable nut may have been under-torqued during vehicle assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK:
If the CVT select lever cable nut was not properly torqued and loses retention, the gear select may not
function properly. If the gear select does not function properly, there is an increased risk of a crash.
AFFECTED VEHICLES:
The number of U.S. vehicles affected by this recall is 383.
Not all vehicles listed below are included in this recall. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be
confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com. This information will
be available today.
Model Year
Carline
Quantity
Production Date Range
2021
Outback
314
12/11/2020 – 12/18/2020
2021
Impreza
69
12/11/2020 – 12/18/2020
DESCRIPTION OF THE REPAIR:
Subaru retailers will check the torque of the CVT select lever cable nut, and if necessary, apply the
proper torque at no charge to the customer.
RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY:
Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be:
•
•
•
Immediately identified
Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair
Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Bulletin
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.
Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
Page 1 of 9
Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles
in their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this safety
recall is taken into inventory or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the repair has
been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Please be sure to download a copy of your complete inventory report from the Vehicle Inventory
Dashboard available on subarunet.com to identify any vehicles with open recalls that may be in your
retail, CPO, and SSLP inventory.
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle
covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized
Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles
in their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up
to $21,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will also be in
breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Owner notification letters will be mailed in February 2021. Retailers will be notified when owner
notification begins.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
This Service Procedure involves confirmation of the tightening torque applied to the select cable
adjusting nut. The nut in question is located on the end of the select lever cable on the underside of
the vehicle. To access the adjusting nuts, the center exhaust cover will need to be removed.
•
On IMPREZA models, the rear exhaust pipe and muffler need to be removed for exhaust cover
removal.
•
On OUTBACK models, the exhaust cover can be lowered and carefully slid toward the rear of
the vehicle enough to gain access to the adjusting nuts.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS:
•
Always be careful when working with hot exhaust components to avoid burns.
•
The exhaust cover has sharp edges which may cause cuts / abrasions.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Carline
Impreza
Description
Part Number
Qty. Required
GASKET-EXHAUST PIPE REAR
44022AA123
1
GASKET A
44011FL00A
1
SELF-LOCKING NUT
902330011
2
*In the VERY RARE case where the nut is missing, the part number is 33058GA010.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
Page 2 of 9
IMPREZA SERVICE PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Using a small screwdriver, CAREFULLY press down to release the shift lock and move the
select lever into the NEUTRAL position.
Step 2: Raise the vehicle, separate the front and rear exhaust pipe at the spring bolt joint. as shown in
Fig. 1 below. Separate the muffler from the rear exhaust pipe as shown in Figs. 2 & 3 and remove the
rear exhaust pipe following the procedure in the applicable Service Manual.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 (4-Door)
Fig. 3 (5-Door)
NOTES:
•
The 2 muffler retaining nuts and both exhaust pipe gaskets are 1-time use items and MUST be
replaced during reassembly.
•
Use CAUTION to not allow the muffler to contact the bumper cover when separating the
exhaust.
•
TIP: Use a spray lubricant on the rubber exhaust hangars to make removing them from the
exhaust components easier.
Step 3: CAREFULLY loosen and remove the retaining hardware and the center exhaust cover to
gain access to the select cable adjustment.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
Page 3 of 9
Step 4: With the center exhaust cover removed, locate the select cable adjusting nuts as shown below.
Step 5: Using the illustration below as a guide, confirm the select cable adjustment and proper torque
of adjustment nut (G):
5a) Loosen the rear adjusting nut (G) while holding the front adjusting nut (E) with a wrench.
5b) With (G) loosened, turn the front adjusting nut (E) until it lightly touches the contact point (F)
on the connector pin (D).
5c) Tighten the rear adjusting nut (G) against the connector pin (D).
5d) While holding the front adjusting nut (E) with a wrench, torque the rear adjusting nut to 7.5 Nm 		
(5.5 ft. lbs. / 66 inch-lbs.).
Step 6: IMPORTANT: After adjustment is complete, confirm the select lever operates normally in
all ranges.
Step 7: Reassemble removed components in reverse order. The torque specs for both the exhaust
cover nuts and the front to rear exhaust pipe spring bolt connection nuts are: 18 Nm (13.3 ft. lbs.).
The rear muffler flange retaining nut torque is 48 Nm (35.4 ft. lbs.).
REMINDER: ALWAYS use new exhaust gaskets and two (2) new self-locking nuts on the muffler
flange joint.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
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OUTBACK SERVICE PROCEDURE:
Step 1: CAREFULLY remove the rubber mat from the center tray ahead of the selector.
Step 2: Using a small screwdriver, CAREFULLY press down to release the shift lock and move the
select lever into the NEUTRAL position.
Step 3: Raise the vehicle and CAREFULLY loosen and remove the retaining hardware and the
center exhaust cover to gain access to the select cable adjustment. REMINDER: The exhaust does
not need to be removed on OUTBACK models.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
Page 5 of 9
Step 4: With the center exhaust cover removed, locate the select cable adjusting nuts as shown below.
Step 5: Using the illustration below as a guide, confirm the select cable adjustment and proper torque
of adjustment nut (G):
5a) Loosen the rear adjusting nut (G) while holding the front adjusting nut (E) with a wrench.
5b) With (G) loosened, turn the front adjusting nut (E) until it lightly touches the contact point (F)
on the connector pin (D).
5c) Tighten the rear adjusting nut (G) against the connector pin (D).
5d) While holding the front adjusting nut (E) with a wrench, torque the rear adjusting nut to 7.5 Nm
(5.5 ft. lbs. / 66 inch-lbs.).
Step 6: IMPORTANT: After adjustment is complete, confirm the select lever operates normally in
all ranges.
Step 7: Reassemble removed components in reverse order. The torque specs for both the exhaust
cover nuts is 18 Nm (13.3 ft. lbs.).
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Credit to perform this recall will be based on properly completed repair order information. Retailers
may submit claims through Subarunet.com.
Labor Description
WRA-21 Select Cable Adjustment Nut- IMPREZA
WRA-21 Select Cable Adjustment Nut- OUTBACK
Labor
Operation #
A133-828
Labor
Time
0.5
0.3
Fail Code
WRA-21
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
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SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL:
Type or print the necessary information on a Campaign Identification Label. The completed label
should be attached to the vehicle’s upper radiator support. Additional labels are available through
normal parts ordering channels. The part number is MSA6P1302, which comes as one sheet of 20
labels.
WRA-21
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•
SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously
released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.
•
Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.
•
Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
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URGENT
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to the VIN identified in
the address section printed below
Subaru Safety Recall WRA-21
NHTSA ID 21V-024
February 2021
Dear Subaru Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain
2021 model year Outback and 2021 model year Impreza vehicles.
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
The transmission gear select lever cable nut may have been under-torqued during vehicle assembly. If this nut
loses retention, the gear select may not function properly. If the gear select does not function properly, there is
an increased risk of a crash.
WHAT SUBARU WILL DO
Subaru will check the torque of the transmission gear select lever cable nut, and if necessary, apply the proper
torque at no cost to you.
What You Should Do
Please contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) immediately for an appointment to have this repair performed, at
no cost to you.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The actual time for this repair is approximately 30 minutes. 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. For your convenience, your retailer may provide you with a loaner or rental vehicle, at no cost to you.
IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR
If you have already paid for repairs associated with this coverage, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would charge
for the same repair.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
Page 8 of 9
Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at
the time of repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Advocacy Department, Attention: WRA-21 Recall
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877
Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will
attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 60 days for this
process to be completed.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru retailer, you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select ‘Find a
Retailer.’
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
• By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”
• By telephone: 1-844-373-6614
Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET
• By U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc.
Attn: Customer Advocacy Department
P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877
To subscribe to the NHTSA Recall Notification email System, please go to: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/
subscriptions.
Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of
charge.
You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New
Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:
1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to
remedy your vehicle without charge within a reasonable amount of time.
Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this
action in the interest of your safety and your vehicle’s proper operation. We sincerely apologize for any
inconvenience this matter may cause and urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.
A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION
Bulletin Number: WRA21; Revised: 02/01/21
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