WQK47-2

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Dealers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: June 10, 2014
Subject: New Subaru Recall Campaign: Brake Line Corrosion WQK‐47
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on the
following affected vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with brake lines that could, over
time, corrode if exposed to salt. To address this condition, a recall campaign will be released within the
next 60 days.
Affected Vehicles
Certain 2005‐2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008‐2011 model year Subaru
Impreza (except WRX and STI) vehicles, 2008‐2014 model year Subaru Impreza WRX and STI vehicles, and
2009‐2013 Subaru Forester vehicles whose owners either currently reside in, or the vehicle has ever been
registered in, at least one of the following “salt‐belt” states or Washington, D.C.
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Description of the Safety Defect
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 brake lines.
Description of the Safety Hazard
Should a brake line corrode to the point of developing a perforation, brake fluid may leak from the line(s).
Since the center and rear brake lines work independently of one another, braking will still be possible if
either (but not both) of the systems fail. The driver will be alerted to a fault in the brake system via
illumination of the brake system warning telltale lamp because the fluid level will drop in the system.
However, failure of either the center or rear brake lines might cause the driver to misjudge the amount of
brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance.
Dealer Program Responsibility
Dealers 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 recall is taken into
dealer new or used inventory, or in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure
the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
New, used, demo or SSLP vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in dealer 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 this Product Campaign Bulletin.
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 Dealer
failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory
(new, used, demo) prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to
$6,000 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.
Repair Instructions and Owner Notification
Subaru is in the process of acquiring materials and replacement parts necessary to remedy the condition.
Repair instructions will be forthcoming.
Subaru will notify potentially affected vehicle owners by first class mail. This is expected to occur within
the next 60 days. Dealers will be advised in advance of the owner notification mailing.
.