WQH44
Service Bulletin Details
Public Details for: WQH44
Genuine subaru carpeted floor mats
- 2014 -
Models from 2014
2014 SUBARU FORESTER |
ATTENTION: GENERAL MANAGER PARTS MANAGER CLAIMS PERSONNEL SERVICE MANAGER q q q q IMPORTANT - All Service Personnel Should Read and Initial in the boxes provided, right. PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN APPLICABILITY: 2014MY Subaru Forester SUBJECT: Genuine Subaru Carpeted Floor Mats NUMBER: WQH-44 DATE: June 2013 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. DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY HAZARD Curling of the driver side 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. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash. Recall code WQH-44 has been assigned to this recall campaign. AFFECTED VEHICLES This recall campaign applies to 2014MY Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with Genuine Subaru carpeted floor mats sold on or before 4/22/13. Coverage for all potentially affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function at Subarunet.com. OWNER NOTIFICATION There are two owner notification letters associated with this recall campaign. The first owner notification letter was mailed on April 26, 2013. The letter explains the condition associated with the carpeted floor mats and advises vehicle owners to immediately remove the driver’s mat from the vehicle and store it for future return. It further explains that a second letter will be sent when replacement mats become available. The second owner notification letter advising replacement carpeted floor mats are available will be sent during the week of June 3, 2013. In addition to notification by mail, vehicle owners with a valid email address will be notified electronically on the same date letters are mailed. A copy of both owner notification letters is included at the end of this bulletin. Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 1 DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY Dealers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin 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: • 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 as defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP) 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. PARTS INFORMATION Please Note: The 2014 Forester carpeted floor mat backing material used on the revised mats has changed. The revised mats use a singed needle punch material that is adhered to the back of the floor mat which grips the vehicle’s carpet. Previous style mats used an extruded TPO material that provided a nib pattern on the back of the carpet in order to provide carpet retention. Revised style Previous style Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 2 Each dealer will automatically be sent a quantity of replacement carpeted floor mat sets equivalent to cover all recall vehicles expected at that dealership. Replacement carpeted floor mat sets will be sent to dealers at no charge. Dealers may claim $32.72 in sublet for reimbursement of the parts handling allowance normally included in the MSRP of the floor mat set. Please refer to the Claim Reimbursement section of this bulletin for additional information. PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION J501SSG301 Forester Carpeted Floor Mat Set Please note: Replaced floor mat sets are on automatic warranty parts return and should not be scrapped. A Part Return Notice will be supplied upon claim approval. Please follow the instructions on the Part Return Notice which includes the return address. The following information describes an important and required procedure to follow when preparing a UPS Ground return shipment of the floor mats replaced as part of the WQH-44 recall. When preparing your UPS return shipping label, enter the part number replaced and WQH-44 in the 1st Reference or #1 Reference field. For example: J501SSG301 / WQH-44 REPAIR PROCEDURE Install the replacement floor mats in the appropriate locations. Make sure the driver’s floor mat is placed in its proper location and is correctly secured on the mat retaining pins. • Retaining pins are located on the driver’s side floor as illustrated below. • The floor mat should be properly secured using the built-in grommets by placing the grommets over the pins and pushing them downward. Important: Do not install more than one floor mat in the driver’s side floor position. Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 3 RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL Type or print the necessary information on a Recall identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle’s upper radiator support. WQH-44 Additional labels are available through normal parts ordering channels. The part number is MSA6P1302. Ordering qty 1 = 1 sheet of 20 labels. CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may submit claims through Vehicle Claim Entry on Subarunet.com. Replacement carpeted floor mat sets will be sent to dealers at no charge. However, dealers may claim $32.72 in sublet for reimbursement of the parts handling allowance normally included in the MSRP of the floor mat set. The part number must be entered on the claim. CLAIM TYPE & CAMPAIGN CODE RC WQH-44 LABOR LABOR OPERATION PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION SUBLET AMOUNT FOR PARTS HANDLING A106-340 0.2 hrs. Install Carpeted Floor Mats J501SSG301 Carpeted Floor Mats $32.72 Please note: Replaced floor mat sets are on automatic warranty parts return and should not be scrapped. A Part Return Notice will be supplied upon claim approval. Please follow the instructions on the Part Return Notice which includes the return address. The following information describes an important and required procedure to follow when preparing a UPS Ground return shipment of the floor mats replaced as part of the WQH-44 recall. When preparing your UPS return shipping label, enter the part number replaced and WQH-44 in the 1st Reference or #1 Reference field as shown below. For example: J501SSG301 / WQH-44. Reference #1: J501SSG301 / WQH-44 Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 4 1ST OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER Important Safety Recall Notice Subaru Recall Campaign WQH-44 NHTSA Recall No. 13V-159 April 2013 Dear Subaru Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of 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 some 2014 model year Subaru Forester vehicles. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT Subaru has determined that your vehicle is equipped with 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. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD Curling of the driver side 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. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash. REPAIR In the interest of safety, Subaru is sending this notice to you before replacement mats are available. A second notification letter will be sent to you when replacement mats become available. At that time, Subaru will replace the carpeted floor mat set at no cost to you. PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE You should immediately remove the driver’s carpeted floor mat from the vehicle and store it for future return. Do not replace it with any of the other mats. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The condition described only poses a safety risk when an affected Genuine Subaru carpeted floor mat is installed in the driver’s floor position. Once the mat is removed from the vehicle, the safety risk no longer exists. If your vehicle was delivered without carpeted floor mats installed, this notice does not apply to you. However, you will be notified when replacement floor mats are available for your vehicle. Genuine Subaru All-weather floor mats (rubber, non-carpeted mats) are not affected by this recall. Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 5 CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU? If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us. Or, if you prefer to update this information online, please go to www.subaru.com, select Contact Us then select Update Address from the drop down menu. IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE: To locate the nearest Subaru Dealer you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select “Find a Dealer”. For additional information and for the most Frequently Asked Questions, please go to: • http://www.wqh44.service-campaign.com If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly: • E-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”. • T elephone: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET. Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET • U .S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc. Attn: CDS Department, P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000. Please contact us immediately if the dealer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the dealer 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 to have this repair performed. Sincerely, Subaru of America, Inc. Notice to Lessors: Under Federal law the lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter must provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s) within 10 business days from receipt. The lessor must also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For the purposes of this section, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle’s title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.) A subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Continued... Page 6 2ND OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER Important Safety Recall Notice Subaru Recall Campaign WQH-44 NHTSA Recall No. 13V-159 June 2013 Dear Subaru Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. In April 2013, we notified you that SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in some 2014 model year Subaru Forester vehicles. We informed you that we would send you a second letter when repair parts became available. Those parts are now available. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT Subaru has determined that your vehicle is equipped with 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. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD Curling of the driver side 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. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash. REPAIR To correct this condition, Subaru will replace the carpeted floor mat set at no cost to you. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO You should contact your Subaru dealer and schedule an appointment to have a replacement floor mat set installed. Please present this letter to your Subaru Dealer on the day of your service appointment along with the original floor mats for exchange. PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE If you have not already done so, you should immediately remove the driver’s carpeted floor mat from the vehicle and store it for future return. Do not replace it with any of the other mats. HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE? The actual time to install the carpeted floor mat set is approximately 10 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 dealer flexibility in scheduling. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The condition described only poses a safety risk when an affected Genuine Subaru carpeted floor mat is installed in the driver’s floor position. Once the mat is removed from the vehicle, the safety risk no longer exists. Continued... Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 7 If your vehicle was delivered without carpeted floor mats installed, this notice does not apply to you. However, new carpeted floor mats are now available for your vehicle. Please schedule an appointment with your Subaru dealer. The mats will be installed at no cost to you. Genuine Subaru All-weather floor mats (rubber, non-carpeted mats) are not affected by this recall CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU? If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us. Or, if you prefer to update this information online, please go to www.subaru.com, select Contact Us then select Update Address from the drop down menu. IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE: To locate the nearest Subaru Dealer you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select “Find a Dealer”. For additional information and for the most Frequently Asked Questions, please go to: • http://www.wqh44.service-campaign.com If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly: • E-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”. • T elephone: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET. Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET • U .S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc. Attn: CDS Department, P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000. Please contact us immediately if the dealer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the dealer 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 to have this repair performed. Sincerely, Subaru of America, Inc. Notice to Lessors: Under Federal law the lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter must provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s) within 10 business days from receipt. The lessor must also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For the purposes of this section, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle’s title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.) A subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Bulletin Number: WQH-44; Date: June 2013 Page 8