SubaruNet Announ

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: November 6, 2023
UPDATE Safety Recall: WRN-23 Propeller Shaft Center Brace Mounting Surfaces
Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions
Please be advised that the parts for this recall are now available. Therefore, the WRN23 recall coverage
status for the affected VINs will be updated to ‘Open’ tomorrow, November 7, to allow for repairs to
begin on affected vehicles presented for other services prior to owner notification.
For detailed service, parts, and claim instructions, please refer to the WRN23 Product Campaign Bulletin
which will also be available on STIS tomorrow.
Owner Notification
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on November 20, 2023. A copy of the
notification letter will be included in the WRN-23 bulletin.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2023 model year Outback,
Legacy, Ascent and Impreza vehicles.
Description of the Defect and Safety Risk
Some mounting surfaces for the propeller shaft center support brace bolts on affected vehicles may
have been inadvertently painted during the supplier’s manufacturing process. If these mounting
surfaces are painted, the support brace bolts may not retain the specified torque.
If the vehicle is driven with the bolt loosened, occupants may experience irregular sounds and/or
vibrations from the propeller shaft area during vehicle operation. In the worst case, if both of the center
support bolts completely come out due to continuous vibration, the front end of the propeller shaft
could separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
For all the potentially affected vehicles, Subaru dealers will clean the bolt seating surfaces of the center
support brace, install new bolts, and tighten to the specified torque at no cost to the customer.
Affected Vehicles
A total of 4,311 U.S. vehicles will be included in this recall as listed below. Not all vehicles in the
production range listed below are affected by this recall. Coverage must be confirmed by using the
Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair.
Model Year
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
Carline
Outback
Legacy
Ascent
Impreza (4-door)
Impreza (5-door)
Production Date Range
March 21, 2023 – March 31, 2023
March 21, 2023 – March 30, 2023
March 20, 2023 – March 29, 2023
March 22, 2023 – March 27, 2023
March 22, 2023 – March 31, 2023
Retailer Responsibility
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 $26,315
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.
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 Product Campaign Bulletin
Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling
or releasing the vehicle.