SubaruNet Announ

Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: January 4, 2024
UPDATE Safety Recall: WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure
Owner Re-Notification
Affected vehicle owners were previously notified by first class mail on September 16, 2022. Subaru has
obtained updated owner registration information, and will re-notify affected vehicle owners who have
not yet had this safety recall performed, on January 11, 2024.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX
STI vehicles, which may contain a defective backup lamp switch.
Description of the Defect and Safety Risk
The operating environment of the backup lamp switch may expose the internal switch contacts to
heated oil. When heated, sulfur in the oil may cause a chemical reaction with the materials used on the
switch terminal contact surfaces and plate spring. This chemical reaction may cause corrosion and a
non-conductive film to form on the contacts resulting in poor electrical conductivity.
Over time, the backup lamp switch may become inoperative which may result in the backup lamps not
illuminating when in reverse gear, the rear-view camera (if equipped) not displaying an image, and the
select lever/gear position indicator in the combination meter not displaying ‘R’ for reverse gear.
If the backup lamps do not illuminate when the vehicle is in reverse gear, this may reduce the awareness
of other motorists or road users of the driver's intention to operate the vehicle in reverse, increasing the
risk of a crash. Additionally, a rear-view camera (if equipped) that does not display an image can reduce
the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will conduct an inspection and replace the backup
lamp switch with improved one, if necessary, at no cost to the customer.
Affected Vehicles
A total of 59,934 U.S. WRX STI vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below:
Model Year
2015-2021
Carline
WRX STI
Production Date Range
November 14, 2013 – October 21, 2021
Not all vehicles in the production range listed above are affected by this recall. Coverage must be
confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair.
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:
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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.
Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions
Please refer to the WRE-22 Product Campaign bulletin on STIS for detailed information.