Subaru recall: Exterior lighting
What is wrong
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
What could happen
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
The fix
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Vehicles covered
- Subaru B9 Tribeca 2012
- Subaru Forester 2009–2012
- Subaru Legacy 2010–2011
- Subaru Outback 2010–2011
- Subaru Tribeca 2006–2011
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 12V602000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Subaru Of America, Inc.
- Reported to NHTSA
- Dec 26, 2012
- Owners notified
- Feb 19, 2013
- Vehicles or items affected
- 633,842
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- –
- Part
- Exterior lighting
- Maker's own recall number
- WQE-41
Notes
Subaru's recall campaign number is WQE-41.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Subaru recall: Suspension Oct 19, 2026
- Subaru recall: Equipment Jul 7, 2026
- Subaru recall: Visibility May 28, 2026
- Subaru recall: Structure Dec 18, 2025
- Subaru recall: Child seat Jun 19, 2025
- Subaru recall: Wheels Jan 23, 2025
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.