Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Dealers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: May 13, 2013
Subject: New Subaru Recall Campaign WQI‐45: 2013MY Legacy/Outback Steering Column
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on
certain 2013MY Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles.
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart below. Please note that not all vehicles within
the VIN range are affected. Recall coverage for all potentially affected vehicles must be confirmed by
using Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in Subarunet.
Model
2013

Legacy

FROM

TO

D*002001

D*003605

2013 Outback
D*200001 D*204233
*Various Characters may occupy this position
Description of the Safety Defect and Safety Hazard
The steering column in affected vehicles may not have been manufactured to specification. During the
manufacturing process, the steering column shafts may not have been “press‐fitted” sufficiently. This
could allow the shafts to disengage. If this were to happen, the driver would lose the ability to steer the
vehicle and a crash could occur.
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:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ

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 & 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.

Continued…

Repair Instructions
The WQI‐45 Repair Procedure Bulletin will be posted later today on the Techinfo.Subaru.com website
under “What’s New”, Title: “Repair Procedure for WQI45 Steering Column”. In addition to repair
instructions, the bulletin contains part and claim entry information.
The final WQI‐45 Campaign Bulletin will be available in the future.
Repair Parts
Repair parts to correct affected new vehicles currently in dealer inventory are in the process of being
shipped and should begin arriving at dealers on or before 5/16. For additional parts required to correct
other affected vehicles in dealer inventory, please order parts through normal channels. Please refer to
the “Repair Procedure for WQI45 Steering Column” bulletin posted on STIS for part number information.
There is an adequate supply of repair parts available for both vehicles in new car inventory and previously
sold units.
Owner Notification
Subaru expects to notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail within the next 15 days. Dealers will be
advised in advance of owner notification.