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
NUMBER: WQK-47R
APPLICABILITY: 2005-2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback
2009-2013 Subaru Forester
DATE: July 2014
2008-2011 Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI REVISED: December 23, 2014
2012-2014 Subaru WRX and STI
NHTSA ID: 14V-311
SUBJECT: Brake Line Corrosion
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle
safety, exists on certain 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles, 20092013 Subaru Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles, and
2012-2014 Subaru WRX and STI vehicles currently or formerly registered in at least one of
the “salt-belt” states listed below or in the District of Columbia.
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa

Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin

These vehicles may have been manufactured with brake lines that could, over time, corrode
in the area of the four-way joint connector or in the areas where there are no resin covers
installed if exposed to salt, such as salt used to treat roads in the winter time. Excessive
corrosion could eventually cause perforation of a brake line(s) resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Should a brake line corrode to the point of developing a perforation, brake fluid will leak from
the line(s) causing the related circuit to eventually lose effectiveness. In this situation, there
would be an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance and foot pressure required
to slow or stop the vehicle. This might cause the driver to misjudge the amount of brake
pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
This recall will involve cleaning, inspecting and testing the brake lines for perforation. If
no leaks are found, as a preventative measure it will be necessary to apply an anti-corrosion
material to the areas of concern. If any of the brake lines are found to be leaking, all four
brake lines on the vehicle will require replacement.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
The affected vehicles include certain: 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback
vehicles; 2009-2013 Subaru Forester vehicles; 2008-2011 Subaru Impreza, WRX, and STI
vehicles; and 2012-2014 Subaru WRX and STI vehicles currently or formerly registered in at
least one of the “salt-belt” states or the District of Columbia.
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range charts below. NOTE: Not all vehicles
within the VIN ranges are affected. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by
using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQK-47R; Revised: December 23, 2014

Page 1

MODEL

Legacy &
Outback

Forester

Impreza

MY

CARLINE(S)

START VIN
(last 8 digits)

END VIN
(last 8 digits)

2005

Legacy & Outback

5*200001

5*393924

2006

Legacy & Outback

6*200001

6*364201

2007

Legacy & Outback

7*200001

7*346352

2008

Legacy & Outback

8*200001

8*367431

2009

Legacy & Outback

9*200001

9*348625

2009

Forester

9*700001

9*797855

2010

Forester

A*700001

A*918317

2011

Forester

B*700001

B*783898

2012

Forester

C*400001

C*470750

2013

Forester

D*400001

D*446782

2008

4 -Door (except STI)

8*500001

8*530288

2008

5 -Door (except STI)

8*800001

8*838495

2008

5 -Door (STI)

8L809673

8L837138

2009

4 -Door (except STI)

9*500001

9*522884

2009

5 -Door (except STI)

9*800001

9*828092

2009

5 -Door (STI)

9L800020

9L828023

2010

4 -Door (except STI)

A*500001

A*517646

2010

5 -Door (except STI)

A*800001

A*828797

2010

5 -Door (STI)

AL800010

AL826680

2011

4 -Door (except WRX and STI)

B*500001

B*523841

2011

5 -Door (except WRX and STI)

B*800001

B*832332

2011

4 -Door (WRX and STI)

B*500742

B*525817

2011

5 -Door (WRX and STI)

B*801433

B*833719

2012

4 -Door (WRX and STI)

C*002099

C*031281

2012

5 -Door (WRX and STI)

C*200094

C*246471

2013

4 -Door (WRX and STI)

D*002007

D*035278

2013

5 -Door (WRX and STI)

D*200100

D*895579

2014

4 -Door (WRX and STI)

E*002001

E*016827

E*200001

E*270263

2014
5 -Door (WRX and STI)
*Various characters may occupy this position of the VIN.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQK-47R; Revised: December 23, 2014

Page 2

THIS RECALL REPLACES AND UPDATES ANY PREVIOUS ‘WQG-43’ BRAKE
LINE CORROSION RECALL-RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED
This recall replaces and updates SOA’s previous WQG-43 brake line corrosion recall
applicable to some 2005-2009 Legacy and Outback models, issued in May of 2013. In
addition to the repair procedure of the previous WQG-43 recall, this recall includes inspection
and treatment of other areas of the brake lines.
As a result, any incomplete WQG-43 recall applicability will be expired in SOA’s system at
the time WQK-47 affected vehicle data is loaded. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be
confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the WQG-43 brake line corrosion recall repair was already
performed, the WQK-47 recall repair must also be performed to ensure that all affected
areas of the brake lines are acceptable and treated with anti-corrosion material as a
preventative measure.

OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent to owners of vehicles that are currently or were previously
registered in at least one of the “salt-belt” states or the District of Columbia. Owner
notification will begin on July 21, 2014.
To ensure sufficient supply of materials and parts, and to accommodate appointment
scheduling at the retailer level, a phased mailing schedule will be implemented as follows:
•

Owners of affected 2005-2009 Legacy and Outback vehicles will be notified to
schedule an appointment with their Subaru retailer to have this repair performed.

•

Owners of affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles will be notified that
their vehicle is affected by this recall and when sufficient materials and parts are
available, they will be notified again.

•

As sufficient materials and parts become available, owners of affected Forester,
Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles will be notified to schedule an appointment with
their Subaru retailer to have this repair performed. This second notification process
will be based on vehicle age and affected vehicle volumes.

Copies of the Owner Notification Letters are included at the end of this bulletin.

OWNERS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE AFFECTED “SALT-BELT” STATES
Notification letters will only be mailed to owners of vehicles that are currently registered or
were previously registered in at least one of the “salt-belt” states or the District of Columbia.
However, there are circumstances under which vehicles that were not previously or ever
registered in a “salt-belt” state will be covered by this recall campaign. These circumstances
may include:
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQK-47R; Revised: December 23, 2014

Page 3

1. Vehicles not currently or previously registered in a “salt-belt” state that have relocated
into a “salt-belt” area and/or vehicles registered in a “non-salt belt” state, and driven
in a “salt-belt” area: We request that retailers located in “salt-belt” states check all
vehicles within the affected VIN range for recall coverage. If it is determined the
owner of a vehicle within the affected VIN range relocates or uses his or her vehicle
in a “salt-belt” area, the retailer should perform the recall procedure.
2. Vehicles in “non-salt belt” states that have experienced the defect: In the unlikely
event an owner in a “non-salt belt” state experiences the defect or otherwise requests
the procedure be performed on their vehicle, the retailer should perform the recall
procedure. This applies to both “salt-belt” and “non-salt belt” state retailers.
Under such circumstances, the Subaru retailer should perform the recall procedure at
no cost to the customer. For claim submission, please contact the Warranty Helpdesk at
(1-866-SUBARU2) 1-866-782-2782 to have the VIN added to the recall.

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone office around the time
initial owner notification begins. Vehicles will be assigned to retailers in the affected VIN list
as follows:
•

Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling retailer when their current
address is within a 100 mile radius of that retailer.

•

If the original selling retailer is inactive, the VIN will be assigned to the nearest active
retailer.

•

For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the
original selling retailer, the VIN will be assigned to the nearest active retailer.

Important: Retailer affected VIN lists include owner name and address information for
vehicles affected by this recall. This information will enable retailers to follow-up with
owners of potentially affected vehicles. The lists contain owners’ names and addresses
obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle
registration data for any other purpose is unlawful. Accordingly, retailers are urged to
limit the use of these lists to the purpose of completion of this safety recall.

SUBARU RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Subaru retailers 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 the retailer’s new or used
inventory or into the retailer 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 (Subaru Service Loaner Program) vehicles listed in a recall/
campaign that are in the retailer’s stock must be:
•

Immediately identified

Bulletin Number: WQK-47R; Revised: December 23, 2014

Continued...
Page 4

•

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 retailer 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 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 $7,000 per violation (e.g., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will
also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.

SPECIAL TOOLS INFORMATION
During the week of July 21, 2014, all retailers will receive one spray gun and one nozzle at
no charge to perform this recall. Additional spray guns and nozzles will be available on a
limited basis, therefore they will be on hold in the SOA Parts system. Please contact the Parts
Information Coordinators at (1-866-SUBARU2) 1-866-782-2782 for additional information.
PART NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

SOA635134

WQK-47 Spray Gun (does not include nozzle)

SOA635135

WQK-47 Nozzle

PARTS INFORMATION
The parts required for this recall are:
•

Nox-Rust® 712AM rust-proofing material (for all affected vehicles)

•

Self-locking nut kit (for all affected vehicles except Legacy and Outback).

Nox-Rust® 712AM Rust-proofing Material:
Exposure Controls for use of Nox-Rust® 712AM: The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
which provides storage and handling procedures for this product is included at the end of this
bulletin.
The WQK-47 rust-proofing material comes in one liter bottles, packed in a case of 10 bottles.
Each one liter bottle contains enough material to treat 9 vehicles.
During the week of July 21, 2014, retailers located in the “salt-belt” states will automatically
be shipped one case (10 bottles) of rust-proofing material. This will provide enough material
to treat 90 vehicles. It will be necessary for retailers located outside of affected “salt-belt”
states to order rust-proofing material as needed.
Additional quantities of the rust-proofing material will be available through the “Genuine
Subaru Automotive Chemical” program starting the week of July 28, 2014. In order to
maintain an adequate part supply, SOA requests retailers only order quantities necessary to
satisfy anticipated demand.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQK-47R; Revised: December 23, 2014

Page 5

For parts ordering purposes, retailers should use the part number listed below. Each case
contains 10 bottles. The part number listed below is for one bottle, however retailers must
order in case quantities of 10.
ORDERING
PART NUMBER

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

CASE/ ORDER
QUANTITY

SOA868V9390

All models

Nox-Rust® 712AM
(one liter bottle) – 9 repairs

10

For claim reimbursement purposes, retailers should use the part number listed below which
represents rust proofing materials sufficient for one vehicle application.
CLAIM
PART NUMBER

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

CLAIM
QUANTITY

SOA635133

All models

Nox-Rust® 712AM Rustproofing material – one repair
(for claim purposes only)

1

Self-locking Nut Kit – required for Impreza, WRX, STI, and Forester models only:
The WQK-47 self-locking nut kit contains two self-locking nuts needed when this recall
repair is performed on Impreza, WRX, STI, and Forester vehicles. Replacement of the two
self-locking nuts to secure the passenger side (right-hand) fuel tank cover will be necessary, as
the nuts removed during the repair are one-time use items and not reusable. NOTE: If brake
piping replacement is determined to be necessary on Impreza and Forester vehicles, two of the
self-locking nut kits (4 nuts total) will be required when reinstalling the fuel tank covers.
The WQK-47 self-locking nut kit is not needed for repairs performed on Legacy and Outback
vehicles.
During the week of July 21, 2014, retailers located in affected “salt-belt” states will
automatically be shipped 50 self-locking nut kits. This provides enough self-locking nut kits
for the inspection of 50 vehicles. It will be necessary for retailers located outside of affected
“salt-belt” states to order self-locking nut kits as needed.
Additional quantities of the WQK-47 self-locking nut kits will be available through normal
parts ordering channels starting the week of July 28, 2014. In order to maintain an adequate part
supply, SOA requests retailers only order quantities necessary to satisfy anticipated demand.
For parts ordering and claim purposes, retailers should use the part number listed below.
PART NUMBER

42009FG000

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

Impreza, WRX,
WQK-47 Self Lock Nut Kit
STI, and Forester (contains two self-locking nuts)