ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2012 MY Impreza (except WRX/STI)
SUBJECT: Occupant Detection System (ODS)
Occupant Control Unit (OCU)

NUMBER: WQT-55
DATE: August 2015
NHTSA ID: 15V-419

INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza vehicles (except WRX/
STI) equipped with a capacitance-type occupant detection system (ODS) in the front passenger seat.
CONDITION
In certain circumstances, such as the use of an iPod or cell phone plugged into the Accessory power outlet by
a front seat passenger when the ODS is on, or a front seat passenger touching a metal part of the vehicle that is
electrically grounded when the ODS is on, the Occupant Control Unit (OCU) of the ODS may falsely identify
an abnormally high rise in the occupant’s capacitance. As a result, the ODS may be deactivated.
Should this condition occur, the Air Bag Warning Light will illuminate and the Passenger Air Bag Indicator
will illuminate “OFF,” providing a visual warning that the air bag system is not operating properly.
Furthermore, the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) will be stored in the vehicle’s memory: B1650,
B1760, and/or B1761.
A Service Bulletin was issued on May 29, 2012 (TSB 17-16-12) to address this issue. However, some vehicles
were not repaired under that protocol. Therefore, Subaru has decided to conduct a recall to replace the OCU
on all potentially affected vehicles. For more information regarding the occupant detection system, please refer
to pages 1-41 through 1-45 of the Owner’s Manual.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT
The Occupant Control Unit (OCU) of the ODS may falsely identify an abnormally high rise in the occupant’s
capacitance, and as a result the ODS may be deactivated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD
Should this condition occur the passenger air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to a front seat
passenger in the event of a crash.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY
A modified OCU will be installed in all potentially affected vehicles at no charge to the customer.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent by first class mail to owners of all potentially affected vehicles. Owner
notification will occur by August 21, 2015. A copy of the letter is included at the end of this bulletin.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Not all vehicles listed below are covered by this recall, and vehicles with claim history of the repair described
in TSB 17-16-12 will not be affected by this recall. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by
using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com. This data is now available.
MODEL YEAR

MODEL

STARTING
PRODUCTION DATE

ENDING
PRODUCTION DATE

2012

Impreza
(except WRX/STI)

April 21, 2011

February 15, 2012

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

Page 1

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office when 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 has been 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 has been 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 followup 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 required to limit the use of these lists for the purpose of completion of this safety
recall.
SUBARU RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected
vehicles in their inventory. Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into
inventory or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has
been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Any vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in the retailer’s stock must be:
•

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 retailer to deliver a new motor
vehicle covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. In addition,
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
will be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.
PARTS INFORMATION
The parts required for this recall are listed below:
PART NUMBER

APPLICABILITY

98321FJ010

2012 Impreza (except WRX/STI) with seat heater

98321FJ020

2012 Impreza (except WRX/STI) without seat heater

Parts are available through normal parts ordering channels. In order to maintain an adequate
part supply, SOA requests that retailers only order quantities necessary to satisfy anticipated
demand.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

Page 2

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Record preset radio stations.
CAUTION:
The airbag system is fitted with a backup power supply. After disconnecting the battery ground
cable, the airbag may operate if you do not wait for 60 seconds before starting the service of
airbag system.
Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
Remove the Passenger Seat assembly (refer to the applicable Subaru Service Manual).
Remove the clip that secures the under-seat fabric covering the OCU and flip the fabric over.

Under-seat fabric

Occupant Control Unit

Disconnect the intermediate body wiring harness connector from the OCU.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

Page 3

CAUTION: Safety glasses should be worn during the removal process.
Carefully remove the Mat Sensor wiring harness connector from the OCU.

NOTE: The Mat Sensor wiring harness is a ribbon type and can be damaged easily if
mishandled.

Remove the OCU from the mounting bracket.
NOTE: The OCU was originally designed to be inseparable from the Seat Bottom; care must
be taken to remove it.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

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Use diagonal pliers and break off the holding portions on the OCU body.
NOTE: Be careful not to cut or distort the bracket.

Use a slight twisting motion to disengage the OCU from the bracket.

Make sure to install the correct OCU according to the seat specifications (with or without seat
heater).

With Seat Heater
Part #: 98321FJ010

Without Seat Heater
Part #: 98321FJ020

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

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NOTE: When installing the new OCU, be extremely careful that the Mat Sensor wiring
harness doesn’t get damaged.
Install the new OCU onto the bracket; make sure it is properly seated (you should hear a
snapping sound).

Connect the intermediate body wiring harness connector to the OCU.

Connect the Mat Sensor wiring harness connector to the OCU.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

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Flip the under-seat fabric back to the original position and install the clip.

Install passenger seat in reverse order of removal.
Connect ground cable to battery.
Check the Airbag Control System to make sure it is operating correctly.
Clear trouble code(s) stored in the ECU (ODS)
Clear trouble code(s) stored in the Air Bag Control ECU
Reset radio stations and set clock.

WARRANTY/CLAIM INFORMATION
LABOR DESCRIPTION

LABOR
OPERATION #

FAIL
CODE

LABOR
TIME

Impreza Occupant Control Unit, Replace

A182-041

WQT-55

0.4

REMINDER: SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service
information as previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at
any time.
Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or
to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS “ISO
14001 COMPLIANT”
The international standard for excellence
in Environmental Management Systems.
Please recycle or dispose of automotive
products in a manner that is friendly to our
environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Continued...
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OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to the VIN identified
in the address section printed below.

Subaru Recall Campaign WQT-55
NHTSA Recall No. 15V-419
August 2015

Dear Subaru Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain
2012 model year Impreza vehicles equipped with a capacitance-type occupant detection system (ODS) in the
front passenger seat.
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD
When a right front seat passenger plugs a cell phone or other device into the accessory power outlet or touches
a metal part of the vehicle that is grounded (such as the seat adjustment lever), the ODS may erroneously
determine that the front passenger seat is unoccupied and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Should this happen, the Air Bag Warning Light will illuminate and the Passenger Air Bag Indicator will
illuminate “OFF”, providing a visual warning that the air bag system is not operating properly.
The passenger air bag will not deploy under these circumstances, increasing the risk of injury to a front seat
passenger in the event of a crash.
REPAIR
Subaru will replace the ODS Occupant Control Unit in your vehicle with a modified one at no cost to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment to have the ODS Occupant Control
Unit replaced. Until this repair is performed, the front seat passenger should avoid the using the accessory power
outlet or contacting any grounded metal parts of the vehicle.
If the Air Bag Warning Light turns on and the Passenger Air Bag Indicator illuminates “OFF”, the right front
seat passenger should move to the rear seat after the vehicle has come to a complete stop in an area where it is
safe to do so.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The time to replace the ODS Occupant Control Unit is approximately 25 minutes. However, it may be necessary
to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru
retailer flexibility in scheduling. Please present this letter to your Subaru retailer at the time this repair procedure
is performed.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August 2015

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CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU?
If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us. Or if
you prefer to update this information online, please go to www.subaru.com, select ‘Customer Support,’ then select
‘Address Update’ or ‘Ownership Update’ from the drop down menu.
IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR:
If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would
charge for the same repair.
Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at
the time of repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and your name, with correct mailing
address and telephone number to the address listed below.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer-Retailer Services Department, Attention: WQT-55 Recall
P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt
to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 60 days for this process to be
completed.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru retailer you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select ‘Find a Retailer.’
For additional information and the most Frequently Asked Questions, please go to:
•

http://www.wqt55.service-campaign.com

If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
•

By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”

•

y telephone: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)
B
Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET
Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET
Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET

•

y U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc., Attn: Customer-Retailer Services Department,
B
P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge.
You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:
1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to
remedy your vehicle without charge within a reasonable amount of time.
Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action
in the interest of your safety and your vehicle’s proper operation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience
this matter may cause and urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have this repair performed.
Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.

Notice to Lessors: Under Federal law the lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter must provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s)

within 10 business days from receipt. The lessor must also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the
applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For the purposes of this section, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve
months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle’s title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A
leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.)

A subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Bulletin Number: WQT-55; Date: August, 2015

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