Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: August 10, 2015
Update: Subaru Recall Campaign: WQU‐56 Propeller Shaft – Bulletin
Please be advised that the product campaign bulletin for WQU‐56 has been posted on STIS. The
bulletin includes detailed information regarding the parts shipments and the repair procedure.

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2015-2016 Legacy and Outback
SUBJECT: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Failure
INTRODUCTION

NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:
NHTSA ID:

WQU-56R
August 2015
August 12, 2015
XXX-XXX

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Not all vehicles listed below are covered 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

2015 & 2016
2015 & 2016

Legacy
Outback

STARTING
PRODUCTION DATE
July 3, 2015
July 3, 2015

ENDING
PRODUCTION DATE
July 25, 2015
July 27, 2015

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD
During the manufacturing process of the propeller shaft that connects to the vehicle’s transmission, the seal
cap and seal located inside the propeller shaft yoke may have been deformed. As a result, the seal may leak
transmission fluid. If the transmission fluid leaks onto an exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY
The propeller shaft assembly will be replaced at no charge.

SUBARU RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
A STOP SALE order has been issued. Any vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in retailer
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.

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their
inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory, or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made
before selling or releasing the vehicle.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Subaru will notify potentially affected vehicle owners by first class mail. This is expected to occur in late
August. Retailers will be advised when owner notification begins. A copy of the owner notification letter will
be added to the end of this bulletin when it is available.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 2015

Page 1

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office prior to owner
notification. Vehicles will be assigned based on the selling retailer information in Subaru’s
system. Retailers should use this information to contact owners to schedule this repair.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts will start to be distributed the week of August 10. It is expected that all parts will be
distributed by the week of August 17. Retailers should not order parts. Parts will be allocated
and shipped based on sold vehicles and retailer inventory.
Detailed information will be posted on subarunet.com as shipments are arranged. If you have
any questions regarding the shipments, please contact the Parts Information Coordinators at
(866)782-2782.
Listed below are the parts required for this repair, and and their applicability. Please be sure
to use the correct parts and quantities for the model being repaired.
DESCRIPTION

PROPELLER SHAFT AY NCV
GASKET CR
GASKET EPF
GASKET EPR
SELF-LOCKING NUT
GASKET FILLER PLUG

PART NUMBER

APPLICATION

QUANTITY

27111AL00A

Legacy H6

1

27111AL01A
27111AL02A
27111AL03A
44022AA123
44011AC030
44011AG040
44011AL000
902350001
803918060

Outback H6
Legacy H4
Outback H4
All
All H4
All H6
All
All
All

1
1
1
1
2
2
1-H4, 2-H6
2-H4, 4-H6
1

NOTE: For the purposes of this campaign, the above listed parts will be shipped in appropri­
ate quantities and combinations with the related propeller shaft assembly. Gaskets and nuts
will be in a separate box packed inside the main box containing the propeller shaft.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
This campaign involves replacement of the propeller shaft assembly. During assembly
of the front slip yoke component of the propeller shaft, the sealing cap may have become
deformed resulting in the possibility of a transmission fluid leak. Fluid leaking from the
deformed sealing cap may leak onto the exhaust system. Because none of the propeller shaft
components are serviceable, the assembly must be replaced. The following information
outlines the procedure for replacing the propeller shaft assembly.
• Before installation, inspect the new propeller shaft for:
◦◦ Dents or cracks on the tube surfaces
◦◦ U-joint bind or abnormal noise
◦◦ Center support bearing for excess free-play, noise or binding
◦◦ Oil seals for wear or damage
• Record the customer’s radio station presets and (navigation system favorites where
applicable).
• Place the select lever in neutral.
• Release the parking brake.
• Disconnect the ground terminal from the battery sensor.
• Raise the vehicle.
• Remove the plastic engine under cover. CAUTION: The exhaust system may be HOT.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 2015

Page 2

•

•

Remove the center exhaust pipe retaining nuts and spring bolts and separate the center
exhaust pipe from the front exhaust pipe assembly. Retain the nuts, springs, and bolts
for later reuse. Use brake parts cleaner to clean the bolt threads if contaminated with
any leaked oil or fluid.
Disconnect the A/F and O2 Sensor wiring harness connectors.
H6

H4

•

Remove the bolt(s) which hold the center exhaust pipe assembly to the hanger
bracket.

•

Remove the nuts holding the front exhaust pipe onto the cylinder heads. Retain these
nuts for reuse.
H6

H4

CAUTION: The front exhaust pipe assembly is heavy and the heat shield edges can be very
sharp. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and care while lifting.
•

Remove the front and center exhaust pipe from vehicle as an assembly.

•

Remove the exhaust pipe heat shield.
CAUTION: The edges of the heat shield can be very sharp. Use appropriate PPE.

•

Apply a thin coat of spray type (NON-SILICONE) lubricant to the mating areas of
cushion rubber(s) to ease pipe disengagement. Remove the bolts and self-locking
nuts securing the muffler(s) to the rear exhaust pipe and remove the rear exhaust pipe.
Retain the bolts for reuse. Use brake parts cleaner to clean the bolt threads of any
residual oil or fluid before installation.

NOTE: The self-locking nuts for the muffler installation and all the exhaust system’s gaskets
are one-time use items.
CAUTION: Where applicable, take precautions to keep the muffler(s) from contacting the
underside of the rear bumper cover.
•

Apply a coating of CVT fluid to the machined surface of the new propeller shaft slip
yoke.

•

Loosen but do not remove the 2 bolts securing the center support of the propeller
shaft.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 2015

Page 3

•

Remove the 4 nuts securing the propeller shaft to the differential input flange.

•

Remove the 2 center support bolts and remove the propeller shaft.

•

Install an extension plug into the back of the transmission or secure a plastic bag to
the extension housing to catch any leaking CVT fluid once the old propeller shaft is
removed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be a very small amount of CVT fluid that will drip out of
the transmission and the slip yoke after removing it from the transmission. Always make sure
to thoroughly clean any fluid residue off of the exhaust system and surrounding components.
•

Remove the plug or bag, insert the new propeller shaft into the extension housing and
install the bolts securing the center support to the body. Torque the bolts to 52 Nm
(38.4 ft. lbs.).

•

If there is a paint mark on the new propeller shaft, align it with the paint mark on the
differential input flange as shown below. Use brake parts cleaner to make sure the 4
propeller shaft bolts and nuts are clean before reinstalling them. Torque the nuts to 31
Nm (22.9 ft. lbs.).

•

Reinstall the heat shield and torque the 4 bolts to 18 Nm (13.3 ft. lbs.).

•

Reinstall the rear exhaust pipe assembly using new rear gasket(s) and self-locking
nuts to secure the muffler(s). Torque the new self-locking nuts to 48 Nm (35.4 ft.
lbs.).

•

Reinstall the front exhaust pipe assembly using new gaskets. Temporarily tighten the
nuts holding the assembly to cylinder heads.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 2015

Page 4

•

Reinstall the bolt(s) which hold the center exhaust pipe to the hanger bracket and
torque to 30 Nm (22.1 ft. lbs.).

•

Torque the nuts at the cylinder heads to 30 Nm (27.1 ft. lbs.). On H6 models, follow
the sequence shown in the illustrations below.

•

Reconnect the A/F and O2 Sensor wiring harness connectors.

•

Re-connect the center exhaust pipe using a new gasket and torque the 2 spring bolt
nuts to 18 Nm (13.3 ft. lbs.).

•

Lower the vehicle.

•

Reconnect the ground terminal to the battery sensor.

IMPORTANT: Inspect the fluid level of the CVT following the procedure below:
◦◦ Start the engine and raise the CVTF temperature to 35-45°C (95-113°F) using
the SSM.
◦◦ Operate the select lever from P → R → N → D and from D → N → R → P to
fully circulate CVTF with the engine at idle.
◦◦ Raise the vehicle again and with the engine at idle, remove the filler plug shown
in the illustrations below.
CAUTION: The exhaust system may be HOT.

◦◦ The CVT fluid level is correct when it is up to bottom of the filler plug hole.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 2015

Page 5

◦◦ If necessary, adjust the fluid level.
◦◦ Install a new filler plug gasket and torque to 50 Nm (36.9 ft. lbs.).
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS check for any residual CVT fluid which may have dripped
onto the exhaust or other components during reassembly or the fluid level inspection and
thoroughly wipe it clean.
•

Reinstall the plastic engine under cover.

•

Lower the vehicle.

•

Reset the customer’s radio station presets and (navigation system favorites
where applicable).

•

Road test the vehicle to verify smooth operation and no fluid leakage.

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed
repair order information. Retailers may submit claims through Vehicle Claim Entry
on Subarunet.com.
CAMPAIGN CODE

CLAIM TYPE

LABOR OPERATION

LABOR TIME

WQU-56

RC

137-260

0.5

NOTE: If needed, 1 quart of CVT fluid (SOA635043 for H4 models or SOA635049 for H6
models) may be claimed for this repair when topping off the transmission.

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: WQU-56R; Revised: August 12, 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.

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