WTD­65 Stop Sale and Recall ­ Urgent
Additional Information
TO:

SDC EST CEN WST

FROM:

Gary Palanjian

DEPARTMENT: Parts/Service
DATE:

05/11/2016

CATEGORY:

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Urgent request for retailers to re­contact customers owning these cars:
Provided just prior to 4:00 PM ET today.

Inspection and Repair Procedures:
A few updates and changes are included in the updated Inspection and Repair Procedures
document (click here to open that document), specifically:
1.

The date codes referenced do include as No Good (NG) the start date of 2/28/16
(6228) and the end date of 4/16/16 (6416).

2.

If the lot number including this date code is damaged or obscured, please do the
complete repair procedure.

3.

Only the 4 digit date code – e.g. 6228 is required on the repair order, and should also
be entered on the warranty claim under misc. detail.

4.

For H6 models only, we will be supplying a gasket kit for the front exhaust which
needs to be removed. This kit (SOA635143) will include qty. 2 of 44011AG040 and
qty. 1 of 44022AA123. This gasket kit will be force shipped at the same time as the
steering columns for H6 repairs and will be shipped in a separate box from the
steering columns. Note – the steering column box will include the bolt taped
inside.

Stop Sale Units – Loaner Car Reimbursements:
We are also implementing a process to provide for loaner car reimbursement for customers
who are awaiting new car delivery of a stop sale unit. This process is outlined in “loaner car
reimbursement” ­ click here to see the details. Essentially, retailers will need to call their
Parts Information Coordinators and provide the VIN number and customer name for the
sold unit, and then call in with the subsequent sale later.

Parts Supply:
SIA’s supplier is scheduled to start shipping parts to our Lebanon Indiana facility tonight.
We will begin to ship parts to retailers (next day air) tomorrow based upon each retailer’s
sold units. We expect to have up to 9,500 parts received by next Monday May 16 and we
will continue shipping daily first based on sold units and then based on inventory and
pipeline. The Lebanon facility will work through the weekend to keep the parts shipments
flowing. Inbound parts for each retailer will be visible in Retail Parts Management (RPM).
The orders will be special order type / NAM – next day air / PO Number – WTD65. Retailers
will be able to see these orders on RPM – Order Inquiry as soon as the orders are uploaded.
To find their orders if they enter the PO Number – “WTD65” and choose the Order Type
“Special”. They will have to drill down on the order number to see the specific part

“Special”. They will have to drill down on the order number to see the specific part
numbers.

Thanks for your ongoing support as we work through this difficult situation.

ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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

© 2016 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2016-2017MY Legacy and Outback
Inspection and Repair Procedure
for Stop Sale / Recall Campaign
WTD-65: Steering Column

NUMBER: WTD-65R
DATE: 05/10/16
REVISED: 05/18/16

IMPORTANT: For additional information on the WTD-65R Stop Sale Notice, refer to the various
Subarunet messages released since 5/9. A complete Product Campaign Bulletin will be released shortly.
This bulletin is to inform Subaru retailers of the inspection and repair procedures only.
This Service Procedure provides an inspection method for identification of affected vehicles and if
determined necessary, additional steps for replacing the steering column assembly.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE:
•

Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry
function on subarunet.com. This data is now available.

•

Locate the lot number label at the base of the steering column located just above the toe board
grommet as shown in the photo below.
VERY IMPORTANT:
For KEY START models, the label will
have a large “02” as shown in the photo.
For PUSH START models, the label will
have a large “03”.
The steering columns are NOT interchangeable.

Continued...
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.

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
ISO 14001 COMPLIANT
ISO 14001 is 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.

Bulletin Number: WTD-65R; Revised: 05/18/16

Page 1

•
•
•

Decode the lot number of the steering column using the illustration below.
Affected steering columns will have a lot number label indicating the column was produced on
or between 6228 (February 28, 2016) and 6416 (April 16, 2016), the steering column assembly
must be replaced.
If the lot number is illegible or otherwise cannot be determined, it must be noted on the repair
order and the steering column assembly must be replaced.
EXAMPLE:
Production Date
3/17/2016

•

IMPORTANT: Always record the original lot number on the Repair Order even if it is outside
the affected range. The ORIGINAL 4-digit lot number must also be entered in the Miscellaneous Detail field when submitting for claim reimbursement. If illegible, enter “ILLEGIBLE”
in that field.

PARTS INFORMATION:
Description
COLUMN ASSEMBLY
BOLT (shear)*
WTD65 STEERING COLUMN
SHAFT GASKET KIT**

Part Number
34500AL02A
34500AL03A
83140GA000

Applicability
Key Start
Push-Button Start
All

Quantity
1
1
1

SOA635143

H-6 Models Only

1

* One new shear bolt is included with the replacement steering column assembly.
**The SOA635143 kit is comprised of: 2- 44011AG040 and 1- 44022AA123 exhaust gaskets.
The SOA635143 kit will be shipped in a separate package concurrent with the steering column shipment.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
After performing the Inspection procedure, if determined necessary, replace the steering column
assembly following the Service Procedure provided below.
CAUTION: Refer to the “CAUTION” Section in the General Description portion of Airbag
System AB in the Body Section of the applicable Service Manual before handling any airbag module!
•

Before proceeding with disassembly, unlock the tilt lever (1), adjust the tilt position of the
steering column to the neutral position (2), adjust the telescopic position to the longest position
(3) and place the lock lever back into the “locked” position (4).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTD-65R; Revised: 05/18/16

Page 2

•
•
•
•

Record the customer’s radio station presets (and Navigation Favorites where applicable).
Confirm the status of STARLINK Telematics lamp (where applicable). If the Green LED is on,
press the RED SOS button to confirm an operator answers. Inform the Operator this is only a
test.
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery sensor and wait at least 60 seconds before
proceeding.
Using a plastic trim tool, remove the instrument panel end cover.

•

Remove the data link connector, release the 3 retaining clips and remove the lower the
instrument panel under cover.

•

Remove the necessary screws, release the claws and disconnect the harness connectors from
the switches before CAREFULLY removing the instrument panel lower trim cover.
NOTE: When removing the cover, pull it straight back toward you as shown in the
illustration below. Do not pull / turn it upward as doing so may damage the retaining claws.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WTD-65R; Revised: 05/18/16

Page 3

OK

NG

•

Remove the knee guard.

•

With the wheels pointed straight ahead and using a hexagon wrench (or equivalent) wrapped
with protective tape, locate and press on the snap pins to release the locks (three locations)
securing the driver’s airbag module.

•

CAREFULLY, release / remove the 2 airbag module harness connectors and set the module
aside in a safe place.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTD-65R; Revised: 05/18/16

Page 4

•
•

•

Using a steering wheel puller to prevent deforming the steering wheel, remove the steering
wheel.
Using a plastic trim tool, CAREFULLY release the retaining claws and remove the upper and
lower steering column trim covers.

After disconnecting all the wiring harness connectors, CAREFULLY remove the roll connector,
steering angle sensor and the combination switch assemblies. IMPORTANT: Do not disturb the
postion of the roll connector while removed from the steering column. As shown in the photo,
use a piece of tape to keep it in alignment while removed.
IF the roll connector position is changed, the center position adjustment procedure provided
below must be performed during reassembly.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTD-65R; Revised: 05/18/16

Page 5

Center Position Adjustment Procedure (Use only if roll connector position changed):
CAUTION: Do not rotate the roll connector to more than the specified number of turns.
Otherwise, the roll connector internal wire may be broken. When determining the end stop,
rotate the connector slowly without applying excessive force. Applying excessive force at the
end stop may also break the internal wire.
1) Confirm the front wheels are positioned in straight ahead direction.
2) Rotate the roll connector counter-clockwise until it stops.
3) Rotate the roll connector clockwise approximately 2.5 turns until the “Δ” marks are
aligned.
NOTE: When the roll connector comes to the center position, the orange roller (b) can be seen
from the sight glass (a) as shown below.

•
•
•

Remove the engine under cover assembly.
On H-6 models, remove the front exhaust pipe assembly following the procedure below:
On H-4 models, proceed to “All Models Continued” below.

Front Pipe Removal Procedure for H-6 Models:
CAUTION: The exhaust system may be HOT.