ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

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

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2019 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

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PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2013-2017 Crosstrek
2014-2016 Forester
2008-2016 Impreza 4-door
2012-2016 Impreza 5-door

2008-2014 WRX 4-door
SUBJECT:

NUMBER: WUE-90R
NHTSA ID: 19V-149
DATE: 04/09/19
REVISED: 05/08/19

Brake Lamp Switch Replacement

INTRODUCTION:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles
to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall.
AFFECTED VEHICLES:
Model Years

Carline

Production Date Range

Vehicle count

2013-2017

Crosstrek

May 17, 2012 – June 13, 2017

363,566

2014-2016

Forester

December 18, 2012 – April 28, 2016

526,941

2008-2016

Impreza 4-door

April 26, 2007 – October 28, 2016

162,744

2012-2016

Impreza 5-door

April 28, 2011 – October 3, 2016

210,553

2008-2014

WRX 4-door

April 26, 2007 – January 15, 2014

39,726

Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function
on subarunet.com. Please be advised that the status of this recall will display as “Open – Remedy
Not Yet Available” until the parts and special tools to perform this repair are available. On April 16,
2019, the status of this recall will be updated from “Open- Remedy Not yet Available” to “Open” for
all affected vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK:
Silicone gas, potentially introduced to the vehicle through various consumer goods, may seep into the
brake lamp switch housing on the affected vehicles. If silicone gas is present in the switch housing
during contact closure, silicon dioxide may form a deposit layer on the switch contact terminal.
If this layer accumulates, the switch contact may lose conductivity, which may result in a loss of
function.
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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WUE-90R; Revised: 05/08/19

Page 1 of 11

If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly, a trailing vehicle may be unable to recognize the
braking operation, which may increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY:
Subaru retailers will replace the brake lamp switch on all affected vehicles, with a remedied one.
RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY:
Once the parts and special tools are available to perform this repair, retailers are to promptly perform
the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory.
Any vehicles (new, used, demo, SSLP, etc.) 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 repair.

•

Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign
Bulletin, once the parts and tools are available.

Until the parts and special tools are available, this recall cannot be performed. If an affected vehicle
is in for service, please inform the owner that their vehicle is affected by this recall and that remedy
parts are not yet available, and that all affected owners will be notified by mail once the repair can be
performed.
Depending on the model, the brake lamp switch functions may include: brake lamp illumination,
transmission interlock (shifting from park), ignition interlock (push-button ignition start), anti-lock
brake system (ABS) functionality, vehicle dynamics control (VDC) functionality, and/or EyeSight
operation. If the vehicle experiences a loss in function, as described, any of the associated warning
light(s) will illuminate. In the event of a brake lamp switch failure, the brake system’s ability to stop
the vehicle is unaffected.
If it is confirmed that the brake lamp switch is malfunctioning on an affected vehicle prior to remedy
parts being available, please order and install the current replacement part applicable to the vehicle, at
no charge to the customer. Please ensure that the customer understands that such a replacement would
be an interim repair until the modified remedy parts become available.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
Owner notification by first class mail will occur from April 15 through April 29, 2019. Owners with
a valid email address on file with MySubaru.com will also be notified by email once all the postal
mailings have been completed. After April 29, Care Connect will have this recall and will include it
in Scheduled Maintenance Triggers and Recall Market Drivers.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WUE-90R; Revised: 05/08/19

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RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS:
Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office. Vehicles will be
assigned to retailers 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 information for vehicles affected by this recall. This
information will enable retailers to follow up with owners of affected vehicles. The lists contain owners’
names and phone numbers 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 sole purpose of completing this recall

PARTS INFORMATION:
A Brake Lamp Switch Repair Kit has been
established. The part number is 83319FJ000.
The kit includes:
•

Brake Lamp Switch

•

Adapter Harness

•

Clevis Pin

VERY IMPORTANT: A special SILICONE-FREE grease is required to be used for lubricating
the clevis pin connecting the master cylinder operating rod to the brake pedal. The (ordering) part
number is SOA868V9700. A quantity of one consists of a box containing four 2-ounce tubes of this
special grease. This grease is NOT included in the Brake Lamp Switch Repair Kit listed above. DO
NOT SUBSTITUTE any other readily-accessible grease for this repair as the internal components of
the brake lamp switch will likely be damaged.
NOTE: The grease part number required for claim submission purposes is SOA635155.
On April 10, 2019, SOA Parts will enter orders into the system to automatically ship an initial supply
of the brake lamp switches, special grease, and special tools needed for this repair. Each retailer will
receive an initial supply of the following:
•

40 brake lamp switch kits

•

4 - 2 oz. tubes of special grease

•

3 special tools

Additional brake lamp switch kits must be ordered through PRIME. Please refer to ‘Recalls &
Campaigns/PRIME Max Quantities’ on Subarunet for the orderable quantities.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WUE-90R; Revised: 05/08/19

Page 3 of 11

SPECIAL TOOL INFORMATION:
A special magnetic tool (p.n. 83399FJ000RT) has been developed
to secure the Adjusting nut of the new brake lamp switch. Each
retailer will be supplied with THREE of these tools free of charge.
A metric tape measure is highly recommended for the adjustment
measurement procedure.
SPECIAL TOOL CAUTIONS:
This Special Tool is equipped with a series of high-powered magnets. Follow the instructions below
for your safety.
1. A person wearing electronic medical device such as a pacemaker is prohibited to use or be
near this tool. The magnetic force generated by this tool may interfere with operation of
medical devices and pose a possible serious risk.
2. This tool may affect operation of other electronic devices or magnetic recording mediums.
Never leave the tool in a car when not being used.
3. When using this tool, disconnect the negative terminal from the battery to prevent damaging
other electronic device(s) which may be close by.
4. Since this tool generates a strong magnetic force, it may attract metal powder, metal debris,
small parts etc. Always keep the tool clean and away from metal contaminants.
TIP: To prevent leaving the tool
behind after completing the repair,
CAREFULLY drill a small hole in the
handle end of the tool and install an
unused lanyard as shown.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
Before beginning this procedure:
•

Record the customer’s radio station presets and Navigation favorites (where applicable).

•

Disconnect the ground cable from battery and wait for at least 60 seconds before proceeding.

1) Remove the lower dash trim panels and related components as necessary for access to the brake
lamp switch following the procedures in the applicable Service Manual. On models where the
OBD connector bracket is installed onto the steering column, remove the bracket.
2) Disconnect then remove the original brake lamp switch from the pedal bracket and discard.
Tagging and retention for warranty are not required for this repair.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WUE-90R; Revised: 05/08/19

Page 4 of 11

3) Wearing appropriate eye protection and using a small flat-blade screw driver, pry and break
one of the 2 retaining tabs securing the plastic clip to the pedal bracket. Use a larger flat-blade
screw driver to pry the remainder of the clip loose. Make sure any remaining broken pieces are
removed from the vehicle.

4) Remove the snap pin (a) and clevis pin (b), then separate the brake pedal from the operating rod.

CAUTION:
•

When handling the operating rod, pay attention not to apply excessive force to it.

•

Do not tilt the operating rod over 3°(degrees) as brake booster internals may be damaged.

5) Prepare the brake lamp switch by disconnecting the conversion harness, removing the Adjusting
nut and threading the Lock nut all the way up toward the switch body.

6) Apply the Adjusting nut onto the special tool as shown. The tool’s magnets will hold it in place.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WUE-90R; Revised: 05/08/19

Page 5 of 11