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.

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

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2
007-2009 MY Legacy (Turbo)
2007-2009 Outback (Turbo)
2008-2014 Impreza (WRX/STI)
2009-2013MY Forester (Turbo)

NUMBER:
DATE:
NHTSA ID:
REVISED:

WTM-73R
10/31/16
16V738
07/11/17

SUBJECT: Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay Replacement
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling 100,127 vehicles including certain 2007-2009 model
year Legacy and Outback (turbo models only), 2008-2014 model year Impreza (turbo models only)
and 2009-2013 model year Forester (turbo models only) vehicles to replace the secondary air pump
relay.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY RISK
Contacts points inside the relay which controls the secondary air injection pump may be welded due
to insufficient understanding of one of the relay specifications (characteristics) and the relay may
allow the pump to operate continuously. Under this condition, the vehicle “check engine” light will
illuminate. The continuous operation may cause the secondary air injection pump to overheat. In
some instances, if overheating were to occur, the secondary air injection pump could begin to smoke,
increasing the risk of fire.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REMEDY
The secondary air pump relay will be replaced.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent by first class mail to owners of all potentially affected vehicles. Owner
notification will occur December 16, 2016. A copy of the letter will be added to the end of this
bulletin prior to owner notification.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function
on subarunet.com. This data is now available.
Model Years
2007 through 2009
2007 through 2009
2008 through 2014
2009 through 2013

Models
Legacy
Outback
Impreza (WRX/STI)
Forester

Production Start Date
December 8, 2005
December 8, 2005
April 26, 2007
December 6, 2007

Production End Date
October 27, 2008
October 23, 2008
September 13, 2013
January 7, 2013

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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 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 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
Description
25232AA090
RELAY
14828AA050*
PUMP AY SECD AIR
*See Important Note Below
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: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

Page 2

IMPORTANT NOTE: Replacement of the air pump is only required if the Check Engine light is
illuminated and the corresponding DTC is present. This should be a VERY RARE case.
•

The part number for the new / replacement relay is unchanged.

•

All affected vehicles must have the relay replaced.

•

There is no inspection requirement as part of this campaign.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
•

Connect the Subaru Select Monitor and check all systems for any stored DTC(s). If any
DTC(s) are found, perform the appropriate diagnostics per the applicable Service Manual
before proceeding further with this campaign procedure.

•

If determined the Secondary Air Pump is inoperative and requires replacement (VERY RARE
occurrence), perform the repair under this campaign following the procedure in the applicable
Service Manual.
NOTE: If replacing the air pump is required, do not start the car until the relay has been
replaced.

•

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

•

Remove the negative cable from the battery.

•

Remove the lid from the underhood (Main) fuse box (M/B), locate and replace the Secondary
Air Pump Relay. IMPORTANT: To prevent damaging the contacts in the fuse box, avoid
“rocking” the relay while removing it. Always pull straight up.

•

Reconnect the negative battery cable.

•

Reset the customer’s radio station presets (and Navigation Favorites where applicable).
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES:
Credit to perform this service campaign will be based on the submission of properly completed repair
order information. Retailers may submit claims through subarunet.com.
Labor Description
DTC CHECK and SECONDARY AIR PUMP RELAY (only) REPLACE
WTM23 SECONDARY AIR PUMP REPLACE

Labor
Labor
Fail
Claim
Operation # Time
Code
Type
B143-481
0.5
WTM-73 RC
C143-482
0.3

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

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 check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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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 WTM-73
NHTSA Recall No. 16V738
December 2016
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 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback (turbo models only – includes Legacy GT and Outback
XT), 2008-2014 model year Impreza (turbo models only – includes WRX and STI) and 2009-2013 model
year Forester (turbo models only – includes Forester XT) vehicles.
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY RISK
Due to a potential defect in the relay which controls the secondary air injection pump, the relay may
allow the pump to operate continuously. Under this condition, the vehicle “check engine” light will
illuminate.
The continuous operation may cause the secondary air injection pump to overheat. In some instances, if
overheating were to occur, the secondary air injection pump could begin to smoke, increasing the risk of
fire.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment to have this recall
repair performed.
If you prefer to make alternative arrangements for having your vehicle towed to your retailer, you may
contact the Subaru Roadside Assistance Program at 1-800-261-2155.
Both the repairs and the towing will be at no cost to you.

There are several important precautions you should take until this repair has been performed:
•

Be sure the check engine warning light located in the instrument cluster is not illuminated
when the vehicle is running. Immediately contact your Subaru retailer for assistance if the
check engine light is ON.

•

If you notice or smell smoke coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle, be sure the
ignition switch is in the “off” position and do not operate the vehicle. Immediately contact your
Subaru retailer for assistance.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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•

As a precautionary measure, it is highly recommended that you not park your vehicle in a garage,
car port or other structure until this repair is completed.

REPAIR
To correct this condition, Subaru will replace the relay at no cost to you.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The actual time to replace the secondary air pump relay is approximately 30 minutes or, in the event that
the secondary air pump is found to need replacement, this could take up to 1 hour. However, it may be
necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment.
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: WTM-73 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, please go to: http://www.wtm73.service-campaign.com.
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
•

By e-mail: www.subaru.com, Customer Support and select “Contact Us”

•

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

•

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

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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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.
A subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

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: WTM-73R; Revised: 07/11/17

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