ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT:

2002~07MY Impreza (except STI)
2003~08MY Forester
Front Lower Control Arm (Transverse
Link) Corrosion

NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:

WVX-34R
Nov 2011
07/26/21

INTRODUCTION
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected vehicles, listed below, may have
been manufactured with front lower control arms (transverse links) that could corrode in the
hanger bracket area if exposed to salt for a prolonged period of time. If the vehicle is operated
for an extensive period in a “salt-belt” area (see list of states below that use salt extensively on
the roads in the winter), continued exposure to salt could cause the lower control arm hanger
brackets to rust and eventually break. If one or both were to break due to rusting, control of
the vehicle could be affected without prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
This recall will involve inspecting and testing the current condition of the front lower control
arms. If both are found to be acceptable, as a preventative measure it will be necessary to
apply anti-rust materials to the areas of concern. If either control arm is found to be unacceptable, both will require replacement.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2002-2007 model year Subaru Impreza (except STI) vehicles and 2003-2008 model
year Subaru Forester vehicles whose owners either currently reside in, or the vehicle has ever
been registered in, at least one of the following “salt-belt” states:
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa

Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart below. NOTE: Not all vehicles
within the range are affected. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by
using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function at Subarunet.com.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 1

2002MY
2003MY
2004MY
2005MY
2006MY
2007MY

2002 – 2007MY Subaru Impreza Models
VIN Ranges
Model
From
Sedan
2*500015
Wagon
2*800021
Sedan
3*500001
Wagon
3*800001
Sedan
4*500001
Wagon
4*800001
Sedan
5*500001
Wagon
5*800001
Sedan
6*500009
Wagon
6*800007
Sedan
7*500002
Wagon
7*800001

To
2*531625
2*837226
3*513811
3*814065
4*525189
4*818981
5*526332
5*818981
6*526779
6*822263
7*526052
7*819619

2003 – 2008MY Subaru Forester Models
VIN Ranges
From
To
2003MY
3*700001
3*772626
2004MY
4*700002
4*768073
2005MY
5*700001
5*755629
2006MY
6*700001
6*760060
2007MY
7*700001
7*748362
2008MY
8*700002
8*733308

*Various Characters may occupy this position.
Dealer Affected VIN lists: Dealers will be sent an affected VIN list for all model years
around the time owner notification letters begin mailing.
Affected VIN lists are created and “dealerized” as follows:
• Original vehicle owners are assigned to the original selling dealer when their current
address is within a 100 mile radius of that dealer.
• If the original selling dealer code was found to be inactive, the VIN has been assigned
to the nearest active dealer.
• For any new owners or when original owners live more than 100 miles from the original
selling dealer, the VIN has been assigned to the nearest active dealer.
Important: Dealer affected VIN lists include owner name and address information for
vehicles affected by this recall. This information will enable dealers 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, dealers are urged to
limit the use of these lists for the purpose of completion of this safety recall.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 2

OWNER NOTIFICATION
Notification letters will be sent to owners of vehicles who either currently reside in, or the
vehicle has ever been registered in, at least one of the “salt-belt” states.
WVX34 Owner Notification Mailing Schedule
VEHICLE OWNERS LOCATED IN
SALT-BELT STATES
On 11/21/11
2002-2003MY
On 12/5/11
2004-2006MY
On or About 12/19/11
2007-2008MY

VEHICLE OWNERS LOCATED IN NON
SALT-BELT STATES
All model years
On or Around 11/28/11

A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included at the end of this bulletin.

OWNERS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE AFFECTED “SALT-BELT” STATES
Notification letters will only be mailed to owners of vehicles that currently reside in, or the
vehicle has ever been registered in, at least one of the “salt-belt” states.
After release of this recall, vehicles previously registered in a non-“salt-belt” state may
relocate into a “salt-belt” area. In some cases, the vehicle may be registered in a “non-salt
belt” state, and driven in a “salt-belt” area. These vehicles may not show coverage when
checked using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in Subarunet. SOA requests that dealers located
in “salt-belt” states check all vehicles within the affected VIN range for recall coverage. If it is
determined that an owner of a vehicle, within the affected VIN range, relocates or uses his or
her vehicle in a “salt-belt” area, dealers are requested to contact the Subaru Claims Helpline at
1-866- 782-2782 and request the VIN be added to the WVX-34 recall affected list. The dealer
should then perform this procedure on the vehicle at no cost to the customer.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to the vehicle
owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.
For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer’s computer list, dealers are to contact
those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also
arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure
section of this bulletin.
Vehicles in Dealer Inventory
Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin
to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a
vehicle subject to this recall is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership
for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made
before selling or releasing the vehicle.
New or used vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in dealer stock must be:
• Immediately identified.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 3

•

•

Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to
inspection and/or repair.
Inspected and/or repaired in accordance with instructions outlined in
the Product Campaign Bulletin.

Any Authorized Subaru Dealer failing to perform the applicable service procedures
defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used,
demo) prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up
to $6,000 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 USC §30165(a) of the
Safety Act, and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.

PARTS INFORMATION
Special Tools
Equipment will be sent to dealers as indicated in the following schedule:
DEALERS LOCATED IN
SALT-BELT STATES
On or about November 7, 2011

DEALERS LOCATED IN NON
SALT-BELT STATES
On or about November 21, 2011

Punch Tester:
Each dealer that has been identified as having vehicles affected by this recall in their area will
automatically be shipped, at no cost, one Punch Tester.
DESCRIPTION
WVX34 Punch Tester

PART NUMBER
SOA635099

Punch Tester

Spray Gun Kit

Rust Proofing Spray Equipment:
Each dealer that has been identified as having vehicles affected by this recall in their area will
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 4

automatically be shipped, at no cost, one rust-proofing spray gun set that contains a spray gun
with air pressure regulator along with two pots and necessary lines, nozzles and wands.
The following is a list of replacement parts available for the WVX34 spray gun:
DESCRIPTION
WVX34 Spray Gun Kit - complete

PART NUMBER
SOA876009

Replacement Parts
WVX34 Repl Flex 360 degree Wand
WVX34 Repl 90 degree Handle Wand
WVX34 Repl Pot and Cap
WVX34 Repl Air Pressure Reg

SOA876010
SOA876011
SOA876012
SOA876013

Rust-proofing Materials:
NOTE: The rust-proofing material is packaged in boxes of 2-one quart containers (1
container of Nox-Rust® X-210 and 1 container of Nox-Rust® R-576-108). Each box
contains enough material to treat 5 vehicles.
Prior to the release of this recall, only dealers located in affected “salt-belt” states will automatically be shipped two cases of rust-proofing material. This provides enough material to
treat 60 vehicles. It will be necessary for dealers located outside of affected “salt-belt” states
to order rust-proofing material as needed.
Additional quantities of the rust-proofing material are available through the “Genuine Subaru
Automotive Chemical” program. In order to maintain an adequate part supply, SOA requests
that Dealers only order quantities necessary to satisfy anticipated demand.
Note: SOA will notify owners who either purchased or at one time resided in a “saltbelt” state. Some of these owners may no longer live in a “salt-belt” area. In these cases,
it will be necessary for dealers located outside the “salt-belt” area to order materials to
rust-proof these affected vehicles.
MODEL
All

DESCRIPTION
Rust-proofing material
Case Quantity
(6) Nox-Rust® X-210
(6) Nox-Rust® R-576-108

PART NUMBER
SOA868V9355

For claim reimbursement purposes, dealers should use the following part number, which
represents rust proofing materials sufficient for one vehicle application:
MODEL
All

DESCRIPTION
Rust-proofing Material
(non-orderable part
number for claim
purposes only)

PART NUMBER
SOA635098

QTY
1

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 5

Replacement Front Lower Control Arms:
Reusable Parts

Front Lower Control Arm
(Transverse Link)

The following kits contain both left and right lower control arms along with replacement lock nuts.
Impreza Wagon
Part Kit – 20090FE000. The following parts are included in the kit. Do not order parts
separately.
MODEL
Impreza Wagon

DESCRIPTION
Front Lower Control Arm Kit

PART NUMBER
20090FE000

The kit contains the following components:
QUANTITY
1
1
2
2
2

DESCRIPTION
Arm Sub-Assy (RH)
Arm Sub-Assy (LH)
Self Lock Nut
Self Lock Nut
Self Lock Nut

PART NUMBER
20219FE000
20219FE010
023508000
902350006
20207AA000

Impreza Sedan & Forester
Part Kit - 20090SA000 (The following parts are included in the kit. Do not order parts
separately.)
MODEL
Impreza Sedan &
Forester

DESCRIPTION
Front Lower Control Arm Kit

PART NUMBER
20090SA000

The kit contains the following components:
QUANTITY
1
1
2
2
2

DESCRIPTION
Arm Sub-Assy (RH)
Arm Sub-Assy (LH)
Self Lock Nut
Self Lock Nut
Self Lock Nut

PART NUMBER
20219SA000
20219SA010
023510000
902350006
20207AA000

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 6

REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
This repair procedure will involve inspecting and testing the current condition of the front
lower control arms:
1) Visual inspection of the hanger bracket portion of both front lower control arms
for rust perforation.
2) “Punch test” the upper and lower portions of the hanger bracket area of both front
lower control arms.
After visually inspecting and “punch testing” both control arms, the following applies:
• Pass: if both control arms pass both checks, as a preventative measure it will be
necessary to apply anti-rust materials to the areas of concern.
• Fail: if either control arm fails either check, both will require replacement.
Necessary Tools and Supplies
INSPECTION

RUST PROOFING

Safety Glasses

Respirator

Punch Tester

Protective Gloves

Paper Clips

Safety Glasses

Rags

Measuring cup

Vehicle Lift

Rags

Air Impact Gun and Torque Stick

Cotton Swabs

Small thin flexible ruler (mm)

Oil Pan or Container

Tire marker pen or white touch-up paint (to
mark control arms)

Flexible Magnet
Spray Gun with Attachments
Nox-Rust® R-576-108 Corrosion Preventive Wax
Nox-Rust® X-210 Corrosion Preventive Oil
Vehicle Lift
Compressor, hose and air nozzle
Marker pen (to mark spray gun stop screw)

This repair procedure may involve applying anti-rust material to a portion of the front
lower control arms.
Exposure Controls for use of Nox-Rust® X-210 and Nox-Rust® R-576-108
The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for these products is included in each product carton and
available in the electronic version of this bulletin posted on STIS.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator for organic vapor and mist to control exposure
where ventilation is inadequate. Example: 3M™ Dual Cartridge Respirator Assembly, Organic Vapor/
P95: 07191, 07192, 07193 or 3M™ Dual Cartridge Respirator Packout, Organic Vapor/P95: 07178,
07179.
Ventilation: General and local exhaust.

Personal Protective Equipment:
Caution: Avoid prolonged skin contact.
Protective Gloves: Impervious gloves (Viton, PVOH, etc.)
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with sideshields or chemical goggle.
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: If splashing is anticipated, wear rubber apron and boots or
other protective equipment to minimize contact.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WVX-34R; Revised: 07/26/21

Page 7

Inspection Procedure
Front Lower Control Arm (Transverse Link)
The inspection will require checking for rust perforation of the right and left hanger bracket
portion of the front lower control arms.
Hanger bracket portion of the
front lower control arm.

Appearance check and punch test is required on both sides. If either side fails the appearance
check or punch test, both control arms will need to be replaced.
Caution: Wear proper eye protection
Raise vehicle on lift. Note: Keep steering wheel unlocked
Remove the left and right front wheels.
1) Visual Inspection
Beginning on the right side of vehicle, visually inspect the hanger bracket portion of the
control arm (top, sides and bottom) for any signs of rust perforation.