Subarunet Announcement
To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: August 30, 2021

URGENT New Safety Recall: WRI-21 Front Lower Control Arm Improper Weld
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2021 model year Impreza
vehicles in which the left front lower control arm may have an improper weld.
Description of the Defect and Safety Risk
The affected vehicles may be equipped with a left front lower control arm with an improper weld near a
connection joint between the lower control arm and the crossmember. An improper weld in this
location may lead to a partial separation of the lower control arm from the crossmember. If this partial
separation occurs, the tire could contact the wheel well structure.
If the lower control arm partially separates from the crossmember while driving, the tire could contact
the wheel well structure, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and in increased risk of a crash.
Affected Vehicles
A total of 802 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below:
Model Year
2021

Carline
Impreza

Production Date Range
February 25, 2021 – March 9, 2021

Not all vehicles in the production range listed above are affected by this recall. Coverage must be
confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair. This
information is now available.
On Tuesday, August 31, affected vehicle information for this recall based on the selling retailer will be
available through the ‘Recall Affected VIN List’ function located on subarunet.com under ‘Recalls &
Campaigns.’
Owner Notification

The affected vehicle owners will be advised that the vehicle should not be driven
until it can be inspected by an authorized Subaru retailer.
Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail and email on Friday, September 3.

Starting on Tuesday, August 31, we urge you to use the ‘Affected VIN List’ on
subarunet to immediately contact your customers by phone to inform them of
this recall and to immediately schedule an appointment for inspection.
Your affected customers should be notified as follows:
“We are calling to inform you that your vehicle has been identified as potentially having a
manufacturing defect impacting the safety of the vehicle’s left front suspension system. We
would like you to make an appointment as soon as possible to get your vehicle inspected and to
determine if a repair involving the installation of replacement parts is necessary. If replacement
parts are necessary, we will make a loaner car available at no charge to you.”
Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions
The WRI-21 Product Campaign Bulletin will be posted to STIS later this week, which will include the
inspection procedure required for this recall. Until the WRI-21 bulletin is available, please use the
inspection procedures below to determine if the left lower control arm in the vehicle contains the
specific affected LOT number 12171 described below.
The inspection of the Left Front Control Arm can be performed with the vehicle on the ground, which
means there is an opportunity to send a technician to perform this inspection remotely.
Inspection Procedures:
The identification of an affected left front lower control arm can be verified by locating and recording
the stamped LOT Number located on the top of the arm. If LOT Number 12171 is found, the Left Front
Lower Control Arm MUST be replaced. If any other LOT number is found, no additional work is
necessary.
STEP 1): Turn the steering wheel to the left full lock position and view behind the tire.

STEP 2): Locate the LOT Number located the top section of the arm.

STEP 3): Verify and record the LOT number with a photograph. A photograph can be taken with the
wheel in the left full lock position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A photograph MUST be submitted for Warranty Claim Reimbursement.

LOT
Number

EXAMPLE:
LOT Number 12171 is
shown

STEP 4): Is LOT Number 12171 shown on the Left Front Lower Control Arm?
YES: The Control Arm MUST be replaced, please refer to the WRI-21 Product Campaign Bulletin
for further instruction.
NO: There is no further work needed. Submit a claim for inspection only, as listed below.
Claim Entry Information – Inspection Only:

For vehicles that do not require replacement of the left front lower control arm, use the
following claim entry information:
Claim
Labor
Fail
Labor Description
Type Operation Labor Time
Code
#
LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM INSPECTION ONLY
RC
A111-408
0.2H
WRI-21
For vehicles that do require replacement of the front left lower control arm, please refer to the
WRI-21 Product Campaign Bulletin for further instruction.

Remote Inspection Reimbursement Procedures
Retailers may utilize a SSLP or CPO vehicle for Technicians to drive to a customer’s home to complete
the recall inspection onsite. SOA will allow a $50 reimbursement of one SSLP/CPO vehicle per day, per
technician, when completing multiple mobile recall inspections.
CPO Rental Reimbursement for remote inspection
When a CPO vehicle is being used for a remote inspection, a Repair Order should be opened for the
CPO VIN for the day in use. Service Manager, Service Director or their designee must sign repair order
in lieu of a customer signature. Record VINs repaired while using the CPO vehicle. The CPO vehicle will
be reimbursed at $50 per day, once per day. Fuel is not included.
Please use the guide below when submitting your claim:
- VIN: The claim should be entered using the CPO VIN used by the technician.
- Claim Type: Policy Adjustment
- Alternate Transportation: Enter $50 in Alternate Transportation area in the claim.
- Claim Specific Data: SOA Amount field= enter $50
Customer Last name: enter CPO
Customer Zip Code- use retailer zip code
- Claim Notes: The claim notes must include the RO#, Job, VIN and Recall Claim ID for each
customer repair completed that day.
- Please use the labor operation and fail code information below:
Labor Operation #
A101-102

Labor Description

Labor Time

Fail Code

Rental Only

0.0

RNT-00

**NOTE: If Technician finds lot number 12171 upon their inspection, towing should be arranged to get
the vehicle into the retailer for replacement of the left front lower control arm. While the retailer can
work with the customer to provide a loaner vehicle, a CPO vehicle cannot be used by a customer as a
loaner vehicle.
SSLP Rental Reimbursement for remote inspection
When a SSLP vehicle is being used for a remote inspection, a Repair Order should be opened for the
SSLP VIN for the day in use. The Service Manager, Service Director, or their designee must sign repair
order in lieu of a customer signature. Record VINs repaired while using the SSLP vehicle. The SSLP
vehicle will be reimbursed at $50 per day, once per day. Fuel is not included.
Please use the guide below when submitting your claim:
- VIN: The claim should be entered using the SSLP VIN used by the Technician.
- Claim Type: Policy Adjustment
- Alternate Transportation: Enter $50 in Alternate Transportation area in the claim.
- Claim Specific Data: SOA Amount field= enter $50
Customer Last name: enter SSLP

-

Customer Zip Code- use retailer zip code
Claim Notes: The claim notes must include the RO#, Job, VIN and Recall Claim ID for each
customer repair completed that day.
Please use the labor operation and fail code information below:

Labor Operation #
A101-102

Labor Description

Labor Time

Fail Code

Rental Only

0.0

RNT-00

**NOTE: If Technician finds lot number 12171 upon their inspection, towing should be arranged to get
the vehicle into the retailer for replacement of the left front lower control arm. The SSLP vehicle can be
left with the customer as a loaner vehicle.
Please be aware of the following SSLP Administration Requirements under this Program:
• An SSLP Service loaner contract must be opened in WebDrive when a retailer is using it for
remote inspection or when left with a customer to be used when additional repair is necessary.
• Customers must sign SSLP loaner contract for any SSLP vehicles left in their possession.
• Each Service loaner contract opened and closed will count towards overall SSLP retailer
incentive utilization and individual vin utilization.
• The retailer must utilize Subaru SSLP vehicles; rental units from outside rental companies (i.e.:
Enterprise, Hertz, etc.) are not eligible for the $50 per day reimbursement.
Retailer Responsibility
Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle
covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, 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 may be subject to civil penalties of up to $21,000
per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will also be in breach of the
Subaru Dealer Agreement.
Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer 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

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in
their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer
inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling
or releasing the vehicle.