ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

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

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2014 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

NUMBER: 12-169-14

2010-2014MY Legacy & Outback Models

SUBJECT:
“Click”, “Pop” or “Creek” Sound from Left or Right
Outer Cowl Corner / Base of “A” Pillar Area

DATE: 07/10/14

INTRODUCTION
This bulletin provides a repair procedure to address customer concerns of a “Click”, “Pop” or
“Creek” sound heard coming from either the left or right side around the rear corners of the cowl /
engine compartment / base of “A” pillar area.
PUNCH TESTER TOOL INFORMATION
The punch tester was originally provided to retailers located in salt-belt states to perform Product
Campaign WVX-34. The following information is for retailers which do not already have (or may
have misplaced) their punch tester. Currently, we have a very limited number of punch testers
available. A punch tester will be supplied upon request strictly as a “loaner”. The Punch Tester
Request Form must be filled out and faxed to the Parts Collection Center. Upon receipt of the request
form, the punch tester will be shipped via UPS Ground or Second Day Air depending upon the “Need
by Date” requested. The tool will be shipped in a UPS Express “Large Box” measuring 18x13x3.
A pre-printed UPS label will also be provided for the return shipping. Therefore, the same size and
style box needs to be used for the return shipping. These boxes may be requested directly from UPS
if you do not have them. Using a box other than the size listed can create a delay in return shipping
and possibly result in charges to the retailer. The punch tester must be returned immediately upon
repair completion. Failure to return the punch tester within two weeks of the request submission or
the return of a damaged tool will result in a charge of $500.00 being added to the requesting retailer’s
monthly statement.
NOTE: Refer to the last page of this bulletin for the Punch Tester Request Form.

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.

Service Bulletin Number: 12-169-14; Date: 07/10/14

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.

Page 1

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION
Once the sound has been confirmed and isolated to the area described in the introduction of this
bulletin, the fender for the side of the vehicle in question will need to be removed following the
procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual. It may be necessary to use Chassis Ears to
determine the precise source of the sound. The left fender is removed in the photo below.

Punches shown spaced
evenly in between
the existing factory
spot welds.
To avoid unnecessary distortion of the affected panels, always use a block of wood (or equivalent) along
with a helper to firmly support the panel from behind when making the punches with the punch tool.

Another area which may be the source of these sounds is shown in the photos below. Although the
right fender is removed in the photo, the structures are symmetrical side to side. Separate the layers
of sheet metal using a flat-blade screwdriver but use caution not to tear or separate any spot welds.

Continued...
Service Bulletin Number: 12-169-14; Date: 07/10/14

Page 2

Layers of sheet metal
shown here after speration
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

When these procedures are complete, always touch up, seam seal or undercoat any exposed
bare metal areas to prevent rust from developing.

•

Adding additional welds to the body structure is NOT PERMITTED as doing so may have
an effect on the crash-worthiness of the vehicle.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be claimed using the
following information:
LABOR DESCRIPTION

RIGHT FRONT COWL REPAIR FOR POP/
CREEK SOUND
LEFT FRONT COWL REPAIR FOR POP/
CREEK SOUND
BOTH FRONT COWLS REPAIRED FOR POP/
CREEK SOUND

LABOR
OPERATION #

FAIL CODE

A905-001
A905-002
A905-004

LABOR
TIME

1.2
OBM-25

1.2
1.8

NOTE: Up to $3.00 can be claimed in Sublet to cover the cost of touch-up materials as needed.

Continued...
Service Bulletin Number: 12-169-14; Date: 07/10/14

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Punch Tester Request Form
To: Subaru of America, Inc.
Parts Collection Center
3701 David Howarth Drive, Suite B
Lafayette, IN 47909

From:______________________________

Fax Number: (765) 637-4280

Date: ______________________________

Retailer Name:_______________________________________________________________
Retailer Shipping Address:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Retailer Contact:_____________________________________________________________
Retailer Contact Phone Number:________________________________________________
Date Needed By:_____________________________________________________________
VIN (last 8):__________________________________________________________________

By submitting this form, the above retailer agrees to the following usage terms:
•

Tool must be returned within two weeks of the date of request as noted on fax sheet when
received at Parts Collection Center.

•

Failure to return ship the tool within two weeks (date confirmed per UPS tracking of return
shipment) of request receipt date will result in a $500 charge to the retailer on the above listed
retailer’s monthly statement.

•

If tool is returned damaged a charge of $500 will be applied to the above listed retailer’s monthly
statement.

Service Bulletin Number: 12-169-14; Date: 07/10/14

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