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.

PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2010 and 2011MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
2006 through 2012MY Tribeca vehicles sold
before January 2012
2009 through 2012MY Forester vehicles sold
before January 2012

NUMBER:
DATE:

WQE-41
February 2013

SUBJECT: Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
Subaru has determined that affected vehicles equipped with optional Genuine Subaru
Puddle Lights may develop a short circuit and cause the related components to overheat and
potentially melt.
A short circuit can develop when either the puddle lights or connectors are exposed to an
electrolytic moisture source (i.e.- salt water) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle
light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s). If the puddle lights or connectors were to
overheat, they could melt and pose a risk of a fire.
This recall will involve vehicle inspection and installation of inline fuses as necessary.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
The following vehicles equipped with puddle lights are affected:
•
•
•

2010 and 2011MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
2006 through 2012MY Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012
2009 through 2012MY Forester vehicles sold before January 2012

Of the puddle light kits produced that could experience this condition, approximately 93%
were installed by a port facility prior to delivery to dealers. The remaining 7% kits were either
installed by dealers or sold to individuals in kit form.
•

Vehicles with Port Installed Puddle Lights
Vehicles equipped with port installed puddle lights have been identified and will appear
in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-41.

•

All Other Potentially Affected Vehicles
Vehicles within the affected group that do not have port installed puddle lights will
appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-99. For any vehicle
in this category that has puddle lights, it will be necessary to contact the Subaru Claims
Helpline at 1-866-782-2782 in order to have the VIN added to the recall.

OWNER NOTIFICATION
There are two versions of owner notification letters.
Version 1 addresses vehicle owners who are known to have a vehicle equipped with port
installed puddle lights. The letter will inform the owner that their vehicle is affected by this
recall. Vehicles in this category will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign
code WQE-41.
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Bulletin Number: WQE-41; Date: February 2013

Page 1

Version 2 addresses all other vehicle owners who have a vehicle that may have had puddle
lights installed after the vehicle was first delivered to a dealer. The letter will inform the
owner that their vehicle is affected by this recall if it is equipped with puddle lights. Vehicles
in this category will appear in vehicle coverage inquiry with the campaign code WQE-99.
A copy of both owner notification letters is included at the end of this bulletin.
In addition to notification by mail, vehicle owners with a valid email address and MySubaru
subscribers will be notified electronically on the same date letters are mailed.
Owner notification letters began mailing on February 19, 2013.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin
to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo & SSLP). Additionally,
whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or 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, used, demo or SSLP vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in dealer 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 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 Dealer failing to perform the applicable service procedures as
defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo
& SSLP) 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 CFR §578.6 and will
also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement.

PARTS INFORMATION
Repair parts are currently available. It is suggested that parts be ordered at the time a customer
contacts a dealer to schedule an appointment. This will ensure the necessary parts are
available on the day a customer brings their vehicle in for service.
Part Number

Description

H001SSC300

Fused Mini-Harness
(2 required per vehicle)

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Bulletin Number: WQE-41; Date: February 2013

Page 2

SERVICE PROCEDURE
The goal of this procedure is to ensure the vehicle has an in-line fuse installed in series with
the puddle light harness on both sides of the vehicle and that the puddle light system operates
as designed. This inspection / repair procedure will be accomplished by accessing the
puddle light harness to body harness connection. This is achieved with removal of the front
accessory splash guard/ mud flap (if equipped) and a partial removal of the fender’s inner
splash shield/ fender liner for each front wheel. Regardless of the findings of the inspection of
one side, both sides must be inspected/ repaired to complete this campaign.

NOTES:
•

See Appendix C for a summary flow chart of the following procedure. Be sure to follow
the detailed written procedure below in its entirety. The flow chart only provides a
summary. In addition, a Post-Repair Diagnosis flow chart is provided for reference
if needed.

•

Read through and understand this complete procedure before beginning any repairs.

1. Confirm the vehicle is equipped with optional Genuine Subaru puddle lights. If the
vehicle is not equipped, no correction is required. Return the vehicle to the Customer.

If the vehicle IS equipped with Genuine Subaru puddle lights:
2. Verify the operation of all 4 puddle lights (2 lights per side, 2 LED bulbs per light). The lights
may be activated by opening the driver’s door. Inspect both sides at this time.
3. Complete the next steps starting with the driver’s side of the vehicle and then repeat on the
passenger side. Both sides must be completed for this campaign. All current replacement
puddle light harnesses include an in-line mini fuse.
NOTE: If any puddle lights are found inoperative, whether there is an in-line fuse installed
or not, replace the puddle light harness and both light assemblies on that side of the vehicle.
Refer to the Accessory Installation Guide available on STIS for specific accessory component
installation procedures. Search STIS using the keyword “puddle”. Not all model years and
models are shown, so refer to the instructions for the model year and model you are working
on. If your model year is not shown, use the next latest model year.
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Bulletin Number: WQE-41; Date: February 2013

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4. If both puddle lights were operational on each side, determine if the puddle light
harnesses on both sides are fitted with in-line fuses (detailed instructions are provided
in Appendix A).
NOTE: The in-line fuse may be either part of the existing harness itself, or a separately fused
mini-harness.
5. If an in-line fuse is verified in the puddle light harnesses on both sides of the vehicle, and the
lights function normally, no further action is necessary. Re-assemble the splash shields and
return the vehicle to the customer completing the campaign procedure.
6. If there is no in-line fuse present on either side puddle light harness, a fused mini-harness
must be installed. Record the customer’s radio station presets (and navigation Favorites) then
disconnect vehicle battery before installing the Fused Mini- Harness.
NOTE: If there is any corrosion or damage to the puddle light harness side connection,
replace the harness and both lights. If there is any corrosion or damage to the body harness
side where the puddle light harness connects, repair or replace the body harness as necessary.
7. Once both sides have had in-line fuses either installed or verified, reconnect the battery and
confirm that the puddle lights are operational. Leave the driver’s door open with the puddle
lights on for at least 5 minutes before reinstalling the splash shields. If the lights do not
operate, and the in-line fuse becomes open, replace the harness and both light assemblies on
the affected side of the vehicle.
Appendix A - Harness Access and Inspection Process
1. Raise the vehicle as necessary to access the inner fender splash shields. Wheel removal is
generally not required.
2. Remove the accessory splash guard (if equipped) and the retaining clips at the rear portion
of the front wheel opening. Move just enough of the splash shield to expose the puddle light
wiring and body harness connectors

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Page 4

NOTES:
•

A Forester is shown in the photo on pg. 4 for illustration only.

•

Splash guard removal may also be required for access to the splash shield retaining clips.

•

Retaining clip locations will vary by model.

•

See Appendix B for samples of retaining clip locations by model.

•

The photos below show a puddle light harness without the in-line fuse on the left and
the current replacement harness with the in-line fuse on the right.

No in-line fuse installed

.

With in-line fuse installed

CAUTION:

On Legacy, Outback and Forester models, locate the two metal tabs along the inside edge of
the front fender. Use caution and support these small painted fender tabs inside the wheel arch
when removing the splash shield. These tabs are painted body color and cracking of the paint
is likely if the tabs are bent. Place one hand on the tab to secure it while pushing the splash
shield up and over the tab with your other hand. Use the same method when you reinstall the
splash shield. Touch-up any damaged tabs to minimize any future possibility of rust.

Use caution when removing wheel well
liner past fender tabs. Bending tabs may
result in cracked paint.

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•

On Legacy and Outback models, use caution when moving the splash shield as the
body harness for the puddle lights is secured to it at two points as shown below. It
is not required to drop the entire splash shield. Simply move enough of the shield to
gain access to the connection which is located at the rear of the wheel opening. This
information and photo are provided as a reference only.

Adhesive tabs and zip ties are used to secure
wiring harness to the wheel well liner and
rocker panel garnish during reassembly.
3. Once the splash shield has been moved enough for access, inspect the puddle light
harnesses.
a. I f the vehicle already has an in-line fuse in the red power wire within a few
inches of the vehicle connector as shown in the photo below or a Fused MiniHarness as shown in the photo on pg. 7 and both lights (all 4 LED bulbs) operate,
no further action is required on that side.
Vehicle Body
Harness Connector

In-Line Fuse

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b. Next, check the other side of the vehicle starting again at Step 2. Once inspection
of both sides of the vehicle is complete and fuses are confirmed to be on BOTH
sides of the vehicle, proceed to Step 5, otherwise see “c” below.
c. If no in-line fuse or Fused Mini-Harness is present, unplug the puddle light
harness connector from the vehicle body harness connector and install the Fused
Mini-Harness as shown in the reference photos below.

Vehicle
pre-arranged
connector

Fused
Mini-Harness

Puddle
lamp
harness

Fused Mini-Harness
Route the completed harness behind the splash shield. Use electrical tape to secure any
excess harness out of the way avoiding any areas where it may be exposed to sharp edges
or become pinched. Do not reassemble yet. Once both sides of the vehicle have been
completed, proceed to the next step.

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4. After completing installation of the Fused Mini-Harness on both sides of the vehicle,
reconnect the battery and confirm that all the puddle lights operate normally by leaving the
driver’s door open with the puddle lights on for at least 5 minutes.
a. If any of the lights fail to operate as designed, review all connections to ensure
they are secure.
b. If the mini-fuse in the Fused Mini-Harness or puddle light harness has become
open, replace the puddle light harness and both lights on that side of the vehicle.
Refer to applicable accessory installation guide for detailed instructions for
harness and light installation. NOTE: All current replacement puddle light
harnesses include an in-line fuse. In this case, installation of the Fused MiniHarness would not be required.
c. If not resolved, by a and / or b, see the Post-Repair Diagnostic Flow Chart in
Appendix C.
IMPORTANT: At no time should two mini fuses be placed in series on the same side/ same
circuit.
5. Once proper operation is confirmed, reinstall the splash shields, retaining clips and splash
guards (if equipped).
6. Perform one final check to confirm all 4 puddle lights operate properly to complete the
procedure before releasing the vehicle.
NOTE: If additional parts are necessary to repair the vehicle, a listing by model is supplied
below
2010-2011 Legacy and Outback Models
• H471SAJ010

LED Lamp Assy.

(2 per side)

• H471SAJ020

Puddle Light Harness

(1 per side)

• H471SAJ030

Hardware Kit

(1 per vehicle)

2006-2012 Tribeca Models
• H471SXA010

LED Lamp Assy.

(2 per side)

• H471SXA020

Hardware Cap

(2 per lamp)

• H471SXA030

Puddle Light Harness

(1 per side)

• H471SXA040

Hardware Kit

(1 per vehicle)

2009-2012 Forester Models
• H471SSC010

LED Lamp Assy.

(2 per side)

• H471SSC020

Puddle Light Harness

(1 per side)

• H471SSC030

Hardware Kit

(1 per vehicle)

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Appendix B - Retaining Clip Locations
Reminder: Splash guard /mud flap removal may also be required in some cases to access
the retaining clips. Splash guards vary by model, but most involve removal of one horizontal
clip, two horizontal screws, and one vertical screw. Tip: When reinstalling splash guards
install the screws loosely and lift up lightly on the splash guard while giving the screws a final
tightening. This will help reduce the possibility of a gap forming between the splash guard
and the fender.
2006-2007 B9 Tribeca (5 clips)

2008-2012 Tribeca (5 clips)

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2010-2011 Legacy and Outback (8 screw clips and 1 push clip)

2009-2012 Forester (3 clips)

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Appendix C - Summary and Post-Repair Flow Charts
Check Puddle Light
Operation by opening
Driver door

NOTE: CHECK BOTH SIDES & ALL LIGHTS
The following procedures must be performed on

EACH SIDE

Disconnect Battery
Disassemble and access Puddle Light harness connection

Were all lights
working on this
side?

YES

Is an in-line fuse or