Before the new stud bolt(s) can be installed, the three projections on the underside
of the flange shown in the “before” photo below must be removed as it MUST SIT
FLUSH against the sheet metal before it can be welded to the vehicle. In addition,
lightly grind the plating off of 2 adjacent spots on the edge of the flange where the
new welds will be applied. Always take precautions to protect the threads when
grinding off the projections. A stud ready to install and weld is shown in the “after”
photo below.
Projections
Projections Removed

BEFORE

Plating on the Flange
Edge Ground Away
for New Weld in 2
Adjacent Places

AFTER

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 9

VERY IMPORTANT: THE VEHICLE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY WELDING OPERATIONS OR ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
•

Install the new stud bolt through the hole and thread on a bright silver Trial Nut from
the outside to hold it in place tight against the body during welding as shown below.
Torque the Trial Nut to 5-10 ft. lbs.

NOTE: DO NOT use the replacement gray nuts for this purpose.

•

After securing the new stud bolts to the body panel, apply 2 welds approximately ¼”
long and adjacent to each other to secure each stud bolt in place as shown in RED in
the reference illustration below.

•

When welding is complete, restore the vehicle’s corrosion protection, sound
deadening and undercoating to OEM specifications.

STEP 5- Once all the stud bolt threads have passed inspection and/or been replaced, remove
the Trial Nuts and reinstall the hitch frame assembly.
VERY IMPORTANT: Follow the torque values and tightening sequence of all the fasteners
closely per the following table:
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 10

•

REMINDER: NEVER re-use any of the eight original M10 nuts. The eight
original M10 nuts, the four Trial Nuts, and any unused threaded stud bolts must be
retained. Upon claim approval, SOA will issue a Parts Return Notice for these items.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 11

STEP 6 - After the hitch frame assembly has been reinstalled and all fasteners properly
torqued, reinstall the muffler heat shield(s) (torque retaining bolts to 7.4 ft. lbs.)
and the muffler(s) using a new exhaust gasket(s) and new lock nuts
(torque to 35.4 ft. lbs.).
STEP 7- Re-install the bumper fascia and the combination lamps in reverse order of removal
to complete the campaign service procedure
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Service Program identification label. The
completed label should be attached to the vehicle’s upper radiator support.
Additional labels are available through normal parts ordering channels. The part number is
MSA6P1302. Ordering qty 1 = 1 sheet of 20 labels.
PART NUMBER

APPLICABILITY

DESCRIPTION

ORDER QUANTITY

MSA6P1302

All models

Campaign Completion Labels
(contains one sheet of 20 labels)

1

WQN-50

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order
information. Retailers may submit claims through ‘Vehicle Claim Entry’ on Subarunet.com.
Listed below is claim entry information:
LABOR DESCRIPTION

LABOR
OPERATION #

FAIL
CODE

LABOR
TIME

Inspect & Replace ‘S’ Nuts – (all 8 nuts contain ‘S’ marking)

A105-400

0.7

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts
(no stud bolt damage found)

A105-401

0.9

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 1 Stud Bolt

B105-501

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 2 Stud Bolts

B105-502

2.5

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 3 Stud Bolts

B105-503

3.3

WQN-50

1.7

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 12

LABOR DESCRIPTION

LABOR
OPERATION #

FAIL
CODE

LABOR
TIME

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 4 Stud Bolts

B105-504

4.1

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 5 Stud Bolts

B105-505

4.9

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 6 Stud Bolts

B105-506

5.7
WQN-50

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 7 Stud Bolts

B105-507

6.5

Inspect & Replace Nuts, Remove Hitch Frame, Inspect Stud Bolts,
Replace 8 Stud Bolts

B105-508

7.3

Sublet Repair, Administration Expenses

C101-108

0.3

NOTE: The labor time for replacing the stud bolt(s) includes time for restoring the vehicle’s
corrosion protection, sound deadening, and undercoating.
PART NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

ORDER QUANTITY

L101SAL900

WQN-50 Hitch Repair Kit
(includes 8 threaded studs, 8 mounting nuts,
and 4 trial/testing nuts)

1

44011AL000

Exhaust Gasket

902350001

Lock Nut

Qty. 1 for H-4 vehicles
Qty. 2 for H-6 vehicles
Qty. 2 for H-4 vehicles
Qty. 4 for H-6 vehicles

REMINDER: Once the claim for this campaign is submitted and approved, a Part Return
Notice will be sent for the return of part number L101SAL900 (Hitch Repair Kit). When this
request has been received, the following parts must be returned to ensure proper claim credit:
•

The eight original M10 nuts

•

The four bright silver Trial Nuts

•

Any unused threaded stud bolts

Be sure to include a properly completed Warranty Parts Tag and a copy of the repair order for
proper claim credit. Failure to return all of these items will be result in a claim debit.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 13

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to the VIN identified
in the address section printed below.

Subaru Recall Campaign WQN-50
NHTSA Recall No. 14V-577
October 2014

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
2015 model year Subaru Outback vehicles.
You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles.
REASON FOR THE RECALL
This recall applies to certain 2015 model year Subaru Outback vehicles equipped with a genuine Subaru
accessory trailer hitch assembly, specifically part number L101SAL010.
Mounting nuts included in the accessory trailer hitch assembly kit are used to affix the trailer hitch to eight
separate threaded studs welded to the body of the affected vehicles. Subaru has determined that during
the installation process, the installer may have applied excessive torque when tightening those mounting
nuts. If so, the threaded studs on the vehicle may have been damaged.
If excessive tightening of the mounting nuts occurred during installation of the accessory trailer hitch
assembly, the mounting nuts may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the threaded studs or
the threaded studs might break. If either of those conditions is experienced while a trailer is being towed,
the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle.
Either situation could possibly result in a crash.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REPAIR
Subaru will replace the mounting nuts for the accessory trailer hitch assembly and inspect the vehicle’s
threaded studs for damage. Any damaged studs will be replaced. This repair will be performed at no
charge to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should immediately contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment to have the accessory
trailer hitch assembly inspected and repaired.

UNTIL THIS REPAIR CAN BE PERFORMED, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO
NOT USE THE TRAILER HITCH.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

Page 14

HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The time to access and replace the mounting nuts for the accessory trailer hitch assembly, and to inspect
the vehicle’s threaded studs, is approximately one hour. If the inspection reveals that any of the studs
require replacement, your Subaru retailer may need to make arrangements to have the remainder of the
repair performed by an automotive body shop.
It may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled
appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling. If the repair cannot be completed the
same day it is started, Subaru will cover the expense of a loaner vehicle.
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 NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru retailer you can access our website at www.subaru.com and select ‘Find a
Retailer’.
If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
• By e-mail: Go to www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”.
• B
y Telephone: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)
Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET.
Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET
Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET
• B
y U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc., Attn. Customer Retailer Services
Department P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000.
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 1-888327-4236 (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.

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: WQN-50; Date: October 2014

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