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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PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2009-2012MY Subaru Forester
Rear Seat Center Seatbelt

NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:

WQA-37
March 2012
10/29/14

Subaru has prepared a new repair kit for this campaign. As a result, there are two
separate WQA-37 Seatbelt Kits available, Kit 1 or Kit 2. Only one kit is needed for
each vehicle and either one is acceptable for completing this recall. Kit 1 will be
reintroduced when inventory of Kit 2 has been depleted. This bulletin has been revised
to include repair instructions for both kits. The installation instructions for Kit 2 begin
on pg. 14.
INTRODUCTION
Subaru has determined that certain 2009 through 2012 model year Forester vehicles have been
manufactured with a rear seat center seatbelt that does not comply with the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard requirement for securing a child restraint system (CRS) also known
as a “child safety seat”.
The rear center seatbelt may not adequately secure certain CRSs that require a short belt
routing configuration for attachment. This seatbelt contains an Automatic Locking Retractor
that may not lock as intended when such a configuration is used, preventing a tight and secure
installation of the CRS. If the CRS is not properly secured, the CRS may not provide the protection it was designed to provide, and the child occupying the CRS may be at an increased
risk of injury in the event of a crash.
This recall will involve updating the rear seat center seatbelt on all affected vehicles.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
2009-2012 Model Year Forester: 2012 model vehicles will have a production update
beginning March 14, 2012. Vehicles produced on or after this date are not affected by
this recall campaign.
Affected VINs are contained in the following range.

Forester

Model
From
To
2009MY
JF2SH6*6*9*700001 JF2SH6*6*9*797855
2010MY
JF2SH6*C*A*700001 JF2SH6*C*A*918317
2011MY
JF2SH**C*B*700001 JF2SH**C*B*783898
2012MY
JF2SH**C*C*400002 JF2SH**C*C*457256
* Various Characters may occupy this position

Recall coverage for all potentially affected vehicles must be confirmed by using Vehicle
Coverage Inquiry in Subarunet.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 1

OWNER NOTIFICATION
There will be two owner notification letters sent.
The first owner notification letter was mailed on or about March 26, 2012. The letter explains
the condition associated with the rear seat center seatbelt and advises vehicle owners that they
will be notified by a second letter when repair parts become available.
The second owner notification letter will be sent when an adequate supply of replacement
parts are available. It is anticipated that letters will be mailed according to the following
schedule.
2012MY
2011MY
2010MY
2009MY

Beginning on or about 5/1/12
Beginning on or about 8/1/12
Beginning on or about 10/1/12
Beginning on or about 1/1/13

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 will be notified
electronically on the same date letters are mailed.

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 2

PARTS INFORMATION
There are two separate WQA37 Seatbelt Kits available, Kit 1 or Kit 2. Only one kit is needed
for each vehicle and either one is acceptable for completing this recall. The part numbers
are listed in the following chart. Kit 1 will be reintroduced when inventory of Kit 2 has been
depleted.
Since each kit has specific repair instructions, please be sure to follow the instructions found
in the repair section of this bulletin for the kit being used.
Based on the interior color, identify the actual part number needed in the chart below.
Name

Description
Kit 1

WQA37 Seatbelt Kit
Kit 2

Part Number
64665SC030AP
64665SC030AR
64665SC040AP
64665SC040AR

Color
Gray
Black
Gray
Black

The following additional parts may also be needed in some instances where the clips are
compromised during the repair process.
Part Number
94482FC001LO
94482FC501LO
64396KA010

Name
Seatbelt Cap – No Sunroof
Seatbelt Cap – W/Sunroof
Hook Rear Seat Cushion

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR INSTALLATION OF KIT 1 ONLY
It will be necessary to make two headliner supports using the following materials.
Diagrams can be found on pages 17~18.
2-welding rods 3mm (1/8 in.) in diameter
Vinyl tape
Clean shop rags

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 3

SERVICE PROCEDURE
There are two separate WQA37 Seatbelt Kits available, Kit 1 or Kit 2. Only one kit is needed
for each vehicle and either one is acceptable for completing this recall. The applicable part
numbers are listed in the chart found on page 3.
The repair procedure will consist of replacing the rear center seating position seatbelt buckles
and, when installing Kit 1, the rear center seating position retractable shoulder belt.
In preparation for installing Kit 1 only, prepare two headliner supports, one of each design
using the materials listed above and the diagrams found on pages 31-32.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR KIT 1
Note: Make sure to note the orientation of the seatbelt buckle prior to removal.
Before beginning, ensure your clothing and hands are free from dirt and grease.
Find a clear and clean area to lay removed rear seat cushion to avoid getting dirt on
or damaging it.
1. Record preset radio stations.
2. Turn ignition switch to OFF. Disconnect the ground cable from battery, and wait for 60
seconds or more before starting work.
3. (Models with seat table). Flip open the seat table of the rear seat cushion and remove
trim cover. Disconnect the table light (white) wiring connector. Caution: Do not
disconnect the satellite safing sensor wiring connector. Remove the 4 (10mm) bolts.

Table light
wiring connector

Seat Anchor locations depending upon applicability (with or without seat table).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 4

Remove the seat cushion
4. Disengage the backrest hook (A) by pushing it back while lifting the front side of the
seat cushion. Perform the same procedure on the opposite side. Remove seat cushion
from vehicle.

With seat table

Without seat table
Caution: If the cushion anchor hooks (either two or three, see drawings above) on the
vehicle body side are disengaged (remain on the seat cushion) when removing
the rear seat cushion, always replace with new cushion anchor hooks to prevent
any reduction in the retention force.

SE-01117

SE-00937

Cushion Anchor Hook

Seat Anchor Locations

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 5

Note: Make sure to note the orientation of the seatbelts prior to removal.
The center seatbelt with “Key Slot Release” requires replacement.
The center seatbelt buckle marked “Center” requires replacement.

Note: Make sure to note the location of the seatbelt brackets.

Bracket

Bracket

5. Unwrap the Velcro® strap and remove the bolt to remove the seatbelts.
Perform the same procedure on the opposite side.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 6

6. Separate seatbelt brackets by removing bolt and washer. Discard bolt and washer.

Bolt and
Washer

7. Reassemble both belt assemblies using new inner belt and bolt in the same orientation
as original. Note: Washer is not required.
Caution: Make sure new belt bracket is on the bottom.
8. Reinstall assemblies into vehicle and torque to spec. 30 N-m (3.06 kgf-m, 22.1 ft-lb)

New Seat
Belts

Note: The replacement belts will be shorter than the original belts. This is intentional. Always
use matched belt sets. Do not intermix original and campaign belts

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 7

9. Reinstall the seat cushion. To facilitate positioning of the seatbelts in the cushion,
connect all of the seatbelts. The next step will require an assistant. With each person
holding the left and right seatbelts respectively, slide the cushion into place while
pulling the belt buckles into position in the seat cushion opening.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 8

This page should clarify two areas of the Campaign and does not represent any change in
procedure. The first clarification is the length of the recall belt. By design, the recall replacement
belt is shorter than the original belt.
ORIGINAL
BELTS

RECALL
BELTS

Note the
orientation of
the center belt

Note the
orientation of
the center belt

The second clarification is the final buckle/ latch orientation for the center belt. The red latch
release button must face away from the seating position it services. Access to the red latch release
button must not be blocked by the belt when it is latched in place for use.
Original
Belts

Original Belts
Final Installed
Orientation

Recall
Belts

Recall Belt Final
Installed Orientation
must be the same as
original belt

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 9

10. Disconnect the belts and position the buckles as shown.
Center Seat Belt Buckles

Outer Seat Belt Buckles
Proper seatbelt buckle(s) positioning
11. (Models with seat table) Connect the table light (white) wiring connector. Install the 4
(10mm) bolts and install trim cover.
Rear center seatbelt
1. Carefully remove the belt trim cover (B). Pull the outer seatbelt center tongue (A)
through the headliner opening.

2. Remove the right rear quarter panel trim covers (A) and (B).

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 10

3. Remove the front machine screw and 2 rear sheet metal screws from the right rear
quarter panel trim.

4. Carefully unclip the right rear quarter panel trim from body. It is not necessary to
remove the panel. Only move it out slightly to allow the headliner to be lowered.
Protect the trim edge from chafing the headliner using a shop rag or other suitable
cushion. Unclip the rear upper headliner trim.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 11

Caution: Headliner supports will prevent the headliner from creasing or bending, the
headliner should not be allowed to drop more than 4 inches on the right side
and 1.5 inches on the left side. Headliner supports must be used to prevent
damage.

Right side

Left side

Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 12

5. Install headliner supports.

Headliner supports in place

Left side headliner support
Place over the tailgate opening
to bottom edge of headliner

Right side headliner support
Hook to tether anchor, then route
through headliner opening for tether
and attach to rear gate stay.

Note: Use clean shop rags to protect trim and painted surfaces.
6. Remove the bolt and rear center seatbelt.

Bolt

7. Install new rear center seatbelt and bolt.
Caution: Carefully start bolt by hand to prevent cross-threading.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 13

8. Torque bolt to 30 N-m (3.06 kgf-m, 22.1 ft-lb)
9. Remove headliner supports.
10. Install trim in reverse order of removal.
11. Make sure that the seatbelt extends smoothly, retracts properly and the Automatic/
Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) features function properly.
12. Reconnect ground battery cable.
13. Reset radio stations and set clock.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR KIT 2
Subaru has prepared a new kit for the WQA-37 recall. Both kits are appropriate, however,
Kit 1 will be reintroduced as soon as inventory of Kit 2 is depleted. If you have Kit 2 in your
inventory, or receive Kit 2 from your PDC, you should continue to install that kit until
inventory is depleted. IMPORTANT: Never combine parts between kits.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE PROCEDURE BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL KIT 2.
Note: The repair procedure for Kit 2 eliminates the need to replace the rear center
seating position retractable shoulder belt assembly located above the head liner.
KIT 2 Components
Center Seat Belt Buckles with Brackets

Center Seat Belt
Buckle Stabilizer
Right

Center Seat Belt
Buckle Stabilizer
Left

Center Seat Belt Tongue Stiffener & Tack Assy.

Figure 1: WQA-37 Kit 2
Note: The belts for Kit 2 are shorter than original belts and also shorter than those used for Kit 1.
This is intentional.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: WQA-37; Date: October 2014

Page 14

Outer Seat
Belt Buckles

Center Seat Belt Buckles
Figure 2: Installed View Passenger side
without seat

Figure 3: Installed View Driver side
without seat

NOTE: Stabilizers installed in photos below for illustration only. Actual installation