('09-'13) WQE-41 - Puddle Lamp Recall (merged thread)

[toysbyus]

See the attached link to AutoBlog for this..........not sure how many cars are affected BUT read it.

Subaru recalling almost 634,000 CUVs, sedans for possible puddle light short

I thought that the puddle lamps were a dealer option that some members had installed themselves. Seems like there were a lot of them failing as I recall........

Steve



Official info:

Make: SUBARU

Model: FORESTER

Model Year: 2012

Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Report Receipt Date: DEC 26, 2012

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V602000

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Summary:
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 53,999 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Consequence:
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.


Remedy:
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Notes:
Subaru's recall campaign number is WQE-41. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

[DaveB420]

Thank You for posting this. I was thinking about ordering a new bulb for the one that blew on my XT or wait until winter is over. It would be the last of the originals to blow out. My first blew out in less than 3 months. 2nd one at 6 months, 3rd at 18 months and the last about 3 years. I wonder if they will replace my bulb as good faith gesture.

Just like the article, I thought(I am sure it was said by others in other threads) that it was poor waterproofing and drainage.

[toysbyus]

Dave, in reading the linked article, it implies that the puddle lamps that are recalled are NOT the ones that were installed in the lower doors BUT, instead, were part of the rear view mirror assemblies.......I didn't even know that Foresters had them in the mirrors.

The posts on the Forums referred to dealer or owner installed options that frequently shorted or burned out......

Which one do you have?

Steve

[DaveB420]

Thanks for that. Yes, I guess I breezed past that. I have the 4 puddle lights under the car.
I thought it was the under car lights b/c 2009 and 2010 foresters didn't have the lights in the mirrors, some people have them but it wasn't a dealer installed option at purchase b/c they didn't come out until 2011. So I would guess why they would reference 2009 and 2010 b/c people bought the assemblys and installed them after the fact.

[toysbyus]

Ohhhhh.........so the 2011 and up had them in the rear view mirrors??? Seems like SOA had better issue some sort of recall of the door mounted puddles since they were an OEM part and, as such, should be covered by any recall.......

Hope that they get you some sort of replacements........

Steve

[grumpypants]

Thanks very much for posting this. The AutoBlog article is confusing because there are no puddle lights mounted under the door mirrors (assuming they mean the side view mirrors) on my MY2011 Forester. The only puddle lights I have ever seen are those that were factory installed or added as an accessory under the exterior black trim under the doors. My Forester came with them from the factory. Will check out the NHTSA recall notice. Thanks again!

[grumpypants]

This is what the recall says:

It's definitely for the puddle lights that go under the trim below the doors...

Summary:
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 53,999 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).

Consequence:
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.

Remedy:
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Notes:
Subaru's recall campaign number is WQE-41. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

[toysbyus]

Good deal, guys!

Now, it makes sense. I know that some cars DO have puddle lamps in the mirror housings BUT not Subes.......not yet.

Steve

[DaveB420]

Thank you Grumpy for clearing up the under the mirror that there is no light. I wasn't sure if there was a light in on the underside. I know there was a turn signal in the mirrors. Figured that was an entry point after the rereading of the article.

I am glad that it is the puddle lights, my initial thoughts upon reading, on the underside of the side skirts. There has been a lot of complaints with them after the SH came out.

[grumpypants]

No problem! Luckily, I haven't had any trouble with mine after 15 months and hope not to after the recall is done.

[lfdal]

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
SUBARU / FORESTER 2009-2012

SUBARU / LEGACY 2010-2011

SUBARU / OUTBACK 2010-2011

SUBARU / TRIBECA 2006-2012

Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Report Receipt Date: DEC 26, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V602000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 633,842
Summary:
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 53,999 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Consequence:
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy:
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information

Just a heads up, I've got puddle lights so I'll be waiting for the recall.

[infinitempg]

Got word of this today, too. A friend forwarded me this LINK Seems this is for Foresters up to and including some 2012 models. Since I have a 2013 I guess I can assume I'm safe

[Sarkus]

What I found weird about the recall is that Subaru apparently doesn't know which vehicles are affected. You would think they would have a definative list of factory installed and that they would likely also have access to dealer installed versions, since that information should be part of the database Subaru dealers have access to.

[jkoppee]

I love how the headline is "Subaru recalls 634 THOUSAND cars" but oh by the way the recall probably only affects like 50 - 60 thousand.

Sarkus, they may not know because not every set has been installed by the dealer. I'm sure there are many people that bought the lights from the dealer or an online dealer and installed them on their own.

[daviddeep]

My wife just told me about this puddle light recall; apparently the media is making a big deal about it since it is the first auto recall of the New Year. My '13 Forester came with these stupid puddle lights already installed when we bought it in November.

See sample article from Edmunds.com:

Subaru Recalls 633,842 Vehicles, Including 2009-'12 Subaru Forester

According to the various articles I've read, the recall only extends to model year 2009-2012 Foresters sold before January 2012. Did Subaru actually redesign the puddle lamps for later cars? Should I contact the dealer and have them inspect my lamps anyway? I suppose there's not much that can be done until the recall campaign officially begins in February anyway.