A Message to Our Valued Owners:
We would like to thank you for your selection of a Subaru vehicle. At Subaru, we take pride in our products and are committed to your continued satisfaction. It is with your continued satisfaction in mind that we are announcing the following recall service program.
Subaru has determined that your vehicle may have been manufactured with brake lines that could, over time, corrode in the area of the four-way joint connector if exposed to salt.
Depending on driving conditions, salt water could splash on the brake lines in the area of the four-way joint connector resulting in corrosion of the lines. Excessive corrosion could eventually cause perforation of a brake line(s) resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Your vehicle has a dual circuit braking system. Each circuit works independently and diagonally across the vehicle. If one circuit of the brake system fails, the other half of the system still works. Should a brake line corrode to the point of developing a perforation, brake fluid will leak from the line(s) causing the related circuit to eventually lose effectiveness. In this situation, there would be an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance and foot pressure required to slow or stop the vehicle. This might cause the driver to misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
WQG-43 Safety Recall FAQs:
Q: Is it important that I have this recall done immediately?
A: This is a preventative measure. Please schedule an appointment with your servicing Subaru dealership, as soon as possible, as this is a safety related recall.
Q: What should I do?
A: Please contact your servicing Subaru dealership to set up a service appointment.
Q: What will be done to the vehicle?
A: Subaru will inspect and test the current condition of your vehicle’s brake lines. If they are found to be acceptable, anti-rust material will be applied to the areas of concern as a preventative measure. If any of the lines are found to be unacceptable, they will be replaced and anti-rust material will be applied to the uncoated brake line areas. These repairs will be performed at no cost to you.
This recall applies to the vehicle’s brake lines only. Brake system parts such as pads, rotors, anti-lock brakes, parking brake, etc. are not covered by this recall.
Q: What Subaru models are involved?
A: Some 2005-2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback models that currently are or were ever registered in the 20 “salt belt” states and Washington D.C.
Q: What are the 20 affected states?
A: The 20 states are as follows: Connecticut , Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C.
Q: What determines if my vehicle is part of the salt belt state?
A: States that use salt extensively on the road during the winter months are considered “salt belt” states. This determination is made through the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Q: How much will this recall cost?
A: This recall will be performed free of charge at any authorized Subaru dealership.
Q: If I had a repair already, what should I do?
A: If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru dealer in your area would charge for replacement of the recall components. Please send the original service repair order to the address appearing below. (Please retain a photocopy for your records.) The repair order should have the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at time of repair, complete vehicle identification number (17 digits), your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below. This process can take up to 60 days for this to be completed.
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
Attention: WQG-43 Recall
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Q: Do I have to return to the dealer where I bought the car?
A: Any authorized Subaru dealership will be able to perform this recall free of charge for you.
Q: Can I have this recall performed at an independent repair facility?
A: No, only an authorized Subaru dealership can perform this recall free of charge for you.
Q: How long will this repair take?
A: The time to inspect the brake lines and apply anti-rust material is approximately 18 minutes. If it is determined that the brake lines require replacement, the total estimated repair time is 7 hours. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer flexibility in scheduling.
(Please note that the notice you may have received indicates 5 hours; however, the 7 hour timeframe listed above is the correct repair time)
Q: Do I need to make an appointment?
A: Yes, please contact your authorized Subaru dealership to set up an appointment to ensure that the dealer is able to allocate a time slot to best accommodate you.
Q: If I live in Canada do I have to return to the United States to have this performed?
A: Any authorized Subaru dealership in either the United States or Canada is capable of performing this recall.
Q: If I no longer own the vehicle what should I do?
A: If you no longer own your vehicle, please complete the prepaid postcard enclosed with your notification letter and mail it to us.