Skip to main content
Car Safety DB

NHTSA Campaign Number

12V602000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

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 78,650 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).

Safety 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 began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

What This Recall Page Shows

This page summarizes a single NHTSA recall campaign, including the defect description, safety consequence, and manufacturer's remedy. The affected vehicles listed below are the make/model/year combinations tracked in our database — this is not a VIN-specific result. To check whether your individual vehicle is covered by this recall, enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Click any vehicle below to view its full safety profile.

Affected Vehicles (15)

YearMakeModel
2009SubaruForester
2010SubaruForester
2011SubaruForester
2012SubaruForester
2010SubaruLegacy
2011SubaruLegacy
2010SubaruOutback
2011SubaruOutback
2006SubaruTribeca
2007SubaruTribeca
2008SubaruTribeca
2009SubaruTribeca
2010SubaruTribeca
2011SubaruTribeca
2012SubaruTribeca

Browse Affected Vehicles

This recall information is from NHTSA campaign 12V602000. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA. Contact your dealer or call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.