Rear Subframe- Lateral Link Bracket Weld Inspection – 2018 Subaru Impreza

NHTSA ID Number: 10155213

Manufacturer Communication Number: WTX-83

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is initiating a service program for certain 2018 MY Impreza vehicles. This service program involves the inspection of a weld on the left (driver?s) side of the rear subframe assembly, and possible replacement of the rear subframe assembly. Due to a potential stamping issue of the lateral link bracket, the affected vehicles may contain an improperly placed weld on the left (driver?s) side of the rear subframe assembly. Although the weld may have been improperly placed, its placement does not affect the safe operation of the vehicle. However, if this condition exists, it may affect the driving feel of the vehicle.

 

1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
SUBARU	IMPREZA	2018

 

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INTRODUCTION:

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is initiating a service program for certain 2018 MY Impreza vehicles. This service program involves the inspection of a weld on the left (driver’s) side of the rear subframe assembly, and possible replacement of the rear subframe assembly.

Due to a potential stamping issue of the lateral link bracket, the affected vehicles may contain an improperly placed weld on the left (driver’s) side of the rear subframe assembly. Although the weld may have been improperly placed, its placement does not affect the safe operation of the vehicle. However, if this condition exists, it may affect the driving feel of the vehicle.

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Certain 2018 MY Impreza vehicles (177).  Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com. This data is now available.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail. Owners with a valid email address on file with MySubaru.com will also be notified by email. Owner notification will to occur this month.

 

RETAILER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY

Any vehicles listed in a recall or campaign that are in retailer 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 the applicable bulletin.

 

RETAILER AFFECTED VIN LISTS

Each Subaru retailer will receive an affected VIN list from their Zone Office when owner notification begins. Vehicles will be assigned to retailers in the affected VIN list based on the selling retailer

IMPORTANT:  Retailer affected VIN lists include information for vehicles affected by this service program. This information will enable retailers to follow up with owners of potentially affected vehicles. Retailers should limit the use of these lists for the sole purpose of completing this service program.

 

PART INFORMATION:

Description	Part Number
FRAME SUB ASSEMBLY-REAR SUSPENSION	20152FL01A**
**ONLY required in event weld failure is found.  Do NOT order for stock.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:

Step 1: Clean the area on the bottom of the lateral link bracket and verify the first 4 numbers of the

6-digit lot number as shown below. If the first 4-digits of the lot number are equal to or between 8215** and 8220**, proceed to Step 2 below.  If not, record the lot number on the repair order to complete the procedure. NOTE:  This lot number will be required for claim entry.

 

Step 2:  Insert the end of a standard 24” pry bar into the opening between the lateral link bracket and subframe to the left of the weld being inspected.  While prying, inspect the weld securing the bracket to the subframe closely as shown in the photo below. Use a helper if necessary.

 

Push UPWARD on the pry bar approximately 2” (3” MAX) to apply downward force on the bracket and weld as shown below.

 

If the weld is broken, cracked or at all damaged and the base metal is exposed, replace the rear subframe with a new part.  If the weld is OK, always make sure to touch-up any paint damage from the pry bar.  Wipe the area clean with mild solvent on a fresh shop cloth, allow to dry then apply rustpreventative touch-up** to prevent corrosion.

**Rust-Oleum semi-gloss black aerosol spray paint (or equivalent).

REMINDER:  Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs. If subframe replacement is required, refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the full requirements of the repair being performed.  The Service Manual procedures contain information critical to performing an effective repair the first time and every time.  This includes but is not limited to: important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria, necessary special tools, required processes and related one-time-use parts needed for a complete and lasting repair.

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OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER

This notice applies to the VIN identified in the address section printed below.

Dear Subaru Owner:

 

Subaru Service Program WTX-83 February 2019

We would like to thank you for your selection of a Subaru vehicle.  We take pride in our products and are committed to your continued satisfaction.

Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a service program for certain 2018 MY Impreza vehicles. This service program involves the inspection of a weld on the left (driver’s) side of the rear subframe assembly, and possible replacement of the rear subframe assembly.

You received this notice because our records indicate that you purchased one of these vehicles. In the interest of your continued satisfaction, we would like to ensure that your vehicle is inspected for this condition and if necessary, a corrected subframe assembly will be installed.

 

DESCRIPTION

Due to a potential stamping issue of the lateral link bracket, the affected vehicles may contain an improperly placed weld on the left (driver’s) side of the rear subframe assembly. Although the weld may have been improperly placed, its placement does not affect the safe operation of the vehicle. However, if this condition exists, it may affect the driving feel of the vehicle.

 

WHAT WE WILL DO

Subaru will inspect the rear subframe assembly of your vehicle and if necessary, replace the assembly at no cost to you.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) for an appointment to have the inspection performed, to determine whether the subframe assembly needs to be replaced. To minimize your inconvenience while the repair is being performed, please ask your retailer for alternative transportation options.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?

The time to inspect the rear subframe assembly is approximately 20 minutes.  However, in the event that the subframe assembly needs to be replaced, the replacement time is approximately six hours. Therefore, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time to allow for flexibility in scheduling.

 

CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU?

If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please update this information online at 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’
• By telephone: 1-844-373-6614
  Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

• By U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc.
  Attn: Customer-Retailer Services Department
  P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877

Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge.

Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us.  Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest of 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 SUBARU CORPORATION

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NUMBER: WTX-83
DATE: 02/12/19

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10155213

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10155213-9999.pdf

 

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