Gap Between Top of Glove Box and Instrument Panel – 2012-2017 Subaru

NHTSA ID Number: 10150932

Manufacturer Communication Number: 12-251-18

Summary

This bulletin provides a service procedure to address a gap between the top edge of the door and the instrument panel on the models listed as shown in the photo below. The gap may also make the glove box door difficult to close fully.There is a latch to keep the glove box closed on both sides of the glove box door. If the door is closed without using enough force to engage both latches or by pushing it shut on just one side instead of in the middle, one may close and not the other. Over time, if the door is not fully closed with both latches, high cabin temperatures along with weight of the items inside the glove box may cause the assembly to deform slightly and a gap to develop.

 

26 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
SUBARU	BRZ	2013-2017
SUBARU	CROSSTREK	2013-2017
SUBARU	FORESTER	2014-2017
SUBARU	IMPREZA	2012-2017
SUBARU	WRX	2015-2017
SUBARU	WRX STI	2015-2017

 

---

INTRODUCTION:

This bulletin provides a service procedure to address a gap between the top edge of the door and the instrument panel on the models listed as shown in the photo below.  The gap may also make the glove box door difficult to close fully.

There is a latch to keep the glove box closed on both sides of the glove box door.  If the door is closed without using enough force to engage both latches or by pushing it shut on just one side instead of in the middle, one may close and not the other.  Over time, if the door is not fully closed with both latches, high cabin temperatures along with weight of the items inside the glove box may cause the assembly to deform slightly and a gap to develop.

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• 5 or 6mm (hole diameter) flat washers with a .8 to 1mm thickness to use as a shim(s)

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:

REMINDER:  Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.

The service procedures for removal of the glove box assembly and related trim components remain unchanged.  Always 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.

REMINDER:  Always take the proper precautions to protect the surfaces of these highly visible trim panels and the surrounding components from damage during removal and re-installation.

• CAREFULLY remove the glove box assembly by first removing the damper then releasing the 2 stoppers and pulling it toward you as shown in the illustrations below.              

• Using a plastic trim tool, release the clips and remove the kick panel trim and under cover.

• Using a plastic trim tool, release the clips and remove the instrument panel trim and end cover.
• Using a plastic trim tool, release the LED glove box light and disconnect the harness connector.
• Remove the 5 screws, disengage the claws and CAREFULLY remove the glove box inner panel. This will expose the instrument panel vertical support beam.
• Start by installing one flat washer as a shim between the back side of the inner panel and the support beam. Place an inner panel retaining screw back into the hole indicated by the yellow arrow then put the washer on the threaded portion.  As an alternative, use a small piece of tape to hold the washer in place on the support beam while refitting the inner panel.  The yellow arrow on the illustration below indicates the screw hole where the shim belongs.

• Re-assemble in reverse order of disassembly and check for any remaining gap.
  • If the gap is reduced but still visible, repeat the above procedure and add additional shim(s) as needed to eliminate the gap.
  • If the gap is now on the opposite end of the glove box door, repeat the procedure and replace the previously installed shim with a thinner one.
  • If the gap is even all the way across and the glove box door closes properly (latched on both sides), the procedure is complete.

---

---

NUMBER: 12-251-18
DATE: 10/09/18

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10150932

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10150932-9999.pdf

 

---

NUMBER: 12-251-18
DATE: 10/09/18

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10150887

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10150887-9999.pdf

 

---