HVAC Blower Fan Inoperative – 2012-2018 Subaru

NHTSA ID Number: 10169881

Manufacturer Communication Number: 10-96-19

Summary

This bulletin announces availability of a new HVAC blower motor unit assemblies developed to address isolated concerns of the blower motor becoming inoperative. If this issues occurs on models with Auto A/C, the blower fan may become totally inoperative. If this issue occurs on models with Manual A/C, the blower fan may operate on high speed only. The root cause of these conditions is water intrusion into the blower motor causing rust and corrosion to develop. Over time, the blower motor may begin to draw more electrical current to operate. if that occurs, the additional draw can cause the related fuse and/ or blower resistor to fail. To address this condition, additional packing has been added to improve sealing of the blower unit case along with development of a new style cabin air filter which also in corporates improved sealing.

 

23 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
SUBARU	CROSSTREK	2013-2017
SUBARU	FORESTER	2014-2018
SUBARU	IMPREZA	2012-2016
SUBARU	WRX	2015-2018
SUBARU	WRX STI	2015-2018

 

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NUMBER: 10-96-19
DATE: 12/13/19

APPLICABILITY:	2012-16MY Impreza 2013-17MY Crosstrek 2014-18MY Forester 2015-18MY WRX and WRX STI
SUBJECT:	HVAC Blower Fan Inoperative

 

INTRODUCTION:

This bulletin announces availability of new HVAC blower motor unit assemblies developed to address isolated concerns of the blower motor becoming inoperative.  If this issue occurs on models with Auto A/C, the blower fan may become totally inoperative.  If this issue occurs on models with Manual A/C, the blower fan may operate on high speed only.  The root cause of these conditions is water intrusion into the blower motor causing rust and corrosion to develop.  Over time, the blower motor may begin to draw more electrical current to operate.  If that occurs, the additional draw can cause the related fuse and/or the blower resistor to fail.  To address this condition, additional packing has been added to improve sealing of the blower unit case along with development of a new style cabin air filter which also incorporates improved sealing.

 

PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:

Model	Starting VIN
Forester	JH576848
WRX & WRX STI	J9838468

 

The improved blower motor units were incorporated into  production as per the table here.

 

PART INFORMATION:

Description	Part Number	Note
BLOWER & COOLING UNIT	72210FJ033	Models w/ AUTO A/C
	72210FJ043	Models w/ MANUAL A/C
CABIN AIR FILTER **	72880FJ000	For use with new blower units

 

REMINDER:  Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being repaired.

**NOTE:  The new filter, p.n. 72880FJ000 can be used in place of the prior p.n. 72880FG000 but not vice-versa.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:

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

The service procedures for replacing the blower motor unit 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.

NOTES: Since ECM removal is necessary per the Service Manual procedure, battery disconnect is required.  Always make sure to record (and reset when repairs are completed) the customer’s radio station presets and Navigation Favorites (where applicable).

 

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:

For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:

Labor Description	Labor Operation #	Labor Time	Fail Code
Blower Housing R&R	B725-001	0.7	YDB-35

 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.
• Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.
• Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

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NUMBER: 10-96-19
DATE: 12/13/19

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10169881

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10169881-0001.pdf

 

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