WRE-22 – Backup Lamp Switch Failure – 2015-2021 Subaru WRX

July 21, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V522000

Inoperative Backup Lights and Rearview Image

Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522

Manufacturer Subaru of America, Inc.

Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Potential Number of Units Affected 59,934

 

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

 

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 19, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru’s customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRE-22.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check if your Subaru has a Recall

 


NUMBER: WRE-22R
DATE: 09/02/22
REVISED: 01/05/24
NHTSA: 22V-522

APPLICABILITY:2015-2021 MY WRX STI
SUBJECT:Safety Recall – Back-Up Lamp Switch Failure

 

UPDATE – November 2023: Please refer to the revised repair procedures contained in this bulletin. The intention of these revisions is to eliminate the need to remove exhaust components and the propeller shaft. The claim reimbursement labor time has not been changed.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK

The operating environment of the backup lamp switch may expose the internal switch contacts to heated oil. When heated, sulfur in the oil may cause a chemical reaction with the materials used on the switch terminal contact surfaces and plate spring.  This chemical reaction may cause corrosion and a non-conductive film to form on the contacts resulting in poor electrical conductivity.

Over time, the backup lamp switch may become inoperative which may result in the backup lamps not illuminating when in reverse gear, the rear-view camera (if equipped) not displaying an image, and the select lever/gear position indicator in the combination meter not displaying ‘R’ for reverse gear.

If the backup lamps do not illuminate when the vehicle is in reverse gear, this may reduce the awareness of other motorists or road users of the driver’s intention to operate the vehicle in reverse, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a rear-view camera (if equipped) that does not display an image can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

REMEDY

For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will conduct an inspection and replace the backup lamp switch with improved one, if necessary, at no cost to the customer.

 

Affected Vehicles

A total of 59,934 U.S. WRX STI vehicles will be affected by this recall, as listed below:

Model YearCarlineProduction Date Range
2015-2021WRX STINovember 14, 2013 – October 21, 2021

Not all vehicles in the production range listed above are affected by this recall. Coverage must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com prior to repair.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Subaru will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail on September 16, 2022.

 

 


Chronology :

October 2019 – Subaru received the first field report from the U.S. market

February 2020 – Subaru identified a non-conductive film that builds up on the terminal contact surfaces and plate spring surfaces, when exposed to heated oil, resulting in electrical failure of the switch. Test results indicated that this condition could only be achieved under excessive or abusive driving conditions.

March 2021 – Subaru identified an unexpected increase in field reports from another market and determined that further investigation was required.

September 2021 – Based on additional testing, Subaru found that the non-conductive film can build up at a slightly lower temperature than originally determined when continuously exposed to the heated oil over extended driving periods.

July 14, 2022 – Subaru is aware of only one technical report and 0 VOQs in the U.S. market. Subaru is not aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from this condition. Out of an abundance of caution, Subaru decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

 


7 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKEMODELYEAR
SUBARUWRX2015-2021

 


14 Associated Documents

Subaru – Subarunet Announcement – July 2022

RCMN-22V522-5270.pdf 188.057KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V522-6323.pdf 645.784KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V522-7817.PDF 214.808KB

 


Subaru – Subarunet Announcement – August 2022

RCMN-22V522-3455.pdf 197.591KB

 


Subaru – Tool Kit Notification – August 2022

RCMN-22V522-8011.pdf 158.273KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V522-7930.pdf 7417.286KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V522-8642.pdf 212.494KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V522-1338.pdf 10725.957KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V522-7722.pdf 4321.483KB

 


ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-22V522-1875.pdf 3856.909KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – UPDATE Safety Recall: WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure Owner Re-Notification

RCMN-22V522-5766.pdf 190.96KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V522-2370.pdf 2736.483KB

 


ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-22V522-0100.pdf 215.073KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #6, 2023-4

RCLQRT-22V522-9830.PDF 211.815KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10249598

Manufacturer Communication Number: WRE-22R

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX STI vehicles, which may contain a defective back-up lamp switch.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: WRE-22R
DATE: 09/02/22
REVISED: 01/05/24
NHTSA: 22V-522

MC-10249598-0001.pdf 2736.483KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10249593

Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX STI vehicles, which may contain a defective backup lamp switch.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Date: January 4, 2024
UPDATE Safety Recall: WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure

MC-10249593-0001.pdf 190.96KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10225769

Manufacturer Communication Number: WRE-22R

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX STI vehicles, which may contain a defective back-up lamp switch.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: WRE-22R
DATE: 09/02/22
REVISED: 10/18/22
NHTSA: 22V-522

MC-10225769-0001.pdf 21743.199KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10222335

Manufacturer Communication Number: WRE-22

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX STI vehicles, which may contain a defective back-up lamp switch.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

NUMBER: WRE-22
DATE: 09/02/22
NHTSA: 22V-522

MC-10222335-0001.pdf 21068.705KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10219494

Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ

Summary

WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure safety recall

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Date: August 26, 2022

MC-10219494-0001.pdf 197.591KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10216994

Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2015-2021 model year WRX STI vehicles, which may contain a defective backup lamp switch.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Date: July 25, 2022
New Safety Recall: WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure

MC-10216994-0001.pdf 188.057KB

 


 

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