WRJ-22 Seat Belt Assembly Malfunction – 2009-2013 Subaru Forester

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Bulletin Number: WRJ-22R; Revised: 12/09/22 Page 1 of 7 PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Continued… CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS. Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. Subaru of America, Inc. is ISO 14001 Compliant ISO 14001 is the international standard for excellence in Environmental Management Systems. Please recycle or dispose of automotive products in a manner that is friendly to our environment and in accordance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. NUMBER: WRJ-22 DATE: 11/11/22 REVISED: 12/09/22 NHTSA ID: 22V-838 APPLICABILITY: 2009-2013 MY Forester SUBJECT: Defective Left Front Seat Belt installed as a replacement part Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been installed as a replacement part. DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK A left front seat belt assembly, installed in vehicles as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly may not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury. REMEDY For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the identification number of the left front seat belt and replace it with a new one, if necessary, at no cost to the customer. AFFECTED VEHICLES A total of 16 U.S. Forester vehicles will be included in this recall, as listed below: Model Year Carline Production Date Range 2009-2013 Forester January 10, 2008 – November 14, 2012 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. This information is now available. ATTENTION: GENERAL MANAGER q PARTS MANAGER q CLAIMS PERSONNEL q SERVICE MANAGER q IMPORTANT – All Service Personnel Should Read and Initial in the boxes provided, right. ©2022 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Bulletin Number: WRJ-22R; Revised: 12/09/22 Page 2 of 7 Continued… RETAILER RESPONSIBILITY Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to $22,423 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement. Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be: • Immediately identified • Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair • Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle. OWNER NOTIFICATION Subaru is in the process of obtaining current vehicle registration data and will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail within 60 days. Retailers will be advised when the notification is scheduled. PART INFORMATION: The torsion bar portion of the force limiter mechanism may have a distorted shape due to foreign matter inside the metal mold during production. The production equipment and inspection process has been redelvolped to rectify the seat belt production. REMINDER: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being repaired. Bulletin Number: WRJ-22R; Revised: 12/09/22 Page 3 of 7 Continued… Part Description Part Number BELT ASSY F OUT ULH (LEFT) 64621SC010AP SERVICE PROCEDURE OVERVIEW FLOWCHART: SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION: REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs. STEP 1: Locate the large tag located on the left front seat belt. Read the 6-digit identification number labeled “ID.NO.” If the number found is 373736, the seat belt MUST be replaced. A non-affected identification number (001994) is shown in the example image below. Is identification number 373736 found printed on the tag? YES – Proceed to STEP 2. NO – The seatbelt is not affected. The procedure is finished. L H Bulletin Number: WRJ-22R; Revised: 12/09/22 Page 4 of 7 Continued… STEP 2: The service procedures for the left front seat belt replacement 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, 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. Refer to STIS: Airbag System & Seat Belt System > SEAT BELT SYSTEM > Front Seat Belt IMPORTANT: ALL affected seat belts must be returned to the Parts Collection Center (PCC). Please collect and Hazmat ship with tracking to: Parts Collection Center 3701 David Howarth Dr Suite B Lafayette, IN 47909 CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES: Credit to perform this recall will be based on properly completed repair order information. Retailers may submit claims through Subarunet.com. Labor Description Labor Operation # Labor Time Fail Code SEAT BELT INSPECTION A065-700 0.2 WRJ-22 SEAT BELT INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT A913-720 0.6 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. Subaru of America, Inc PO Box 9103 Camden, NJ 08101-9877 844-373-6614 www.subaru.com Subaru Safety Recall WRJ-22 NHTSA ID 22V-838 December 2022 URGENT IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL This notice applies to the VIN identified in the address section printed below Dear Subaru Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles. You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles. DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK Our records indicate that the left front seat belt assembly in your vehicle, installed as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly may not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury. WHAT SUBARU WILL DO Subaru will inspect the identification number on the left front seat belt assembly in your vehicle and replace the seat belt with a new one, if necessary, at no cost to you. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Please contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) immediately for an appointment to have this repair performed, at no cost to you. HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE? The time to inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, is less than 40 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling. OWNER INFORMATION Government regulations require that recall notifications be sent to the last known owner of record. That information is based primarily on state registration and title data. If you are a lessor of this vehicle, federal regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten days. If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please go to https://www.subaru.com/support/ customer-support.html to send us your information. IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would charge for the same repair. Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at the time of repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below. Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department, Attention: WRJ-22 Recall P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877 Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 60 days for this process to be completed. 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 “Customer Support” • 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 Advocacy Department P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877 To subscribe to the NHTSA Recall Notification email System, please go to: https://wwwodi. nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions. A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.NHTSA.gov if you believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to remedy your vehicle without charge within a reasonable amount of time. Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and 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. Sincerely, Subaru of America, Inc.

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Subaru of America, Inc. P.O. Box 9103 Camden, NJ 08101-9877 844-373-6614 www.subaru.com Dear Subaru Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles. You received this notice because our records indicate that you currently own one of these vehicles. DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT AND SAFETY RISK Our records indicate that the left front seat belt assembly in your vehicle, installed as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly may not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury. WHAT SUBARU WILL DO Subaru will inspect the identification number on the left front seat belt assembly in your vehicle and replace the seat belt with a new one, if necessary, at no cost to you. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Please contact your Subaru retailer (dealer) immediately for an appointment to have this repair performed, at no cost to you. HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE? The time to inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, is less than 40 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your Subaru retailer flexibility in scheduling. OWNER INFORMATION Government regulations require that recall notifications be sent to the last known owner of record. That information is based primarily on state registration and title data. If you are a lessor of this vehicle, federal regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten days. If you have moved or sold your vehicle, please go to https://www.subaru.com/support/customer-support.html to send us your information. IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR If you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru retailer in your area would charge for the same repair. Please send the original service repair order, which has the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at the time of repair, complete 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below. Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department, Attention: WRJ-22 Recall P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877 Subaru Safety Recall WRJ-22 NHTSA ID 22V-838 December 2022 URGENT IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL This notice applies to the VIN identified in the address section printed below Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 60 days for this process to be completed. 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 “Customer Support” • 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 Advocacy Department P.O. Box 9103, Camden, NJ 08101-9877 To subscribe to the NHTSA Recall Notification email System, please go to: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions. Please contact us immediately if the Subaru retailer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.NHTSA.gov if you believe the Subaru retailer has failed or is unable to remedy your vehicle without charge within a reasonable amount of time. Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and 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. Sincerely, Subaru of America, Inc. A subsidiary of SUBARU CORPORATION

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Subarunet Announcement To: All Subaru Retailers From: Subaru of America, Inc. Date: November 11, 2022 New Safety Recall: WRJ-22 Forester left front seat belt installed as a replacement part Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been installed as a replacement part. Description of the Defect and Safety Risk A left front seat belt assembly, installed in vehicles as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly may not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the identification number on the seat belt tag and, where necessary, replace it with a new one, at no cost to the customer. Affected Vehicles A total of 16 U.S. Forester vehicles will be included in this recall, as listed below: Model Year Carline Production Date Range 2009-2013 Forester January 10, 2008 – November 14, 2012 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. This information is now available. Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions For detailed service, parts, and claim instructions, please refer to the WRJ-22 Product Campaign Bulletin which is now available on STIS. Retailer Responsibility Please be advised that it is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by a recall under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied. Therefore, any Authorized Subaru Retailer failing to perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory prior to the vehicle being placed in service may be subject to civil penalties of up to $22,423 per violation (i.e., for each vehicle), as provided in 49 CFR §578.6 and will also be in breach of the Subaru Dealer Agreement. Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be: ▪ Immediately identified ▪ Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair ▪ Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle. Owner Notification Subaru is in the process of obtaining current vehicle registration data, and will notify affected vehicle owners by first class mail within 60 days. Retailers will be advised when the notification is scheduled.

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Subarunet Announcement To: All Subaru Retailers From: Subaru of America, Inc. Date: November 29, 2022 UPDATE Safety Recall: WRJ-22 Forester left front seat belt installed as a replacement part Owner Notification Owners will be notified by first class mail on December 9, 2022. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been installed as a replacement part. Description of the Defect and Safety Risk A left front seat belt assembly, installed in vehicles as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the seat belt assembly may not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the identification number on the seat belt tag and, where necessary, replace it with a new one, at no cost to the customer. Affected Vehicles A total of 16 U.S. Forester vehicles will be included in this recall, as listed below: Model Year Carline Production Date Range 2009-2013 Forester January 10, 2008 – November 14, 2012 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. This information is now available. Retailer Responsibility Any vehicles listed in any recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be: ▪ Immediately identified ▪ Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to repair ▪ Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures, to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer inventory necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle. Service, Parts, and Claim Instructions For detailed service, parts, and claim instructions, please refer to the WRJ-22 Product Campaign Bulletin on STIS.

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-838 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Subaru of America, Inc. Submission Date : NOV 14, 2022 NHTSA Recall No. : 22V-838 Manufacturer Recall No. : WRJ-22 Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Subaru of America, Inc. Address : One Subaru Drive Camden NJ 08103 Company phone : 844-373-6614 Population : Number of potentially involved : 16 Estimated percentage with defect : 6 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2009-2013 Subaru Forester Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : SUV Power Train : GAS Descriptive Information : -Description of the issue: A front seat belt assembly, installed in vehicles as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. In the event of a crash, the force limiter may not function as intended. The basis for how the recall population was determined: Based on specific lot numbers produced during a specific time period, Subaru traced shipments of suspected parts to affected Subaru dealers which were then matched to vehicle repair orders. -How the recalled products differ from products that were not included in the recall: Seat belt assemblies produced outside of the suspected production lots were assembled using a correctly manufactured force limiter torsion bar. The recall population includes 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles. The number of potentially affected Forester vehicles is 16. Production Dates : JAN 10, 2008 – NOV 14, 2012 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-838 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : A front seat belt assembly, installed in vehicles as a replacement part, may have been assembled with a force limiter torsion bar that was not manufactured to specification. FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : In the event of a crash, the occupant restraint may not function as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Description of the Cause : Debris in a forging die resulted in one end of the torsion bar not achieving the proper dimensions during manufacturing. Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : None Involved Components : Component Name 1 : SEAT BELT OUT F LH Component Description : Front Seat Belt Assy LH Component Part Number : 64621SC010AP Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : TOKAI RIKA CO., LTD. Address : 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun Aichi Foreign States 480-0195 Country : Japan Chronology : September 14, 2022 – Subaru received information from the part supplier indicating a potential seat belt defect. September – October, 2022 – Subaru worked with the part supplier to trace the affected parts based on the lot number information. Subaru identified specific shipments of potentially affected parts that had been shipped to the U.S. market. 11 potentially affected parts were identified as having been shipped to Subaru dealers. Subaru further traced these potentially affected parts to 16 possible VINs. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-838 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 November 3, 2022 – Subaru decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. Subaru is not aware of any complaints or injuries resulting from this condition. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Subaru will inspect the vehicles to identify the ID number on the seat belt tag and, where necessary, replace the seat belt assembly with a new one at no cost to the customer. Subaru will provide reimbursement to owners for repairs according to the general plan submitted in May 2022. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : The remedy seat belt assemblies contain a force limiter torsion bar that conforms to the specification. Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : Replacement repair parts only; no mass-produced vehicles. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Dealer notification is expected to occur by November 11, 2022. Owner notification is scheduled to begin on or about December 9, 2022. Planned Dealer Notification Date : NOV 11, 2022 – NOV 11, 2022 Planned Owner Notification Date : DEC 09, 2022 – DEC 09, 2022 * NR – Not Reported

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