NHTSA ID Number: 10222378
Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ
Summary
Battery Class Action Settlement Updates.
| To: | All Subaru Retailers |
| From: | Subaru of America, Inc. – Service Operations |
| Date: | September 30, 2022 |
| Re: | Battery Class Action Settlement Updates |
With customers receiving Battery Class Action Settlement postcards, retailers are starting to encounter customers that are scheduling or visiting retailers for related appointments. We want to communicate some updates and additional information specifically relating to the Battery Drain Warranty Extension.
TSB updates
We are in the process of updating the Battery Drain Settlement Service Bulletin (07-207-22R) to provide some clarity on the current battery testing procedure. While there will be an update to the Midtronics logic, the release date for this software update is still pending. We will communicate additional information regarding when the software update will be released. In the meantime, retailers should test a battery in a vehicle with the Battery Drain Warranty Extension, the same way any other battery is tested, using the In Vehicle Test application on the Midtronics DSS-5000 and the In Vehicle Test & Charge application on the Midtronics DCA-8000. When a battery test returns a replace decision, it will generate a 14-digit battery test code, which will be required when submitting a warranty extension claim. Please see the chart below for additional clarification. DSS-5000
| Test Result | Test Code | Test Procedure |
| Good battery | No code presented | No further testing required |
| Good recharge use DCA | No code presented | Test using DCA |
| Charge and retest use DCA | No code presented | Test using DCA |
| Replace battery | 14-digit test code | No further testing required |
DCA-8000
| Test Result | Test Code | Test Procedure |
| Good battery | No code presented | No further testing required |
| Good recharge | No code presented | Allow DCA to continue through the charge procedure |
| Bad Cell – Replace | 14-digit test code | No further testing required |
| Replace battery | 14-digit test code | No further testing required |
Battery Drain Reflash (BDR) Extension
The Battery Drain Settlement includes a Warranty extension for qualifying battery concerns, but there is also a battery logic reflash component that could apply to certain vehicles. The vehicles eligible for the battery logic reflash are outlined in two Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs 11-174-17R & 11-176-17) and include:
2015-2017 MY Legacy/Outback
2015-2017 WRX
2017-2018MY Forester
In addition to the BDW Standard & Enhanced Battery Drain Warranty Extension, the vehicles above will also have a BDR Battery Drain Reflash Warranty Extension applied. If a vehicle comes into a retailer with a pre-authorization for a battery concern, and the vehicle also has the BDR extension, the retailer should verify whether the reflash has been performed already. If it has not, the retailer can perform the update. Additional details regarding this process can be found in the TSB and also in the Retailer FAQs document. The intension here is to make you aware of this BDR Battery Drain Reflash Extension and what it means. We are in the process of adding this extension coverage to the class vehicles outlined above, and in the coming days you will begin to see this extension coverage when you run a VIN Inquiry.
Resources
In addition to the Battery Settlement TSB, there are several resources available to you surrounding the warranty extension. These resources can be found on Subarunet, in the Battery Class Action Settlement area in Claims à Claims & Administration à Warranty Extensions.
Customer questions or concerns regarding the settlement should be directed to the settlement administrator. Customers can visit the battery settlement website cms.www.subarubatterysettlement.com. They can also contact the settlement administrator Monday – Friday 7am-8pm (EST)/ 4am-5pm (PT) at 855-606-2625.
11 Affected Products
Vehicles
1 Associated Document
Manufacturer Communications
Date: September 30, 2022
Re: Battery Class Action Settlement Updates
MC-10222378-0001.pdf 1362.36KB
NHTSA ID Number: 10222364
Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ
Summary
Battery Class Action Settlement Resources. (2)
| To: | All Subaru Retailers |
| From: | Subaru of America, Inc. – Service Operations |
| Date: | September 26, 2022 |
| Re: | Battery Class Action Settlement Resources |
Now that postcards notifying prior and current owners of vehicles included in the class have been sent, we want to provide a reminder of the resources we have available relating to the Battery Class Action Settlement.
Over the past two weeks, we conducted several rounds of retailer training to review the details of the settlement. Everything reviewed in the training regarding the Warranty Extension and claims system is currently in place.
In addition, we have several resources available on Subarunet, in the Battery Class Action Settlement area of Claims & Warranty Administration→ Warranty Extensions. These resources include:
- Battery Extension Calculator
- Battery extension – Frequently Asked Questions
- A link to the battery settlement website
- Recorded version of retailer training
- Service Advisor flow chart
If you have any questions, please reach out to your DPSM, DSQM, or the Claims Team (866-7822782).
1 Associated Document
Manufacturer Communications
Date: September 26, 2022
Re: Battery Class Action Settlement Resources
MC-10222364-0001.pdf 1201.35KB
NHTSA ID Number: 10219500
Manufacturer Communication Number: SubaruNet Announ
Summary
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
| To: | All Subaru Retailers |
| From: | Subaru of America, Inc. – Service Operations |
| Date: | August 30, 2022 |
| Re: | Battery Class Action Settlement |
Subaru of America, Inc. has reached a preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles. As part of this settlement, owners of included vehicles will receive a warranty extension for both original equipment and genuine Subaru replacement batteries. The following information is being provided to assist you in responding to customer inquiries.
Affected customers will be notified of the pending settlement in late September. Please ensure that your service managers and advisors are familiar with this information and that found in Service Bulletin 07-207-22. Additional information and frequently asked questions will be available in late September on the settlement website, at cms.www.subarubatterysettlement.com. At that time, customers will also be able to call SOA at 855-606-2625 with any extension questions.
Q: What vehicles are affected by this proposed class action settlement? There are an estimated 2.8 million vehicles included, specifically:
| MY | 2015-2020 | Outback |
| MY | 2015-2020 | Forester |
| MY | 2015-2020 | Legacy |
| MY | 2015-2020 | WRX |
| MY | 2019-2020 | Ascent |
Q: What are the terms of the settlement?
Subaru will extend the New Car Basic Warranty to the class vehicles as follows:
- First Battery Replacements (replacement of the original equipment battery), Subaru will cover:
- 100% of the battery replacement cost up to 5 years of 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the vehicle in-service date of the Settlement Class Vehicle; or
- 50% of the battery replacement cost that have exceeded 5 years or 60,000 on the class notice date, for a duration of 3 months from the notice date regardless of mileage or vehicle in-service date.
- Subsequent Battery Replacements (replacement of a genuine Subaru replacement battery), Subaru will cover
- 100% of the battery replacement costs up to five (5) years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the vehicle in-service date of the Settlement Class Vehicle, regardless of the number of battery replacements the Settlement Class Vehicle has already received.
- 80% of the Battery Replacement Costs up to seven (7) years or 84,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the vehicle in-service date of the Settlement Class Vehicle; or
- 60% of the Battery Replacement Costs up to eight (8) years or one hundred thousand (100,000) miles, whichever comes first, from the vehicle in-service date of the Settlement Class Vehicle.
The extended warranty battery recharge or replacement coverage will be based on the results of the retailer’s administration of the Midtronics Protocol as outlined in TSB 07-207-22.
In addition, any class member presenting a class vehicle to a SOA retailer in satisfaction of the qualification for the Settlement Extended Warranty Repair who has not previously received a battery logic related reflash (Refer to Service Bulletins: 11-174-17R and 11-176-17R), is entitled to receive the reflash during the retailer visit, at no cost.
Note that SOA will not repair vehicles that have a salvaged or total loss title, certain aftermarket parts, a non-Subaru battery in their vehicle, or have owner caused failures are ineligible for this coverage. Please refer to the FAQs on cms.www.subarubatterysettlement.com for additional details.
Please refer to Technical Service Bulletin 07-207-22 for complete technical details regarding warranty coverage and repair procedures. Although the settlement is not finalized, you should proceed with repairs for any qualifying vehicles in accordance with the bulletin. SOA is in the process of adding the extension to affected vehicles. Please contact us with any questions regarding coverage.
Q: For customers who paid for prior repairs, will there be reimbursement?
Customers who paid for prior repairs—and customers who sold a vehicle with a qualifying failure prior to repair—may, under certain circumstances, submit claims for a cash reimbursement. Additional information, along with detailed instructions regarding completion of a claim form and required documentation will be available in late September at cms.www.subarubatterysettlement.com.
Q: If customers have questions regarding the proposed settlement, what should I tell them?
Customers will receive notification letter of the proposed settlement in late September. Customers can refer to the settlement website, at cms.www.subarubatterysettlement.com, or call SOA at 855-606-2625.
Q: What retailer resources are available for this proposed settlement?
TSB 07-207-22 provides specific information regarding the repair process and procedures. In addition to the TSB, Subaru is currently preparing training for retailers regarding this battery extension. This training will review the parameters of the extension, customer and retailer process, coverage review tools, and claim requirements. We will be holding retailer training specific to this extension the week of September 12. Keep an eye on Subarunet for an announcement with the details.
1 Associated Document
Manufacturer Communications
Date: August 30, 2022
Re: Battery Class Action Settlement
MC-10219500-0001.pdf 1225.297KB
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