WTQ‐76 - Possible Subwoofer Overheating

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V625
Manufacturer Subaru of America, Inc.
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 9,178

Subwoofer Wire may Overheat and Cause Fire

An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier, and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.

Summary

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 WRX and WRX/STI vehicles, equipped with an optional factory-installed subwoofer in the trunk. Items in the trunk may cause the subwoofer wiring to contact the subwoofer metal frame, possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the subwoofer wire, install a wire retainer clip, and, as necessary, replace the subwoofer, free of charge. The recall began October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTQ-76.

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.safercar.gov.

Check if your Subaru has a Recall

Subarunet Announcement

To: All Subaru Retailers
From: Subaru of America, Inc.
Date: October 26, 2017

Subject: Update: WTQ‐76 Possible Subwoofer Overheating Recall – Owner Notification

Owner notification is scheduled to occur on October 31, 2017, by first class mail. Owners with a valid email address on file with MySubaru.com will also be notified by email.

Affected VIN lists have been sent to the Zone Offices.

Important: Retailer affected VIN lists include information for vehicles affected by this safety recall. This information will enable retailers to follow up with owners of potentially affected vehicles. The lists contain owners’ names and phone numbers obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is unlawful. Accordingly, retailers are required to limit the use of these lists for the purpose of completion of this safety recall.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 model year WRX and STI vehicles equipped with a factory‐installed Audio system with Harman Kardon (H/K) Amplifier and Speakers, due to a possible subwoofer overheating condition.

Affected Vehicles

A total of 9,178 U.S. vehicles are affected by this recall. Coverage for all affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry function on subarunet.com, prior to repair.

Model Year	Models	Production Start Date	Production End Date
2015	WRX & STI w/ H/K Amplifier and Speakers	1/17/2014	4/9/2015

Condition

The subject vehicles are equipped with a factory‐installed subwoofer, located inside the trunk. Luggage in the trunk could come in contact with the subwoofer wire and move it out of its fixed position. If the wire touches the metal frame of the subwoofer, an intermittent short may occur causing the integrated circuit (IC) in the subwoofer amplifier to be damaged.

Safety Hazard

If this condition were to occur, the damaged IC may create a continuous electrical current into the subwoofer. As a result, the subwoofer could overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Description of the Remedy

The remedy for this condition will involve the installation of a spacer clip kit onto the subwoofer. Repair and Parts

For detailed information, please refer to the WTQ‐76 Product Campaign Bulletin available on STIS.

Retailer Program Responsibility

Any vehicles listed in a recall/campaign that are in retailer stock must be:

Immediately identified.
Tagged or otherwise marked to prevent their delivery or use prior to inspection and/or repair.
Repaired in accordance with the repair procedures outlined in the Product Campaign Bulletin, which will be available on STIS in the near future.

Retailers are to promptly perform the applicable service procedures to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (used, demo & SSLP). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall is taken into retailer inventory, or in for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V625-4140.pdf