OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN FILE
NHTSA campaign 12V602000
NHTSA campaign 12V602000 covers 15 published year-and-model reports from 1 makes in this index and lists 633,842 potentially affected units campaign-wide. VIN eligibility must be checked separately.
Report received December 26, 2012 · Snapshot September 21, 2026
01 / DEFECT RECORD
What NHTSA campaign 12V602000 says
Defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Consequence summary
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
02 / CORRECTIVE ACTION
Remedy for NHTSA campaign 12V602000
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
- Owner notification
- February 19, 2013
- Filing manufacturer
- SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Component groups
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
03 / PUBLISHED VEHICLES