Subaru Recalls 633,842 Vehicles, Including 2009-'12 Subaru Forester

Edmunds.com

Subaru Recalls 633,842 Vehicles, Including 2009-'12 Subaru Forester

Subaru is recalling 633,842 vehicles, including the 2009-'12 Subaru Forester, because a short circuit of the puddle light system may result in smoke or fire.

Read the full story here

dt63944

I have been after Subaru for this issue ever since I purchased the puddle light option on my 2010 Forester XT purchased in 12/2009. I think I've gone through 2 sets of failed lights on both sides. I live in the snow belt of Buffalo, NY. These lights are soaked in salt spray during the winter. These lights fail because of a lousy design that lets salt get in and corrode the light assemblies. The last replacement I had to pay for up-front and then Subaru did a "one time courtesy" refund. I have told them from day one that if they gave me a set of puddle lights, I could fix the problem with the appropriate epoxy and marine-grade heat shrink tubing. This isn't rocket science and it's not up to Subaru standards. That this lousy design has continued is unacceptable, along with Subaru's fix. The lights will still fail, even with their new harness, if their light assembly design hasn't changed. Something like this causes me to look at different manufacturers when I wouldn't otherwise. Shame on Subaru for letting this continue since 2007 and only now admitting to it. Even my dealer told me they've never seen it, which is a lie.

dt63944

I have been after Subaru for this issue ever since I purchased the puddle light option on my 2010 Forester XT purchased in 12/2009. I think I've gone through 2 sets of failed lights on both sides. I live in the snow belt of Buffalo, NY. These lights are soaked in salt spray during the winter. These lights fail because of a lousy design that lets salt get in and corrode the light assemblies. The last replacement I had to pay for up-front and then Subaru did a "one time courtesy" refund. I have told them from day one that if they gave me a set of puddle lights, I could fix the problem with the appropriate epoxy and marine-grade heat shrink tubing. This isn't rocket science and it's not up to Subaru standards. That this lousy design has continued is unacceptable, along with Subaru's fix. The lights will still fail, even with their new harness, if their light assembly design hasn't changed. Something like this causes me to look at different manufacturers when I wouldn't otherwise. Shame on Subaru for letting this continue since 2007 and only now admitting to it. Even my dealer told me they've never seen it, which is a lie.

jpnpower

Goes to show, more gadgets= more bugs.

Recall away!