Update: Subaru Recall WVF-16 Turbo Charger Oil Supply Pipe
SAFETY DEFECT STOP SALE NOTICE
September 22, 2008
As described in a Subarunet notice posted on September18th, Subaru of America, Inc. has initiated a
voluntary Safety Recall to inspect, modify and possibly replace the turbo charger oil supply pipe on
approximately 16,715 2007 & 2008 Legacy 2.5GT / Outback 2.5XT, 2008 Impreza WRX (except STI) and a
very small number of early production 2009 Forester 2.5XT models. Campaign code WVF-16 has been
assigned to this Safety Recall. A countermeasure was made in production on vehicles produced beyond the
affected range.
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,
beginning immediately, any vehicles within the affected range that are currently in your new
or used car inventory are placed on STOP SALE until the campaign is performed.
Notify all Sales and Service personnel that any vehicles within the affected range are not to
be sold until the defect has been resolved.
The Defect
Affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a turbo charger oil supply pipe that was deformed due
to misalignment during the assembly process. If the pipe is deformed, vibration experienced during normal
driving could result in a crack developing over time, causing an engine oil leak. There is a safety risk
associated with this condition. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine
compartment fire could result.
The affected vehicle range is:
Model From To
2007MY Legacy Sedan 2.5GT 7*200020 7*215147
2007MY Legacy Wagon 2.5GT /
Outback Wagon 2.5XT
7*300013 7*346075
2008MY Legacy Sedan 2.5GT 8*200004 8*222000
2008MY Outback Wagon 2.5GT 8*300006 8*351020
2008MY Impreza WRX 4 Door 8*500002 8*522433
2008MY Impreza WRX 5 Door 8*800005 8*823185
2009MY Forester 2.5XT 9*700001 9*700139
* Various Characters may occupy this position
Dealers will be sent an individual list of affected inventoried vehicles by their Distributor / Regional Sales
Distribution office.
How to resolve the safety defect
This recall will involve inspection of the turbo charger oil supply pipe for proper alignment. If the pipe is found
to be properly aligned, it will be necessary to install a support bracket as a precautionary measure to
increase rigidity of the pipe. If the pipe is found to be deformed, a new replacement pipe and support bracket
must be installed. A Recall Campaign bulletin will be released during the week of October 6, 2008. The
bulletin will provide additional information concerning inspection and repair procedures.
We are currently sourcing the brackets needed for the inspection/ installation and expect inventory during the
week of October 15, 2008. All repair information will be posted on Subarunet as soon as it becomes
available.
Current inventory of the actual oil supply pipe is of the countermeasure type. If you have a sale pending, the
campaign can be completed by replacing the oil supply pipe using part number 15192AA512.
While this is not the actual campaign procedure, it will allow you to sell a vehicle until the campaign parts are
available.
When the actual campaign parts are available, the procedure will be to perform an inspection, using the
campaign support bracket as a template to determine if it is necessary to replace the pipe or just install the
bracket.
Additional information will be provided as soon as it is available.