Subaru of America, Inc.: Safety Recalls in 2012

Updated on March 31, 2026.

There were 4 safety recalls made by Subaru of America, Inc. in 2012. See the details of the recalls below.

You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.

Data Source: NHTSA.
See this for other years:
December 26, 2012
(Campaign #: WQE-41)

Accessory Puddle Light may Short-circuit

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).
NHTSA ID: 12V602000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 633,842
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.
Corrective Action:
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.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
June 5, 2012
(Campaign #: WQB-38)

OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM/FMVSS 208

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 BRZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2011, THROUGH MAY 25, 2012. THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS AN INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. OTHER PORTIONS OF THE OWNER’S MANUAL, DESCRIBING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REQUIRE CLARIFICATION. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.”
NHTSA ID: 12V254000
Component: EQUIPMENT
# of Units Affected: 1,886
Consequence Summary:
MISINFORMATION COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Corrective Action:
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL MAIL CORRECTED OWNER’S MANUALS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
March 13, 2012
(Campaign #: WQA-37)

CENTER SEAT AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR/FMVSS 208

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN THE REAR CENTER SEATING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT MEET LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.” SPECIFICALLY, THE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERMIT PROPER INSTALLATION AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
NHTSA ID: 12V099000
Component: SEAT BELTS
# of Units Affected: 326,014
Consequence Summary:
AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.
Corrective Action:
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
February 9, 2012
(Campaign #: WVZ-36)

SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATOR

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
NHTSA ID: 12V047000
Component: AIR BAGS
# of Units Affected: 381
Consequence Summary:
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Corrective Action:
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, FREE OF FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No