Subaru Forester, Tribeca +3 more: Exterior lighting

Affects Subaru Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, B9 Tribeca · 2006–2012 — about 634K vehicles.

The hazard

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.

What to do

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.

Critical — crash/injury risk now High — injury risk; see remedy Moderate — fix at next service Low — minor / informational