Recall 12V602000
NHTSA safety recall campaign 12V602000. Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 633,842 units potentially affected.
Risk Summary (Consequence)
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.
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).
Remedy
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.
Key Dates
Affected Vehicles
Other SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
Recent campaigns from the same manufacturer (last 3 years)
Recent SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
| Campaign | Report Date | Component | Makes | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V106000 | Feb 23, 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | SUBARU | 69,153 |
| 25V889000 | Dec 18, 2025 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | SUBARU | 5,603 |
| 25V419000 | Jun 19, 2025 | CHILD SEAT | SUBARU | 2,938 |
| 25V033000 | Jan 23, 2025 | WHEELS | SUBARU | 20,366 |
| 24V227000 | Mar 22, 2024 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | SUBARU | 118,723 |
| 23V754000 | Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | SUBARU | 4,701 |
| 23V755000 | Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | SUBARU | 95,830 |
| 23V723000 | Oct 26, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | SUBARU | 49 |
| 23V647000 | Sep 21, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | SUBARU | 4,311 |
| 23V609000 | Aug 31, 2023 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | SUBARU, TOYOTA | 8,915 |
Recalls Affecting the Same Makes
Campaigns touching SUBARU from other manufacturers (last 3 years)
Same-Make Recall Activity
| Campaign | Report Date | Manufacturer | Component | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V744000 | Oct 30, 2025 | TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | 1,024,407 |
| 25V577000 | Sep 4, 2025 | TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING | VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 94,320 |
Consumer Complaints Referencing This Campaign
NHTSA complaints whose narratives mention 12V602000
Referencing Complaints
| Complaint ID | Incident Date | Vehicle | Component | Narrative Snippet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1474939 | Jun 9, 2018 | 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRO… |
| 1070117 | May 1, 2013 | 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE TAILLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTEN… |
| 973871 | Feb 19, 2013 | 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V602000 (EXTER… |
| 985085 | Feb 1, 2013 | 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU B9 TRIBECA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V602000 (EXTERIOR … |
| 1369814 | Jan 30, 2013 | 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER WQE41; NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 12V602000.PUDDLE LIGHTS FOR 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. IN JANUARY 201… |
| 1369815 | Jan 30, 2013 | 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER WQE41; NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 12V602000.PUDDLE LIGHTS FOR 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. IN JANUARY 201… |
| 957855 | Jan 1, 2013 | SUBARU SUBARU | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | SUBARU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LIGHT RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROCKER PANELS WERE APART OF … |
How to Act on This Recall
- Owners: Contact your authorized dealer to schedule the remedy at no cost. Remedy is covered under 49 U.S.C. 30120.
- Fleets: Use the Fleet Recall Checker to scan your VIN list against this and other open campaigns.
- Looking up a specific VIN? Check VIN against NHTSA for open recalls on that vehicle.
- NHTSA contact: Vehicle Safety Hotline 1-888-327-4236.