Subaru Issues Latest Recall for Windshield-Related Issue
September 12, 2011

2011 Subaru Outback

Subaru of America Inc. has issued a recall that could affect a total of 195,080 vehicles that could have faulty windshield wiper systems.

According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are components inside these vehicles' windshield wiper motor bottom covers that may overheat and could lead to a fire. The recall includes 2010 and 2011 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured between January 7, 2010, and May 20, 2011.

Company officials say they first received a report of a wiper motor that emitted smoke on the vehicles on January 24 of this year. The company investigated the issue from January to April, and found that the front wiper bottom cover was melting "due to [an] internal short circuit." Between May and July, Subaru discovered from further research that the internal short circuit was caused by "continuous chatter of contact point due to compound factor or improper dimension of internal parts and external force incurred to the front wiper arms."
Subaru planned to begin notifying its dealers last week, according to a September 9 letter to NHTSA, and is preparing "modified parts."

The company's dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge once the recall begins, which is expected to be during the month of November.

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