Accessory puddle light may short-circuit
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).
Safety 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.
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Subaru Of America, Inc. or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 12V602000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 12V602000?
NHTSA recall 12V602000 was issued by Subaru Of America, Inc. on December 26, 2012. It addresses: Accessory puddle light may short-circuit. The recall affects approximately 633,842 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Subaru Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V602000 or the manufacturer campaign number WQE-41. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.