Affected Component: LIGHTING (PWS)

Date Published
JAN 15, 2013
NHTSA TSB #
10080094
TSB Document
Summary
SUBARU HAS DETERMINED THAT AFFECTED VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL GENUINE SUBARU PUDDLE LIGHTS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE THE RELATED COMPONENTS TO OVERHEAT AND POTENTIALLY MELT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN DEVELOP WHEN EITHER THE PUDDLE LIGHTS OR THEIR CONNECTORS ARE EXPOSED TO AN ELECTROLYTIC MOISTURE SOURCE (I.E. SALT WATER) AND IT PENETRATES THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE PUDDLE LIGHT OR THE PINS OF THE PUDDLE LIGHT CONNECTOR(S). IF THE PUDDLE LIGHTS OR CONNECTORS WERE TO OVERHEAT, THEY COULD MELT AND POSE A RISK OF A FIRE. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE PUDDLE LIGHTS. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ADD IN-LINE FUSES FOR BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE PUDDLE LIGHTS TO THOSE VEHICLES THAT DO NOT ALREADY HAVE FUSES CONTAINED IN THE WIRE HARNESSES.