Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Date Published
AUG 30, 2016
NHTSA TSB #
10182601
TSB Document
Summary
This repair procedure was previously published in TSB number 07-89-15R. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is now initiating a service program for certain 2015 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles as described in this service program bulletin. INTRODUCTION: During ocean transportation of the IG, ACC and EGI Main relays, moisture may be absorbed into them from exposure to very high ambient humidity conditions. During normal operation, this moisture is heated by the relay?s electric coils and evaporated while the engine is running however, it may not all be eliminated. If the vehicle is used in extreme cold temperatures (-20C / -4F), ice crystals may form on the relay?s contacts due to rapid heat radiation after the engine is turned off. As a result, these ice crystals can insulate and prevent electricity from flowing and lead to a contact failure. Should this occur, the engine may fail to start immediately. For example: if the engine is started under extreme cold temperatures, shut-off and left to ?soak? for approximately 20 minutes and then restarted, the described relay freezing / no-start condition may occur requiring several attempts to start the engine.