A Message to Our Valued Owners

We would like to thank you for choosing a 2009-2012 model year Subaru Forester.  At Subaru we take pride in our products and your continued satisfaction is important to us.  It is with your continued satisfaction and safety in mind that we are announcing the following recall.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause.
 
If you have received notification from Subaru concerning this recall, it has been determined that your vehicle has been manufactured with a rear seat center seatbelt that does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirement for securing a child restraint system (CRS) also known as a “child safety seat”. 
 
The rear center seatbelt may not adequately secure certain CRSs that require a short belt routing configuration for attachment. This seatbelt contains an Automatic Locking Retractor that may not lock as intended when such a configuration is used, preventing a tight and secure installation of the CRS.  If the CRS is not properly secured, the CRS may not provide the protection it was designed to provide, and the child occupying the CRS may be at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
 
Additional Information
The condition described only poses a safety risk when a CRS is installed in the rear seat center position.  Otherwise, this seatbelt will operate normally and provide the intended occupant protection. Other seatbelts in the vehicle are not affected by this condition.
 
WQA-37 Safety Recall FAQs

Q: Is it important that I have this recall performed immediately?

A: A second notification letter will be sent to you when repair parts become available.  At that time, you should schedule an appointment with your servicing Subaru dealership to have the recall repair performed.

Q: What precautionary measures should I take until the recall has been performed?

A: A child restraint system should not be used in the rear center position until the seat belt assembly has been repaired.    As recommended in your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual, the left or right rear seating positions should be used for installation of a CRS. Please refer to your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for proper seatbelt usage instructions.
 
Q: What if my needs are such that I must install a child restraint system in the rear seat center position?

A: Please contact Subaru immediately so that we can arrange for the repair of your vehicle.
 
Q: How did Subaru determine there was a defect in the rear seat center seatbelt with regard to installation of a CRS?

A:  The defect was determined during routine compliance testing.

Q:  Has Subaru received any reports of injuries associated with this recall?

A:  No. As of the time this recall was announced, Subaru had not received any reports of injuries associated with the condition remedied by this recall.

Q: What should I do?

A: Please schedule an appointment with your servicing Subaru dealership after you receive your second recall notification letter.

Q: Do I need to make an appointment?

A: Yes.  Please contact your authorized Subaru dealership to set up an appointment to ensure that the dealer is able to allocate a time slot to best accommodate you.

Q: Do I have to return to the dealership where I purchased the car?

A: No.  Any authorized Subaru dealership will be able to perform the recall.

Q: What will be done to the vehicle?

A: Subaru will  repair the rear seat center seatbelt with replacement parts that   ensure your seatbelt is in compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirement for securing a child restraint system.
 
Q: How much time should I allow to have the recall completed?

A: The repair will take approximately 30 minutes.

Q: How much will the recall cost?

A: This recall will be performed free of charge at any authorized Subaru dealership.

Q: Can I have this recall performed at an independent facility?

A: Only an authorized Subaru dealership can perform this repair free of charge.  Subaru will not issue a reimbursement if the recall is completed at an independent repair facility.

Q: What Subaru models are involved?

A:  2009-2012 Subaru Forester models are affected by this recall.

Q: When can I have this recall completed?

A: This recall can be completed once the repair parts are available.  Subaru will send you a second notification letter when repair parts become available.

Q: If I live in Canada do I have to return to the United States to have the recall performed?

A: No.  Any authorized Subaru dealership in Canada is capable of performing this recall.  Please call your nearest dealership to schedule an appointment and bring your recall notice.

Q: If I no longer own the vehicle what should I do?

A: If you no longer own the vehicle, please complete the prepaid postcard enclosed with your notification letter and mail it to us.