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Subaru Outback Recall 16V694: Wiper Motor May Overheat and Melt, Risking Fire

NHTSA campaign 16V694, reported September 27, 2016, 592,647 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Contamination inside the windshield wiper motor's bottom cover can cause its internal parts to interfere with each other. If an obstruction such as snow or ice keeps the wiper arms from stopping in the parked position, the motor can overheat and the cover can melt.

If the wiper motor overheats, the wipers may stop working, reducing your view through the windshield and raising the risk of a crash. The melting cover also creates a risk of fire.

Subaru will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. This recall supersedes an earlier one, so vehicles previously repaired under that campaign also need the cover replaced again. Contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 (recall WTK-71) and check your VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 16V694Subaru of America, Inc.
Component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Risk
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Subaru Legacy20102011201220132014
Subaru Outback20102011201220132014