2016 Subaru Outback

This is to clarify the recent message announcing an increase specific to the labor time and rental amounts for the WTD65 recall. While this increase is retroactive to the beginning of this recall, the low volume of claims that were entered prior to the change in rates will need to be reentered by the retailer as an appended claim to receive the new calculation. Also, we are experiencing a reimbursement issue for the 3.6L vehicles. We are working to correct the system and will advise when the correction is completed.

Through the weekend we have shipped 17,346 steering columns, which represents 67% of the total sold vehicles. In fact, 1,355 steering columns were delivered to retailers this Saturday, another 1,712 will be delivered today, and another 3,000 will be delivered tomorrow. Given projected failure rate of 66%, this means we should now be starting to repair units in retailer inventory. However, we realize that this may not be the case for every retailer. We will continue to ship parts at an average of 1,500 per day this week, and we will utilize VIN counts collected over the weekend to prioritize and allocate parts going forward. It is very important that each retailer continue to follow up with customers that have not arranged for inspection or to have their vehicles towed to the retailer. We need every vehicle inspected or repaired, and we need this done as soon as it is practical. It is also important that claims are entered on a timely basis, every day, so we can keep a good accounting of the completed cars.

A new labor operation has been created specifically for H6 vehicles affected by WTD-65 Steering Column Inspection/Repair. This labor operation has been added to the WTD-65R bulletin located in STIS. (A165-803 - 1.8 for H6 Models) SOA will reprocess all previously submitted claims for WTD-65 H6 vehicles that were shorted 0.2 labor hours. We will make every effort to complete these corrections as quickly as possible. Claims entered effective 5/24/16 will require the new labor operation number for all H6 vehicle claims.