Recall 12V602 covers 633,842 2006-2012 Subaru Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, and B9 Tribeca vehicles for puddle-light short circuits. Free repair at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 633,842 2006-2012 Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, and B9 Tribeca vehicles equipped with accessory puddle lights because road-salt moisture can short the light or connector. A short circuit can generate heat, melt plastic, and lead to smoke or fire; the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The accessory puddle lights on these 2006-2012 Subaru Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, and B9 Tribeca vehicles are small exterior lamps near the doors. They turn on to brighten the ground under the doors, so you can see the step-in area before getting in or out.
The problem starts when salty road spray reaches the puddle light or its connector. That moisture carries electricity, and it can get into the light's circuit board or the connector pins. Once that happens, the electrical path inside the lamp is no longer controlled as designed, and a short circuit can develop.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner can see the puddle light stop working, flicker, or behave oddly, but the recall information does not list a reliable early symptom before the short circuit develops.
Who's affected?
Covers Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, and B9 Tribeca vehicles across 2006-2012, all with exterior lighting listed as the recalled component.
| 2009 Subaru Forester | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2009 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Subaru Outback | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2006 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 Subaru Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 633,842 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In recall 12V602, a short circuit in the puddle light system can create heat, melt plastic, and lead to smoke or fire. If you notice smoke or melted plastic near the light area, park the vehicle safely and contact a Subaru dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2012 Subaru Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, or B9 Tribeca is included in this recall.
- Use Subaru's owner notice if you have it, or ask a franchised Subaru dealer whether the free repair is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the additional fused-harness installation that protects the accessory puddle-light circuit from moisture-related shorts.
- Reference recall number 12V602 when you call the dealer.
- Avoid using the accessory puddle lights until the repair is complete if you see smoke, smell burning plastic, or notice heat near the door lighting area.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician installs an additional fused harness for the accessory puddle light circuit. That added fused harness protects the circuit if moisture reaches the puddle light or connector. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. For the service visit, ask the dealer to confirm that the campaign work applies to your VIN before the vehicle is written up.
Timeline
| December 26, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 19, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V602?
Recall 12V602 covers 633,842 2006-2012 Subaru vehicles with accessory puddle lights that can short when moisture reaches the light circuit board or connector. The short circuit can create heat, melt plastic, and lead to smoke or fire. Subaru dealers install an additional fused harness for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2012 Subaru Forester, Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, or B9 Tribeca is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V602. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the puddle-light fused-harness recall repair. Reference recall number 12V602 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the Subaru puddle-light recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru's remedy says dealers will install the additional fused harness free of charge at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk from recall 12V602?
The safety risk is smoke or fire from a short circuit in the accessory puddle-light system. Moisture, including road spray with road salt, can reach the circuit board or connector and create heat over time. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
When did the recall repair start?
Subaru began the recall repair on February 19, 2013. For an included vehicle that still has an open recall, a franchised Subaru dealer installs the added fused harness for free. Subaru owners can also call 1-800-782-2783 with questions about the campaign.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V602000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V602 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V602000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →