Recall 13V078 affects 16 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles for an overheating front wiper motor cover. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 16 2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles under recall 13V078 because components inside the wiper motor bottom cover can overheat. If the cover melts, it can catch fire, and the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper motor on the 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback is the electric unit that moves the wiper arms across the glass. It sits under the cowl area and turns electrical power into the back-and-forth motion that clears rain, snow, and road spray from the windshield. The bottom cover helps enclose the motor and the electrical components inside it.
On affected vehicles, Subaru's recall identifies the problem inside that wiper motor bottom cover. Components inside the cover can overheat, which means the issue is not the rubber blade or the visible wiper arm. The failure is inside the motor assembly that drives the wipers.
There is no warning sign before failure. The wipers can work normally until the overheated component fails, so the VIN decides whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Covers both Legacy and Outback models under the same wiper-system component.
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
| Units affected | 16 |
A matching 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front wiper motor overheats, its bottom cover can melt and catch fire. Because fire risk is involved, confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback is included in this recall.
- Check your records for Subaru's owner notice that began February 22, 2013.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free front wiper motor bottom cover assembly replacement that fixes the overheating wiper cover.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V078 when you call.
- Call Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 with questions about the free dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
Subaru has notified affected owners about the wiper motor repair. Once the dealer repair is available, a Subaru technician replaces the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly, the lower cover that houses internal wiper motor components. That repair addresses the overheating issue described for the 2012 Legacy and Outback. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If the wipers are not working correctly before service, tell the service desk so the shop can inspect the assembly before returning the vehicle.
Timeline
| February 22, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V078?
Recall 13V078 covers 16 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles with front wiper motor bottom cover components that can overheat. NHTSA campaign 13V078 says the cover can melt and create a fire risk. Subaru dealers replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V078. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly replacement. Reference recall number 13V078 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Subaru's remedy says dealers replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. Any franchised Subaru dealer can handle the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is overheating inside the front wiper motor bottom cover. NHTSA campaign 13V078 says overheated components can melt the cover and create a fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Subaru dealer repair.
When did Subaru notify owners about recall 13V078?
Subaru notified owners, and the safety recall began on February 22, 2013. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Legacy or Outback is included before calling a Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V078000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V078 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V078000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →