Subaru recall hits nearly 634,000 Legacy, Outback, Tribeca and Forester vehicles

Subaru has issued a recall for 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2006 through 2012 Tribeca crossovers and 2009 through 2012 Foresters. The automaker says that “puddle lights” on those vehicles could, if exposed to an electrolytic fluid like salty water, short circuit and cause a fire.

All in all, 633,842 cars and crossovers are included in the recall. That's a big number, but there's a catch: only 53,999 of those vehicles have the faulty parts. Subaru is expected to notify owners of affected vehicles in February. Dealers will install a modified wiring harness designed to remedy the problem free of charge.

For more information on this recall, contact Subaru at (800) 782-2783 or the NHTSA hotline at (888) 327-4236, or visit www.safercar.gov and search for “Subaru recall campaign WQE-41.”

By Graham Kozak