Air Flow Meter Sensor (WWG-90)

AIR FLOW METER SENSOR

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

INTRODUCTION

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that the affected vehicles listed below may experience an Air Flow Meter Sensor malfunction. This can occur if the sensor element is contaminated by seeping silicon oil contained in the silicon gel sealing material at the sensor base. The malfunction may occur after carbon and dust in the atmosphere combine with the silicon oil and accumulate on the sensor element.

Should the air flow meter sensor malfunction prior to replacement, the CHECK ENGINE warning light / Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate steadily while the engine is running advising the driver of a malfunction and the need to seek repair service.

This service program will involve replacement of the air flow meter sensor on affected vehicles.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

• 1999 MY 2.2L Subaru Legacy (except Outback) - Federal Spec. only
• 1999 MY 2.2L & 2.5L Impreza - Federal & California Spec.
• 1999 MY 2.5L Forester - Federal & California Spec.

Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart below. NOTE: Prior to performing repairs, confirm coverage for potentially affected vehicles by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).

MODEL			FROM	TO
Legacy	1999MY	Sedan	X(1)250003	X(1)264331
		Wagon	X(1)300006	X(1)317135
Impreza	1999MY	Coupe	X(1)400004	X(1)403359
		Sedan	X(1)500005	X(1)503645
		Wagon	X(1)800012	X(1)815371
Forester	1999MY		X(1)700001	X(1)750961
(1) Various characters may occupy this position of the VIN.

Vehicles identified in the preceding chart may include VIN's that were not distributed in the U.S. market. 

OWNER INFORMATION

SOA will provide dealers with a list of affected VIN's that includes owner name and address information obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. This information is considered confidential and may only lawfully be used to follow-up with owners of affected vehicles in order to complete this service program.  It is unlawful to use this information for any other purpose such as advertising or marketing. Dealers may not use this information to update their owner database.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of affected vehicles in early June, 2002.

A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included at the end of this bulletin.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY

Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this service program at no charge to the vehicle owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.

For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer's computer list, dealers are to contact those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin.

Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this service program is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the service program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

If the service program correction is performed when the vehicle is in for other service, the vehicle owner should be made aware that the campaign has been completed. For vehicles serviced in the states of California and Massachusetts, a "VEHICLE EMISSION RECALL - PROOF OF CORRECTION" Certificate should be provided to the vehicle owner along with an explanation of the purpose of that form.

PARTS INFORMATION

Prior to the release of this program, affected dealers will automatically be shipped a quantity of replacement parts equivalent to about 50% of their affected vehicle list. Additional quantities of the replacement part will be available through normal parts supply. In order to maintain an adequate part supply, SOA requests that Dealers only order parts necessary to meet anticipated demand.

MODEL	DESCRIPTION	PART NUMBER
Legacy Impreza Forester	Air Flow Meter Sensing Unit	22794AA000

SERVICE PROCEDURE

SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Type or print the necessary information on a Service Program identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.

A quantity of labels is provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional labels are available through your Area / Distributor Service Office.

CALIFORNIA / MASSACHUSETTS "VEHICLE EMISSION RECALL - PROOF OF CORRECTION" CERTIFICATE

The California Air Resources Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles Registration/Recall Program requires that all emission related Recall/Campaign or Service Program repairs be completed before a vehicle registration is renewed. Please provide owners of vehicles registered in the states of California and Massachusetts a completed "Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction" certificate. Vehicle owners should be advised to retain this certificate because the California / Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles may require they provide proof this service program repair has been completed.

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES

Credit to perform this Service Program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System.

Replacement of the Air Flow Meter Sensor - Use the following claim submission information for replacement of the Air Flow Meter Sensor.

For Air Flow Meter Sensor replacement enter labor operation 145-501 for 0.3 labor hours.

Enter part number 22794AA000. The part will be reimbursed at dealer cost plus applicable handling allowance.

CLAIM TYPE	CAMPAIGN CODE	LABOR	LABOR DESCRIPTION	PART NUMBER
RC	WWG-90	145-501 - 0.3	Replace Air Flow Meter Sensor	22794AA000

REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS

Owners are being advised in the owner notification letter (copy attached) that if they have previously paid an authorized Subaru dealer for replacement of the air fuel meter sensor, they may be entitled to reimbursement. The owners are further advised that to qualify for any reimbursement they must submit the original or original carbon copy of the repair invoice to Subaru of America, Inc. Please review the owner notification letter, which explains this procedure so that you are familiar with it, and can assist owners with any questions.

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER

Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru Plaza

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

www.subaru.com

Service Program WWG-90 

June 2002 

Dear Subaru Owner:

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that the air flow meter sensor on your Subaru vehicle will require replacement.

Vehicles covered by this service program include certain:

• 1999 MY 2.2L Subaru Legacys
• 1999 MY 2.2L & 2.5L Imprezas
• 1999 MY 2.5L Foresters

THE REASON FOR THIS NOTICE 

The air flow meter sensor is part of your vehicle's engine/emission control system and is monitored by the On-Board Diagnostic system. Should this component operate improperly, the engine idle may become unstable and the "CHECK ENGINE" warning light / Malfunction Indicator Lamp will illuminate steadily while the engine is running, advising the driver of a malfunction and the need to seek repair service.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO 

You should immediately contact your Subaru Dealer for an appointment to replace the air flow meter sensor with replacement parts at no cost to you. The approximate time to perform this repair is 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer flexibility in scheduling. Please present this letter to your Subaru Dealer at the time this repair procedure is performed.

RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA / MASSACHUSETTS 

The Departments of Motor Vehicles in the states of California and Massachusetts require that all emission related service program repairs be completed before a vehicle registration is renewed. They also require Subaru of America, Inc. to periodically provide a list of vehicles that have not had the service program repairs performed. The state will know that this service program may not have been completed if your vehicle is on that list.

Your dealer will provide you with a "Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction" certificate after the service program repair has been completed. You should retain this certificate because the California / Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles may require you to provide proof the service program repair has been completed.

These states also require that every vehicle pass an emission test (Smog Check) every two years and before it is sold. Failure to have this no-cost repair service performed may result in the vehicle failing an emission test and the vehicle may require future costly repairs.

CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU? 

If you have changed your address, or if you have sold your Subaru vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us.

IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR 

In the event that you have already paid an authorized Subaru Dealer for replacement of the air flow meter sensor, you may be entitled to reimbursement for the replacement cost. Reimbursement by Subaru will be based on our suggested retail parts pricing and suggested labor time multiplied by the dealer's hourly labor rate at the time of repair. Because Subaru Dealers are independently owned and operated, Subaru of America has no control over the actual charges. The actual repair cost may be higher or lower than the rate used by Subaru of America to calculate reimbursement.

Please send the original service repair order, which has complete information including the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at the time of repair, complete vehicle identification number (17 digits), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below.

Subaru of America, Inc.

Customer Dealer Service Department

Attention: Service Program WXX-81

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but may take up to 90 days for this process to be completed.

IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE 

To locate the nearest Subaru Dealer you can access our website at www.Subaru.com and go to the dealer locator function. Or, you may call us at 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) during normal business hours for assistance. Please call us immediately if the dealer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge or write to us at the address listed at the beginning of this letter.

Your continued satisfaction with Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action to assure your vehicle's proper performance. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause and urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have this repair performed.

Sincerely,

Subaru of America, Inc.

Notice to Lessors 

The lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter should provide a copy f it to the vehicle lessee(s). The lessor should also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For these purposes, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle's title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.)