Manufacturer recall number

Subaru recall WTK-71

Q: Is WTK-71 the same recall as 16V694000?

Yes. WTK-71 is Subaru’s own number for it; 16V694000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Subaru calls it WTK-71. NHTSA filed it as campaign 16V694000 on Sep 27, 2016: visibility on the 2010–2014 Subaru Legacy and 1 other Subaru model, 592,647 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 16V694000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA Subaru’s own VIN lookup →

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
16V694000	2010–2014 Subaru Legacy and 1 other Subaru model	Visibility	Sep 27, 2016	592,647	critical

Problem Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt. Risk If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 16V694000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. WTK-71 is the number Subaru assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 16V694000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →Subaru’s own VIN lookup →

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is WTK-71 the same recall as 16V694000?

Yes. WTK-71 is Subaru’s own number for it; 16V694000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does WTK-71 cover?

2010–2014 Subaru Legacy and 1 other Subaru model, 592,647 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the WTK-71 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.