Battery Replacement

We have noticed a high warranty replacement rate for 95 LEGACY batteries. Subaru Service has been testing all of the returns for the last two months. To our surprise not one battery failure has been confirmed. All replacements that we inspected fell into three categories:

1) Charged and returned to service
2) Wrong battery was received
3) Frozen battery (discharged batteries will freeze)

Batteries in Dealer inventory vehicles must be maintained by the dealer. We ask at this time that each dealer review their charging and replacement policy. Discharged batteries should be recharged and tested, not replaced. If a vehicle has been in inventory for a long time, do the customer a favor and recharge the battery before delivery. Refer to previous Service Bulletins for procedures.

We will be reviewing service bulletins and past updates to standardize this policy. Any information you may have or want to contribute can be faxed to the SOA Service Department at (609) 488-3136, Attention: Tom Strain.