Subaru is recalling as many as 633,842 cars to fix accessory lights that can short circuit, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Puddle lamps on the 2009-2012 Forester, 2006-2012 Tribeca and 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy models may short circuit when exposed to water and road salt. The lamps, located under the side-view mirrors and on the running boards, illuminate the ground when the vehicle is unlocked.

Subaru said that 53,999 puddle lamps have been sold in North America. However, since the lamps are installed by dealers, Subaru said it did not know how many cars were actually affected and was "notifying that many so we can get to the 54,000 that do have the light."

Subaru said that it had received at least three owner complaints of smoke pouring out of the lamps since 2007, and had attempted four separate fixes on the production line, including adding a small fuse directly into the lamp harnesses. None had solved the problem. In the worst case, plastic parts of the running board and mirror housings can melt.

Subaru dealers -- which are responsible for installing the lamps, not the factory -- will install another fuse on both sides of the vehicles starting in February. Owners can contact the automaker at 1-800-782-2783.

In March 2012, Subaru recalled 275,000 Foresters for faulty middle rear seat belts that may not lock properly. In February 2012, Subaru recalled a few hundred 2012 Legacy and Outback models for potentially faulty side airbags.

[Source: NHTSA]

Clarification: Due to unclear information provided by NHTSA at press time, this story has been updated to reflect the number of puddle lamp accessories sold by Subaru and that the recall affects as many, but not exactly, 633,842 cars.