NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
22 reportsClear category filter41,312 miles · Nov 23, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A SUBARU 2009 THAT I BOUGHT LAST YEAY WITH AROUND 25000 MILES UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY . VIN [XXX] . AND THIS AS HAPPENED TE TIMES SO FAR . WHILE DRIVING OR JUST STARTING OF THE CAR SHAKES VERY HARD , AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THE CHECK ENGINE AD CRUISE CONTROL AND AS THE CAR TRIES TO SHIFT THE WHOLE CAR …
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I HAVE A SUBARU 2009 THAT I BOUGHT LAST YEAY WITH AROUND 25000 MILES UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY . VIN [XXX] . AND THIS AS HAPPENED TE TIMES SO FAR . WHILE DRIVING OR JUST STARTING OF THE CAR SHAKES VERY HARD , AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THE CHECK ENGINE AD CRUISE CONTROL AND AS THE CAR TRIES TO SHIFT THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES . THEN AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT LOSES POWER ALMOST AS IF IT IS STALLING OUT . IT DID THIS TO ME ON INTERSTATE 85 AT 65 MPH AND I BARELY MISSED A TRUCK. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER SHIP TWICE AND TAKEN IT IN ONCE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG ? NOW THAT I ALMOST WRECKED LAST NIGHT I AM CONTACTING YOU . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660313
45,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash
I WAS GOING AROUND A CUP-DE-SAC TO STOP TO A HAVE MY PASSENGER EXIT THE CAR TO HER HOUSE, I HEARD ENGINE REV AND PUSH FORWARD INTO HER HOLLOW TILE WALL, GARDEN AND DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF HER PROPERTY AND STOP ON THE WALL BEFORE I THOUGHT OF TURNING THE ENGINE OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10658934
92,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND LOST POWER, FORCING DRIVER INTO AN UNSAFE SITUATION OF COAXING CAR TO SHOULDER. CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, AND CRUISE LIGHT FLASHED. AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING, SAME LIGHTS REMAINED ON BUT ENGINE RAN NORMALLY. W…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND LOST POWER, FORCING DRIVER INTO AN UNSAFE SITUATION OF COAXING CAR TO SHOULDER. CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, AND CRUISE LIGHT FLASHED. AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING, SAME LIGHTS REMAINED ON BUT ENGINE RAN NORMALLY. WE HAVE ALSO ANOTHER 2009 FORESTER WHICH EXPERIENCES MISFIRES, SAME LIGHTS, AFTER STARTING COLD ON A RAINY DAY. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FROM SUBARU ON OTHER LESS CRITICAL TOPICS, THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN INCLINATION ON THEIR PART TO ADDRESS THIS ENGINE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DISASTER. OUR ONLINE RESEARCHES SUGGEST THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS, AND WE DON'T DETECT ANY SERIOUS EFFORT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617596
103,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, NOTICED SIDE LIGHTS WERE ON, CAR WAS NOT ON. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNED PLASTIC. TRIED MULTIPLE WAYS TO SHUT OFF THE SIDE LIGHTS, COULDN'T DO IT. FINALLY TRACED THE SMELL OF THE BURNING PLASTIC TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, BY THE LIFT GATE, BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE ELECTRI…
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WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, NOTICED SIDE LIGHTS WERE ON, CAR WAS NOT ON. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNED PLASTIC. TRIED MULTIPLE WAYS TO SHUT OFF THE SIDE LIGHTS, COULDN'T DO IT. FINALLY TRACED THE SMELL OF THE BURNING PLASTIC TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, BY THE LIFT GATE, BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE ELECTRICAL CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE VEHICLE TO THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNING AND SMOKING. DISCONNECTED IT AND THE POWER FAILURE STOPPED, BY THEN THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND WIRES BURNT. TOOK PHOTOS OF THE WIRING TO SHOW IT, PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE CONDENSATION IN THE AREA AND MOISTURE CAUSED A SHORT IN THE HARNESS. WITHOUT INTERVENING CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564037
38,000 miles · Aug 18, 2013
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE CENTER DASH DISPLAY WAS DARK: RADIO AND CD CHANGER, OUTSIDE TEMP, AVE MPG, CLOCK. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING, EVERYTHING WORKED OK. THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 3 ADDITIONAL OCCURRENCES SINCE. ALSO SEE ONE SIMILAR REPORTED…
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WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE CENTER DASH DISPLAY WAS DARK: RADIO AND CD CHANGER, OUTSIDE TEMP, AVE MPG, CLOCK. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING, EVERYTHING WORKED OK. THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 3 ADDITIONAL OCCURRENCES SINCE. ALSO SEE ONE SIMILAR REPORTED CASE: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2009/SUBARU/FORESTER/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535934
80,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
COMPASS DISPLAY IN REAR VIEW MIRROR WENT OUT, NO LONGER DISPLAYS DIRECTION. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND HIS WENT OUT ALSO. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE IT HELPS TELL THE DRIVER WHAT DIRECTION HE'S TRAVELING WHEN TRAVELING IN UNFAMILIAR PLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521058
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520855
45,000 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Electrical System
I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE TODAY; IT WAS OFF AND ON RAINY WEATHER, SO I HAD BEEN RUNNING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS A LITTLE. TURNED OFF CAR; WENT IN STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED CAR UP - I NOTICED THE TIME/TEMP/MILEAGE DISPLAY WAS BLACK, THEN, I NOTICED THE RADIO HAD LOST POWER; THEN I NOTICED THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, …
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I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE TODAY; IT WAS OFF AND ON RAINY WEATHER, SO I HAD BEEN RUNNING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS A LITTLE. TURNED OFF CAR; WENT IN STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED CAR UP - I NOTICED THE TIME/TEMP/MILEAGE DISPLAY WAS BLACK, THEN, I NOTICED THE RADIO HAD LOST POWER; THEN I NOTICED THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, BUT NOT UNTIL I WAS OUT IN THE HIGHWAY AND NEEDED TO USE THEM. THIS WAS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I MADE ANOTHER STOP, TURNED OFF CAR, WENT IN STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED UP CAR - AT THAT TIME, THE WIPERS, RADIO AND DISPLAY WERE BACK TO NORMAL ??? THIS UNDEPENDABLE WILL NOT DO. SUBARU NEEDS TO REPAIR MY CAR AT NO CHARGE. I BELIEVE MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH SUBARU IS OVER, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND WHAT I EXPERIENCED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472991
3,411 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED AN WITHIN SECONDS, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT, MELTING SOME PLASTIC PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS …
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2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED AN WITHIN SECONDS, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT, MELTING SOME PLASTIC PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS GOING TO THE SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAD BURNED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10340035
3,411 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Electrical SystemFire
FIRE ERUPTED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL BELOW THE TRUNK COVER ON 2009 SUBARU FORESTER WITH LESS THAN 3,500 MILES. THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO AND SUBARU IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INSURANCE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291595
Official recalls
17Nov 10, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.
Jan 11, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
Jan 10, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
May 25, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
Dec 31, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Jun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Dec 26, 2012
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Mar 13, 2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN THE REAR CENTER SEATING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT MEET LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION. SPECIFICALLY, THE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERMIT PROPER INSTALLATION AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Sep 11, 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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