NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
55 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 2, 2017
EnginePower TrainWheels
ORDERED & PURCHASED CAR 2012 BEGAN SENDING COMPLAINTS TO DEALER & MANUFACTURE ABOUT THE VEHICLE WANDERING OVER THE ROAD, BRAKES GRABBING, TIRES LOSING AIR, POOR TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, BAD BATTERY AND MANY MORE. AFTER MY COMPLAINTS WERE NEGLECTED I HAD TO SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE FAULTY FACTORY YOKOHAMA AVID TIRES @ 24K MILES & …
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ORDERED & PURCHASED CAR 2012 BEGAN SENDING COMPLAINTS TO DEALER & MANUFACTURE ABOUT THE VEHICLE WANDERING OVER THE ROAD, BRAKES GRABBING, TIRES LOSING AIR, POOR TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, BAD BATTERY AND MANY MORE. AFTER MY COMPLAINTS WERE NEGLECTED I HAD TO SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE FAULTY FACTORY YOKOHAMA AVID TIRES @ 24K MILES & PURCHASED WARRANTEE DIRECT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ADDRESS COMPLICATIONS (LIKE STARTER) THIS CAR HAS WELL UNDER 40K MILES NOW BUT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY & THE CAR WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED. THIS CAR ALWAYS USES COOLANT & BRAKE FLUID, AS WELL AS A STRANGE ENGINE OIL SITUATION (PRESENTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE CLASS ACTION OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM). I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NON-RESPONSIVE TRANSMISSION & POOR ACCELERATION. I'M ALREADY DISABLED FROM JOB-RELATED SPINAL INJURIES & HAVE DONE MY DARNEDEST TO DRIVE AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID DRIVING DURING RUSH TRAFFIC, CHECK TIRE PRESSURES & OIL USE SO I KEEP MY PERFECT DRIVING RECORD FOR INSURANCE & HEALTH PURPOSE. I THOUGHT THAT BUYING A NEW CAR KEEPS ONE FROM MANY PURCHASES YET, I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON THIS NEW CAR THAN ANY USED CAR. WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF? WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHICH FILES ARE BEST TO SEND?
NHTSA ODI #11021235
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2017
Engine
OIL LEAK (SMALL DRIP) FROM THE FRONT TIMING BELT COVER, ON THE DRIVER SIDE (SIDE OF THE WATER PUMP). THE LEAK IS NOT OBVIOUS: DUE TO THE LOCATION, UNDER THE COVER, IT IS NOT VISIBLE FROM CASUAL INSPECTION. THE SMALL DRIP IS CAUGHT BY THE ENGINE UNDERCOVER AND DOES NOT LEAVE A MARK ON THE FLOOR. IT TAKES TIME TO NOTICE IT. THE CO…
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OIL LEAK (SMALL DRIP) FROM THE FRONT TIMING BELT COVER, ON THE DRIVER SIDE (SIDE OF THE WATER PUMP). THE LEAK IS NOT OBVIOUS: DUE TO THE LOCATION, UNDER THE COVER, IT IS NOT VISIBLE FROM CASUAL INSPECTION. THE SMALL DRIP IS CAUGHT BY THE ENGINE UNDERCOVER AND DOES NOT LEAVE A MARK ON THE FLOOR. IT TAKES TIME TO NOTICE IT. THE COVER STARTED TO LEAK ABOUT A YEAR AGO (2016), IF NOT EARLIER--SUBARU FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE LEAK DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE UNTIL LAST MONTH -- WHICH IS QUITE SURPRISING. THE FRONT COVER IS SUPPOSED TO BE SEALED (NO GASKET). THE SEAL IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR THE DESIGN LIFE OF THE ENGINE. BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS SEAL ISSUE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT OF THE FACTORY SEAL AT THE LOCATION OF THE SCREWS. IN SOME CASES, THE LEAK WAS FIXED BY REMOVING THE SCREWS, ADDING SEALANT AND PUTTING BACK THE SCREWS (MY COVER ALSO SEEMS TO LEAK AT THE SCREW LOCATION TOO). THIS FIX SUGGEST A MANUFACTURING DEFECT DURING INSTALLATION OF THE COVER: FAILURE TO ADD SEALANT TO THE SCREWS OR FAILURE TO ADD SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF SEALANT AT THE SCREW LOCATION. SUBARU NOW RECOMMENDS A FRONT COVER RESEAL ($650). THIS KNOWN ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH DURING THE ENGINE WARRANTY PERIOD.
NHTSA ODI #11011524
67,000 miles · Sep 4, 2016
EnginePower Train
MY SON'S 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA, WAS BOUGHT USED, WITH 59,000. MILES, WITH HOPE OF OWNING A RELIABLE, SAFE VEHICLE ON 2/11/16. ON 6/26/16 HE WENT FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WITHIN ONE WEEK THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SEIZED. HE WAS DRIVING HOME, NO WARNING LIGHTS, OR ANYTHING JUST MADE A LOUD SOUND THEN HE WAS JUST BARELY ABLE TO MAKE…
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MY SON'S 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA, WAS BOUGHT USED, WITH 59,000. MILES, WITH HOPE OF OWNING A RELIABLE, SAFE VEHICLE ON 2/11/16. ON 6/26/16 HE WENT FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WITHIN ONE WEEK THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SEIZED. HE WAS DRIVING HOME, NO WARNING LIGHTS, OR ANYTHING JUST MADE A LOUD SOUND THEN HE WAS JUST BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF A BUSY 3 LANE ROAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. AT THE TIME, WE WORRIED THAT THE OIL CHANGE MAY HAVE BEEN DONE IMPROPERLY AND CAUSED THE ISSUE. WE CONTACTED THE BUSINESS, WHO THEN HAD A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC/INSPECTOR VERIFY THAT IT WAS NOT THE OIL CHANGE BUT AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM. WE THEN HAD TOWED IT AGAIN TO SUBARU DEALER THAT WAS 7/12/16. THEN WE BEGAN CALLING- DAILY OR EVERY OTHER DAY; TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND EMAILING TO CORPORATE SUBARU- ASKING WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIS CAR? WHY DID IT HAPPEN? WHAT CAN BE DONE? WHAT WILL IT COST? FINALLY, ON 8/22/16, WE HEARD FROM SUBARU SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY -BUT WILL AUTHORIZE A $2,000. TOWARD REPAIR OR NEW CAR. WE CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE WE STILL HAD NOT HEARD OR RECEIVED A REASON/QUOTE OF REPAIR. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS DAMAGE TO A PISTON AND IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $10,000. AND THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND IT; BETTER TO TALK TO SALES. THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS ON THE POWERTRAIN, WE ARE AT 67,000 MILES AND 4 YEARS. SO NOW WE STILL OWE $8,000. AND HAVE $10,000. REPAIR, AND THEY ARE OFFERING $2,000. MONEY VS SAFETY AND NOW VS TRUST WE WANT A SAFE RELIABLE CAR, FROM A COMPANY THAT WE COULD TRUST. WE THOUGHT THAT WAS SUBARU.
NHTSA ODI #10903535
45,750 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Engine
AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE AT 43,000 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 2,000 MILES. OIL LEVEL WAS OVER A QUART LOW. I FOUND NO OIL LEAK AT THE PAN OR FILTER AND NO OIL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. OIL LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING. OIL IS ALWAYS LOW WHEN I CHECK IT. PLAN TO ADDRESS WITH DEALERSHIP. THIS MODEL…
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AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE AT 43,000 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 2,000 MILES. OIL LEVEL WAS OVER A QUART LOW. I FOUND NO OIL LEAK AT THE PAN OR FILTER AND NO OIL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. OIL LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING. OIL IS ALWAYS LOW WHEN I CHECK IT. PLAN TO ADDRESS WITH DEALERSHIP. THIS MODEL WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR SUBARU'S NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE. HMMM?
NHTSA ODI #10789826
29,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Engine
PURCHASED THE CAR USE AT 28000 MILES. CHECKED OIL AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS FULL. DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES BEFORE A LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. SOUGHT THE HELP OF SUBARU AND GOT AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 700 MILES BURNING 16.5 QUARTS. HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE. CAR WAS OIL CHANGED AND REPLAC…
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PURCHASED THE CAR USE AT 28000 MILES. CHECKED OIL AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS FULL. DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES BEFORE A LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. SOUGHT THE HELP OF SUBARU AND GOT AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 700 MILES BURNING 16.5 QUARTS. HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE. CAR WAS OIL CHANGED AND REPLACEMENT SHORT BLOCK ORDERED. REPLACED SHORT BLOCK AND CURRENTLY BREAKING IN NEW BLOCK.
NHTSA ODI #10745993
1,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2012 AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADDED 1 QUART +/- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1,200 MILES, MORE OFTEN AND INCREASED ADDED OIL VOLUME DURING EXTENDED DRIVING TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH SUBARU DEALERS/SERVICE MANAGERS IN 3 DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA CITIES WHOM HAVE BEEN ALERT…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2012 AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADDED 1 QUART +/- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1,200 MILES, MORE OFTEN AND INCREASED ADDED OIL VOLUME DURING EXTENDED DRIVING TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH SUBARU DEALERS/SERVICE MANAGERS IN 3 DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA CITIES WHOM HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THIS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE AND HAVE CASUALLY EXPLAINED THE CONSUMPTION OF 3-5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AS NORMAL. RESEARCH SEEMS TO SHOW THAT SOME SUBARU DEALERS HAVE BEGUN TO REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINES THAT ARE CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WITH DOCUMENTED OIL LOSS. THOSE PEOPLE THAT VISIT THE DEALER EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEIR SERVICE ARE LIKELY THE ONES WHO WILL HAVE THEIR ENGINES REPLACED WITHOUT COST, LEAVING THE REST OF US OUT TO DRY. SUBARU NEEDS TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM, NOT SWEEP THE ISSUE UNDER THE RUG AND FORCE THE SUBARU CUSTOMER BASE TO PAY TOO MUCH FOR AN ENGINE THAT WAS NOT MEANT TO LAST.
NHTSA ODI #10731342
7,600 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED BACK IN NOVEMBER. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1500 MILES, IT REQUIRES 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SALES REP, HE SAID THIS MODEL WAS KNOWN FOR HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE PISTONS LEAKING. HE SAID IT SEEMED THAT A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS, SO I JUST WANTED TO REGISTER THE FACT THAT I AM ALSO HAVING THE…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED BACK IN NOVEMBER. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1500 MILES, IT REQUIRES 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SALES REP, HE SAID THIS MODEL WAS KNOWN FOR HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE PISTONS LEAKING. HE SAID IT SEEMED THAT A RECALL WAS IN THE WORKS, SO I JUST WANTED TO REGISTER THE FACT THAT I AM ALSO HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHER CAR OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THIS MODEL.
NHTSA ODI #10690828
5,500 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Engine
SINCE OIL CHANGE NUMBER 1, THE ENGINE OIL WAS DOWN A LITTLE OVER A QUART. THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES FULL SYNTHETIC OIL 0/20. AT EVERY OIL CHANGE THE OIL IS A QUART OR MORE LOW. A FEW TIMES THE OIL LIGHT HAS GONE ON WELL BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT BE BURNING OIL, ESPECIALLY FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670685
8,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Engine
OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRASTIC DAMAGE AND INJURY ALONG WITH GREATER WEAR. I HAVE BEEN MITIGATING IT WITH KEEPING OIL IN THE TRUNK BUT NO GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HA…
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OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRASTIC DAMAGE AND INJURY ALONG WITH GREATER WEAR. I HAVE BEEN MITIGATING IT WITH KEEPING OIL IN THE TRUNK BUT NO GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE IT. THE OIL ALSO RUINED MY TRUNK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668509
26,586 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Engine
2012 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS BEEN NEEDING AN AVERAGE OF 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE MAY OF 2013. OIL CONSUMPTION TEXT STARTED AT NORTH COUNTRY SUBARU IN QUEENSBURY, NY ON AUGUST 5, 2014 WHEN THE CAR HAD 26586 MILES ON IT. NEW OIL FLOAT SWITCH WAS PUT INTO THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 AT 28654 MILES. CAR CONT…
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2012 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS BEEN NEEDING AN AVERAGE OF 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE MAY OF 2013. OIL CONSUMPTION TEXT STARTED AT NORTH COUNTRY SUBARU IN QUEENSBURY, NY ON AUGUST 5, 2014 WHEN THE CAR HAD 26586 MILES ON IT. NEW OIL FLOAT SWITCH WAS PUT INTO THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 AT 28654 MILES. CAR CONTINUES TO NEED 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655287
Official recalls
6Feb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Nov 1, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
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.
Jul 1, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.
Feb 25, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Electrical System
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Nov 29, 2011
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE15012 · Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Opened Apr 10, 2015 · Closed Jul 15, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on April 10, 2015 based on 26 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports involving the passenger frontal air bag in MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles.These vehicles use a capacitive type Occupant Detection System (ODS), which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full sized, small stature, a child seat, or other object.The reports alleged that the ODS failed to operate properly and incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied.In a frontal crash sufficient to warranty deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On June 25, 2015, Subaru of America, Inc. submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) advising NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the ODS in 32,400 MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles equipped with a capacitance type ODS for the front passenger's seat.The DIR notes that the WRX/STI models are excluded from this recall as they are equipped with a different type (weight-recognition based) ODS for the front passenger's seat. ODI is closing this investigation based on Subaru's recall action.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues under the following ID numbers:10668512, 10668243, 10662987, 10641835, 10640574, 10626384, 10622234, 10621456, 10619273, 10605789, 10604506, 10575908, 10559081, 10557856, 10556661, 10545059, 10538562, 10532118, 10481308, 10478660, 10473662, 10472608, 10470865, 10468157, 10463432, 10672345, 10712288, 10713178, 10731645.