NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
74 reportsClear category filter66,800 miles · Oct 20, 2019
EngineFire
FACTORY RECALL FOR A VALVE SPRING AND BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON SEPT.25, 2019. THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS PRESENT TO DOCUMENT AN…
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FACTORY RECALL FOR A VALVE SPRING AND BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON SEPT.25, 2019. THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS PRESENT TO DOCUMENT AND TAKE PHOTOS. MY CAR WAS TOWED. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO CARS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11269739
64,000 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Engine
AFTER 7 WEEKS AND MULTIPLE COSMETIC ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR I AM STILL DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR THAT SMELLS OF GAS. ALL OF THIS OCCURRING AFTER A FAULTY RECALL REPAIR (THAT THEY DO NOT DENY) THAT NEARLY CAUSED A MULTI CAR CRASH ON RT495. WHAT I WANT FROM PATRICK MOTORS/ SUBARU OF AMERICA: I WANT MY CAR …
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AFTER 7 WEEKS AND MULTIPLE COSMETIC ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR I AM STILL DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR THAT SMELLS OF GAS. ALL OF THIS OCCURRING AFTER A FAULTY RECALL REPAIR (THAT THEY DO NOT DENY) THAT NEARLY CAUSED A MULTI CAR CRASH ON RT495. WHAT I WANT FROM PATRICK MOTORS/ SUBARU OF AMERICA: I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE SATISFACTION THAT THE CAR IS NOT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. CAN YOU HELP ME!
NHTSA ODI #11268240
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2019
EngineService Brakes
I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 2 SAFETY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE: SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 (NHTSA ID 18V-772) AND SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 (NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149.) I PURCHASED MY CAR ON THE ISLAND OF O'AHU AND LIVE ON THE ISLAND OF MOLOKA'I. SERVCO SUBARU WILL NOT PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE SHIPPED BY BARGE FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THE VALVE…
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I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 2 SAFETY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE: SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 (NHTSA ID 18V-772) AND SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 (NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149.) I PURCHASED MY CAR ON THE ISLAND OF O'AHU AND LIVE ON THE ISLAND OF MOLOKA'I. SERVCO SUBARU WILL NOT PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE SHIPPED BY BARGE FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THE VALVE SPRINGS AFFECTED ARE A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE UPON MANUFACTURE, I FEEL THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF SHIPPING. MY BUDGET IS TIGHT AND THIS WILL BE A HARDSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11267766
78,095 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
ON 07/08/2019 I TOOK MY SUBARU IMPREZA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALLS WUE90 AND WTY84 COMPETED. IT NOW SEEMS THAT WHATEVER WORK WAS DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALLS HAS BEEN CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON 07/09, AND I PICKED IT UP THAT DAY. BEGINNING ON 07/10, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE A…
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ON 07/08/2019 I TOOK MY SUBARU IMPREZA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALLS WUE90 AND WTY84 COMPETED. IT NOW SEEMS THAT WHATEVER WORK WAS DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALLS HAS BEEN CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON 07/09, AND I PICKED IT UP THAT DAY. BEGINNING ON 07/10, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. SO FAR, THESE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE DISPLAYED FOR A PORTION, OR FOR THE ENTIRETY, OF 22 OF THE PAST 32 DAYS. BOTH LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE AND VDC) HAVE DISPLAYED TOGETHER EVERY TIME, AND ARE USUALLY ON OR OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION AND I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT (-21.6%) DECREASE FROM MY AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE. ON FOUR OCCASIONS THAT I AM ABLE TO RECALL, THE WARNING LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON UNDER BRAKING (I.E. THEY WERE OFF WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND THEN TURNED ON AT SOME POINT DURING MY TRIP WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES). WHETHER THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT ISN'T WORKING (OTHER THAN THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I MENTIONED). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO SUBARU TWICE TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE: FIRST ON 07/10 AND THEN ON 08/07. THEY SCANNED THE CODES, DID SOME WORK ON IT, AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME, CLAIMING THAT IT WAS FIXED. THE ONE THING THEY ARE FAILING TO CONSIDER IS THAT THE PROBLEM MAY ACTUALLY BE RELATED TO THE SERVICE PERFORMED TO COMPLETE THE RECALLS BECAUSE I'VE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VDC SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON DURING THAT PERIOD EITHER. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. ATTACHMENT: PHOTO OF WARNING LIGHTS AFTER LEAVING THE CAMELBACK SUBARU (PHOENIX, AZ) SERVICE SHOP ON 08/07/2019.
NHTSA ODI #11242937
98,105 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Engine
RECALL #18V-772, VALVE SPRING REPAIR. ON MAY 9, 2019 ROGER'S SUBARU PERFORMED RECALL WORK ON MY 2013 IMPREZA. NOW MY ENGINE MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THIS NOISE HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING & WHEN STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11241968
97,600 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Engine
RECALL WORK TO REPLACE THE VALVE SPRINGS WAS PERFORMED MAY 13TH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MAY 14TH. LESS THAN 500 MILES AND ONE MONTH LATER IT THREW A PISTON ROD AND BLEW THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11222976
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. TIMMONS SUBARU (3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. TIMMONS SUBARU (3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90807, (888) 496-9707) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11221320
70,215 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EngineExterior LightingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 489-1301) WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD MAJOR DAMAGE THAT WAS COVERED UP TO RESELL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE IN THEIR SYSTEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGE TITLE. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE CONTACT MAY HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (AUTO SALES CT, 1320 WOLCOTT RD, WOLCOTT, CT 06716, (203) 441-4911) DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,215.
NHTSA ODI #11219450
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2019
Engine
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON FAULTY VALVE SPRINGS AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WOULD BE AT LEAST ONE YEAR BEFORE THEY COULD MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS TIMEFRAME IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE RISK OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION I AM ASSUMING WHILE WAITING. WHY WOULD YOU ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO PUSH OUT CRITICAL SAFETY REPAIRS THAT FAR OUT?????
NHTSA ODI #11218543
55,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAULT CODE WAS UNABLE TO BE RETRIEVED. PREVIOUSLY, TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAULT CODE WAS UNABLE TO BE RETRIEVED. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). GURLEY LEEP SUBARU (5302 GRAPE RD, SUITE #2, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545, (574) 258-7700) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11217029
Official recalls
4Feb 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗