NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
16 reportsClear category filter147,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THIS ONLY AFFECT 05-06 LEGACY GT OWNERS. THE UP-PIPE FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY GT IN THESE GIVEN YEARS HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THERE AND AFTER A CERTAIN MILEAGE, THE DEBRIS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING DOWN WOULD SHOOT BACK INTO THE TURBOCHARGER. THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TURBO FAILURE AND STALL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY. TH…
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THIS ONLY AFFECT 05-06 LEGACY GT OWNERS. THE UP-PIPE FOR THE SUBARU LEGACY GT IN THESE GIVEN YEARS HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THERE AND AFTER A CERTAIN MILEAGE, THE DEBRIS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BREAKING DOWN WOULD SHOOT BACK INTO THE TURBOCHARGER. THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TURBO FAILURE AND STALL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE UP-PIPE DOES NOT HAVE ANY INDICATION OF % OF WEAR AND MOST NON-CAR ENTHUSIASTS WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY EXCEPT FOR AN EXPENSIVE TURBO REPLACEMENT AND UP-PIPE REPLACEMENTS. MOST OF THE OWNERS OF THESE ISSUES TURN OVER TO CATLESS UP-PIPE BUT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OVERBOOSTING OR THE ENGINE RUN RICH, FURTHER DAMAGING THE ENGINE. THIS CAN BE PRETTY DANGEROUS IF A PERSON IS ON A ROAD TRIP AND HAVING A LONG DRIVE AS IT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. SUBARU HAS RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE AND THEREFORE 07+ TURBO MODELS ALL HAVE A CATLESS UP-PIPE WITH THE ECU TUNED TO THAT SPECIFICATION. I BELIEVE IT IS NOT FAIR FOR 05-06 LEGACY GT OWNERS TO HAVE TO SUFFER FROM SUCH A CRITICAL ISSUE WITHOUT SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION OR RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
NHTSA ODI #11204499
168,565 miles · Feb 28, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
I HAD RUN INTO A FEW SMALL PROBLEMS THIS WINTER, LIKE MY STEERING WHEEL NOT TURNING WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD, BUT I EXPERIENCED MY FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT HAD BEEN RUNNING. I WAS GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH, HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, THEN WHEN I WENT TO SHIFT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, NOTHING WOULD HAP…
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I HAD RUN INTO A FEW SMALL PROBLEMS THIS WINTER, LIKE MY STEERING WHEEL NOT TURNING WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD, BUT I EXPERIENCED MY FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT HAD BEEN RUNNING. I WAS GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH, HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, THEN WHEN I WENT TO SHIFT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. I DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM WAS TEMP. RELATED, IT WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON/OFF FOUR OR FIVE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT GOING, BUT MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STRANGE. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THAT THE "BRAKE" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT DAY, I STARTED MY CAR BEFORE WORK TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS. THE CAR STARTED JUST FINE (ALL THE ELECTRICS WORKED AND THE ENGINE WAS ON AND RUNNING), AND I WENT INSIDE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER I CAME BACK TO MY CAR, AND THE ENGINE HAD TURNED OFF. AT FIRST THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKED. MY FRIEND CAME AND TESTED THE VOLTAGE ANYWAY, BECAUSE A DEAD BATTERY IS COMMON WHEN IT GETS COLD, AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE WARNING LIGHTS THAT I NOTICED WERE ON WERE THE "BRAKE" LIGHT, AS WELL AS THE "ABS" LIGHT. AFTER TRYING TO TURN IT ON A COUPLE TIMES, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. IT WILL START IF I LEAVE IT FOR A FEW HOURS, BUT I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
NHTSA ODI #11075502
136,000 miles · Sep 19, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AFTER PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING . I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE AND MISSED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC...I NOTICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING CRUSE CONTROL LIGHT... SECOND TIME SOME WEEKS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING THIS IS VE…
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CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AFTER PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING . I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE AND MISSED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC...I NOTICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FLASHING CRUSE CONTROL LIGHT... SECOND TIME SOME WEEKS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11024196
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2017
Engine
THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WENT OUT WITH ONLY 67,000 MILEAGE ON THE ENGINE AND I HEAR THIS HAPPENING ON THIS STYLE AND YEAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE HEARD THAT SUBARU IS RECALLING MANY OF THE ENGINES FROM 2012 TO 2013. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND SUBARU SHOULD RECALL THE ENGINES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA ODI #10950113
80,000 miles · Jan 27, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A CODE TO IDENTIFY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10948060
170,000 miles · Mar 20, 2016
Engine
WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 45 MPH, CAME TO A STOP AND CE AND CC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND GAS PEDAL WAS DISSABLED, SO A FELLOW MOTORIST HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION. AFTER TURNING ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES THROTTLE CONTROL CAME BACK AND I COULD DRIVE HOME (CE AND CC LIGHTS STILL ON). I REPLACED THE G…
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WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 45 MPH, CAME TO A STOP AND CE AND CC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND GAS PEDAL WAS DISSABLED, SO A FELLOW MOTORIST HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION. AFTER TURNING ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES THROTTLE CONTROL CAME BACK AND I COULD DRIVE HOME (CE AND CC LIGHTS STILL ON). I REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL AND RESET THE LIGHTS. SIMILAR PROBLEM REOCCURRED ON WAY TO WORK, CE AND CC LIGHTS CAME ON BUT STILL HAD THROTTLE CONTROL AND CC WAS INACTIVE. I SUSPECT A DISCONNECT IN THE DRIVE BY WIRE LOGIC FOR THE GAS PEDAL VERSUS THE CC.
NHTSA ODI #10850626
150,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT AND CRUISE LIGHTS COME ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BECAUSE OF IT. IT SET A CODE #P2138. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10823381
140,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10794749
35,000 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Engine
THE ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC. THE RESULTING PROBLEM WAS A FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS FAILURE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR WAS WITHOUT POWER TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD SHE BEEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR MULT…
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THE ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR IN TRAFFIC. THE RESULTING PROBLEM WAS A FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS FAILURE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR WAS WITHOUT POWER TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD SHE BEEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT. MY QUESTION TO SUBARU (GIVEN THEY LIKE TO TOUT THEIR AUTOMOBILES' SAFETY RECORD) IS WHY WOULD ANY ENGINE SENSOR FAILURE LEAVE THE CAR WITHOUT POWER? ISN'T THIS THE SAME AS THE INFAMOUS GM IGNITION SWITCH TRAGEDY? SINCE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR UNDERSTANDABLE REASONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691055
181,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
NHTSA ODI #10668867
Official recalls
7Jan 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.
May 28, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
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.
Mar 27, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and 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.
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 inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area 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 on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗