NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
87 reports168,565 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
79,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND HAD TO BE TO GRAND SUBARU (125 W GRAND AVE, BENSONVILLE, IL 60106, (888) 840-3934) WHERE IT WAS DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND HAD TO BE TO GRAND SUBARU (125 W GRAND AVE, BENSONVILLE, IL 60106, (888) 840-3934) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THREE OF THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES LEAKED FLUID AND ONE WAS BADLY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: [XXX] WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11075089
137,713 miles · Jan 30, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES BUT THE PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE THE CAR SLOWS VERY QUICKLY AND COMES CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CHECKED FORUMS ON THE WEB AND FOUND WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME ISSU…
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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES BUT THE PEDAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE THE CAR SLOWS VERY QUICKLY AND COMES CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CHECKED FORUMS ON THE WEB AND FOUND WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME ISSUES. THE FORUM IS SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG PLEASE CHECK THIS SIGHT THE CODE IS P2138 ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED
NHTSA ODI #11065952
126,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Service Brakes
EVEN AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE BRAKE LINE RECALL, MONTHS LATER AFTER A SUBARU DEALERSHIP TESTED THEM, MY BREAKS STILL GAVE AWAY. IT WAS SAID THAT IT WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND IT WAS BLOWN. THIS HAPPENS 3-4 MONTHS AFTER I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO GET THE RECALL CHECKED. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY HALF THE COST TO FIX IT. I SHOUL…
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EVEN AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE BRAKE LINE RECALL, MONTHS LATER AFTER A SUBARU DEALERSHIP TESTED THEM, MY BREAKS STILL GAVE AWAY. IT WAS SAID THAT IT WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND IT WAS BLOWN. THIS HAPPENS 3-4 MONTHS AFTER I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO GET THE RECALL CHECKED. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY HALF THE COST TO FIX IT. I SHOULDN'T HAD TO. THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFIED IT BEFORE IT HAD HAPPENED. IT DOES NOT TAKE 3-4 MONTHS TO BE COME SO SEVERELY CORRODED THAT MY BREAKS GAVE AWAY WHILE DRIVING TO WALMART. LUCKILY I WAS RIGHT BY THE DEALERSHIP SO ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, I QUICKLY DROVE IT OFF THE CITY STREET AND INTO SUBARU DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS PARKING IT, I NO LONGER HAD BREAKS. I HAD IMMEDIATELY PULLED MY E-BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPOT.
NHTSA ODI #11043112
130,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Service Brakes
THE BRAKE FAILED TO STOP. ON CITY ROAD. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PADDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN ONLY TO GET WEAK BREAKING CAPABILITY. TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO GARAGE FOR BREAK REPAIR. THE CAR NEEDED BREAK LINER PARTS. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $300.. SUBARU ADMITTED THE PROBLEM, GAVE $150 COUPON FOR GOOD FAITH. BRAKE FAILURE. IT COULD KI…
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THE BRAKE FAILED TO STOP. ON CITY ROAD. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PADDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN ONLY TO GET WEAK BREAKING CAPABILITY. TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO GARAGE FOR BREAK REPAIR. THE CAR NEEDED BREAK LINER PARTS. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $300.. SUBARU ADMITTED THE PROBLEM, GAVE $150 COUPON FOR GOOD FAITH. BRAKE FAILURE. IT COULD KILL ME FOR BRAKE FAILURE..
NHTSA ODI #11041859
170,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11025469
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 · Aug 30, 2017
Air BagsSeats
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT REALIZING WHEN A PERSON IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO GO OFF WHEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION
NHTSA ODI #11020573
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO SCHEDULING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT O…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO SCHEDULING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT ORDER THE PARTS UNTIL TWO MONTHS LATER WHEN THEY WERE CONTACTED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10990998
145,000 miles · Apr 28, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS NO POWER TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED AND THE DRIVER NEEDS TO AVOID POTENTIAL COLLISIONS BY PULLING OVER ON THE ROAD OR FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10981185
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 ↗
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