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2007 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Subaru Outback do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2023
Power Train

Both front driver and passenger side CV Boots have failed prematurely on several occasions well before the expected life and mileage expectancy for these parts (they have been replaced on four separate occasions). The CV boots hold grease in to provide lubrication to the axels. Safety was at risk as lack of lubrication incre…

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Both front driver and passenger side CV Boots have failed prematurely on several occasions well before the expected life and mileage expectancy for these parts (they have been replaced on four separate occasions). The CV boots hold grease in to provide lubrication to the axels. Safety was at risk as lack of lubrication increased chances of axel and associated component damage (braking and steering) at higher driving speeds. Subaru dealer has verified on each of the four separate occasions that the CV boots failed prematurely. The car has never seen any off road or rough condition driving conditions. The vehicle has always been meticulously maintained and all preventive maintenance requirements complete ahead of or on schedule and any recommended repairs by authorized mechanics are addressed immediately. Was urged by Subaru Dealer to contact Subaru of America (SOA) about the CV boots again failing prematurely. Previously, SOA was contacted and acknowledged parts should not have failed in the timeframes as it had. This time with even less mileage and time in service, Subaru is refusing to address the problem and replace the Subaru OEM parts at their expense.

NHTSA ODI #11558014

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2023
Power TrainSteeringSuspensionCrash

Driving down the freeway, snowy conditions, going roughly 50 mph in a straight line, no curves or turns in sight, hit a very small hump in the road and suddenly I found myself sideways from what seems like a rear steer situation, i corrected as best i could and luckily i was in the only section of the road that didn't have a wal…

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Driving down the freeway, snowy conditions, going roughly 50 mph in a straight line, no curves or turns in sight, hit a very small hump in the road and suddenly I found myself sideways from what seems like a rear steer situation, i corrected as best i could and luckily i was in the only section of the road that didn't have a wall, ended up backwards in a shallow ditch. No immediate damage noted, I was able to drive away, but confidence with driving in snowy and icy conditions has been severely diminished (been driving in snow and ice for 20+ years). My previous vehicle, 1988 chevy s10 was WAY more reliable in the snow that this thing. I have since felt this car try and "kick out" while going well under the speed limit but in slightly icy conditions. The only reason I can think that this hasnt happened again is due to myself being aware of the isssue, new struts and brand new $600 dollar tires i recently purchased. This is a huge issue, and Subaru needs to own up to it, I know i'm not the only one who's experienced this.

NHTSA ODI #11503004

30 miles · Feb 19, 2018
Power TrainFire

... INNER-RIGHT FRONT CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT PERCHED, DIRECTLY OVER THE STARBOARD SIDE EXHAUST, COOKS THE CV BOOT, CAUSING IT TO FAIL, SCATTERING GREASE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FLASHES ON THE EXHAUST DIRECTLY BELOW, INDUCING AN ENGINE BAY FIRE - A.S. JOSEPH

NHTSA ODI #11073624

138,000 miles · Apr 11, 2017
EnginePower Train

MY SUBARU HAS A 2.5L ENGINE. A SUBARU SERVICE CENTER HAS VERIFIED THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE A SEVERE OIL LEAK. MY CAR IS ALSO LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL ON THIS…

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MY SUBARU HAS A 2.5L ENGINE. A SUBARU SERVICE CENTER HAS VERIFIED THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE A SEVERE OIL LEAK. MY CAR IS ALSO LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS SAME SIZE ENGINE BACK IN 2002. I AM STUCK WITH A $2600 REPAIR. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME ENGINE ON DIFFERENT YEAR MAKES OF SUBARUS ON THIS SITE. HTTP://WWW.SMART-SERVICE.COM/BLOG/2010/02/SUBARU-HEAD-GASKET-WILL-SUBARU-PAY-FOR-REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #10971780

65,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE HAD TWO WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. FRONT PASSENGER AT 65,000 AND REAR PASSENGER AT 73,000. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR TREATED BADLY. SUBARU'S IN THE PAST HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THIS PART. I THINK THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430659

26,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

MY SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK BUCKS, SURGES WHEN GOING ON ANY SMALL OR BIG INCLINE. IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME.IT TENDS TO MAKE ME SLIDE MORE CAUSE OF THE SURGES ESPECIALLY WHEN ICY OR WET. I TOOK IT IN 3 TIMES TO A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE 07,08'S HAVING THI…

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MY SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK BUCKS, SURGES WHEN GOING ON ANY SMALL OR BIG INCLINE. IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME.IT TENDS TO MAKE ME SLIDE MORE CAUSE OF THE SURGES ESPECIALLY WHEN ICY OR WET. I TOOK IT IN 3 TIMES TO A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE 07,08'S HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS IN THE COMPUTER/ELECTRONICS. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX IT. I SEE THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS AND IGNORED THIS PROBLEM. SO IS SUBARU. IT IS A COMPUTER DEFECT THAT SUBARU SAID THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY FIX. IT WAS THE COMPUTER HOOKED TO THE DRIVER'S PEDAL AND GAS. I SENT LETTERS TO THE MAIN SUBARU OFFICE, TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO AFTER THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313594

53,543 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Power Train

VERY INTERMITTENT VIBRATION FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE-TRAIN THAT STARTED ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, CULMINATING WITH THE CAR SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVE-TRAIN SUDDENLY LOCKING UP ALL FOUR WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. OF COURSE, VEHICLE CONTROL IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. VERY FORTUNATELY, THER…

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VERY INTERMITTENT VIBRATION FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE-TRAIN THAT STARTED ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, CULMINATING WITH THE CAR SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVE-TRAIN SUDDENLY LOCKING UP ALL FOUR WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. OF COURSE, VEHICLE CONTROL IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. VERY FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES FOLLOWING OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I"M HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALER ON THURSDAY MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279538

6,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Power Train

ON 2 LANE HWY, HAD TO BRAKE SHARPLY ( 60 TO 10) FOR DEER. SEMI BEHIND ME, NOT CLOSE. DEER CROSSED. FLOORED ACCELERATOR, ENGINE SAT AT REDLINE 3 SEC BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. SEMI JACKNIFED BEHIND US, BUT DID NOT HIT US. THIS ACTION IS REPEATABLE. I SUSPECT IT'S RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DOWNHILL FAILURE (UN-COUPLING TH…

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ON 2 LANE HWY, HAD TO BRAKE SHARPLY ( 60 TO 10) FOR DEER. SEMI BEHIND ME, NOT CLOSE. DEER CROSSED. FLOORED ACCELERATOR, ENGINE SAT AT REDLINE 3 SEC BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. SEMI JACKNIFED BEHIND US, BUT DID NOT HIT US. THIS ACTION IS REPEATABLE. I SUSPECT IT'S RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DOWNHILL FAILURE (UN-COUPLING THE TORQUE CONVERTER???). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214687

2,200 miles · Sep 22, 2007
Power Train

THE LATEST INCIDENT DATE IS SHOWN BELOW, THE FIRST TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS IN FEB 07. THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR OCCURRENCES. IN EACH EVENT THE AUTOMOBILE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD BEEN DECELERATING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A RAPIDLY APPROACHING VEHICLE WHILE EITHER MAKING AN EVASIV…

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THE LATEST INCIDENT DATE IS SHOWN BELOW, THE FIRST TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS IN FEB 07. THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR OCCURRENCES. IN EACH EVENT THE AUTOMOBILE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD BEEN DECELERATING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A RAPIDLY APPROACHING VEHICLE WHILE EITHER MAKING AN EVASIVE MANEUVER DUE TO ROAD OBSTACLES OR WHILE MERGING IN CONGESTED HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP TO NEAR "RED LINE" WITH NO ACCOMPANYING ACCELERATION OR ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME IN EXCESS OF ONE FULL SECOND TO AN ESTIMATED THREE SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. IN EACH INSTANCE, THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN ON THE PART OF THE DRIVERS (THREE DIFFERENT ONES) THAT A "NEAR ACCIDENT" OCCURRED. WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS FIRST NOTIFIED AT THE DEALERSHIP, AN EXPLANATION OF THE LATEST "DRIVE BY WIRE" TRANSMISSIONS WITH "FUZZY LOGIC", ANTICIPATING COMPUTER PROGRAMMING WAS OFFERED. THOUGH PLAUSIBLE, IT DID NOT SEEM A VERY LIKELY "NORMAL" EXPECTATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DECLARED THAT ONLY THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE TROUBLE SHOOTING THE SYSTEMS. I WAS ASSURED THAT THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO WORK THROUGH THE MANUFACTURING TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS, AND I HAD NO NEED TO CONTACT THEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THOROUGHLY TESTED THE SYSTEMS, DROVE IT AT LENGTH, AND AGAIN ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN CONDITION AND WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL TO AVOID ANY SITUATION WHERE ANY UNANTICIPATED RAPID CHANGES FROM DECELERATION TO ACCELERATION WOULD BE NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203724

Official recalls

8

20V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

20V002000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

20V003000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

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.

16V738000 · Electrical System

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.

15V323000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

14V311000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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.

13V110000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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