NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
67 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 16, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON OVER TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ABLE TO BE REPLICATED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON OVER TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ABLE TO BE REPLICATED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND, AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10790571
3,000 miles · Oct 20, 2015
Engine
SINCE 2013 WE HAVE MADE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER COMPLAINING OF 'ENGINE KNOCK'. THE DEALER HAS PROVIDED A WIDE ARRAY OF POTENTIAL 'FIXES' TO STOP THE KNOCKING BUT NONE HAVE WORKED. WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM VALVE ADJUSTMENTS TO ADDITIVES TO CHEMICAL 'BATHS' FOR THE ENGINE BUT NOTHING HAS STOPPED THE KNOCKING…
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SINCE 2013 WE HAVE MADE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER COMPLAINING OF 'ENGINE KNOCK'. THE DEALER HAS PROVIDED A WIDE ARRAY OF POTENTIAL 'FIXES' TO STOP THE KNOCKING BUT NONE HAVE WORKED. WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM VALVE ADJUSTMENTS TO ADDITIVES TO CHEMICAL 'BATHS' FOR THE ENGINE BUT NOTHING HAS STOPPED THE KNOCKING. MORE THAN ONE SERVICE MANAGER HAS SAID THAT 'KNOCKING' IS NOT GOOD FOR THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HOWEVER, FOR ALL THEIR GOOD INTENTIONS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BE RESOLVED. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE DEALER'S EFFORTS WE DID NOT PAY CASH (FULL PRICE) TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT PERFORM TO STANDARD. SEEING THAT ALL 'FIXES' BY SUBARU HAVE FAILED WE WOULD LIKE OUR MONEY BACK FOR THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OR HAVE THE CAR REPLACED WITH A NEW SUBARU OUTBACK.
NHTSA ODI #10783810
20,000 miles · Oct 10, 2015
Engine
HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN DANVERS MARCH 2015. IN SEPT. 2015, AFTER TRAVELLING 4,000 MILES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO ADD 2 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE NEEDED TO ADD OIL BETWEEN SERVICES. ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE UP TO DATE AND WERE DONE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED…
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HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN DANVERS MARCH 2015. IN SEPT. 2015, AFTER TRAVELLING 4,000 MILES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO ADD 2 QUARTS OF OIL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE NEEDED TO ADD OIL BETWEEN SERVICES. ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE UP TO DATE AND WERE DONE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. AT THIS PRESENT TIME THE CAR HAS ONLY 20,100 MILES. DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR A CAR TO GO THROUGH THIS MUCH OIL. I HAVE HAD FIVE SUBARUS AND NEVER HAVE HAD ONE THAT USED OIL LIKE THIS ONE. THE DAILY DRIVER IS 75 YEARS OLD AND DOES NOT RACE IT OR USE IT AS A TOW VEHICLE (THERE IS NO TOW HITCH). THE ENGINE IS INCREDIBLY ROUGH WHEN STARTING AND CAN HEAR IT IDLING ROUGH AS WELL AS FEELING THE VIBRATIONS IN THE CABIN.
NHTSA ODI #10781258
27,000 miles · Jul 28, 2015
Engine
THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON. STOPPED TO CHECK OIL--WAS VERY LOW. BOUGHT A QUART TO ADD TO THE CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES ALREADY--SAME ORDEAL WHERE I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE. WHEN WILL NHTSA START INVESTIGATING THIS? I HAVE READ AND TALKED TO OTHER OUTBACK OW…
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THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON. STOPPED TO CHECK OIL--WAS VERY LOW. BOUGHT A QUART TO ADD TO THE CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES ALREADY--SAME ORDEAL WHERE I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE. WHEN WILL NHTSA START INVESTIGATING THIS? I HAVE READ AND TALKED TO OTHER OUTBACK OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. RIGHT NOW THE DEALERSHIP HAS PUT THE CAR ON A 1200 MILE INSPECTION TEST..... UPDATED 09/30/15*BF
NHTSA ODI #10744393
27,032 miles · May 24, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
USING EXCESSIVE OIL. THI SI STHE SECON TIME I HAD TO PUT OIL IN APPROXIMATELY 5700 MILEES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. ITS NOT LEAKEING ANYWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #10721200
30,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Engine
AFTER 28,000 MILES AND NOTICED AT DRIVE THROUGH LOCATIONS THE SICKLY SWEET SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE WAS NOTICED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO PRESSURE TESTED AND INSPECTED COOLANT SYSTEM. NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS NOTICED AND NO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED. DROVE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND SMELL RETURNED, WILL DRIVE MORE AND IF SMELL IS NOTICED AGAIN …
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AFTER 28,000 MILES AND NOTICED AT DRIVE THROUGH LOCATIONS THE SICKLY SWEET SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE WAS NOTICED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO PRESSURE TESTED AND INSPECTED COOLANT SYSTEM. NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS NOTICED AND NO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED. DROVE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND SMELL RETURNED, WILL DRIVE MORE AND IF SMELL IS NOTICED AGAIN WILL RETURN TO DEALER. COULD ARISE FROM OIL CHANGES AND IF LEVELING THE FLUID LEVEL THE SPILL BURNOFF COULD BE WHERE THE SMELL COMES FROM... WHEN STARTING CAR THE ENGINE REVS AT A HIGH SPEED BUT THAT IS NORMAL FROM THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE SO AFTER STARTING I PAUSE A BIT BEFORE SHIFTING AND DRIVING. OTHER THAN THE ANTIFREEZE SMELL THE CAR IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10717614
25,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine
WE ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL LOSS (OVER A QUART) FROM A BRAND NEW CAR. A QUART OF OIL MAGICALLY DISAPPEARING. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682374
1,404 miles · Jan 10, 2015
Engine
MY 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM 2.5 HAS A CAUTION LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT ILLUMINATES AS A REMINDER FOR THE OPERATOR TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE LIGHT INDICATES LOW ENGINE OIL LEVELS AND RECOMMENDS ADDING OIL TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE. I ADD A MINIMUM 1 QUART OF OIL, ON A RECURRING CYCLE, TO R…
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MY 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM 2.5 HAS A CAUTION LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT ILLUMINATES AS A REMINDER FOR THE OPERATOR TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE LIGHT INDICATES LOW ENGINE OIL LEVELS AND RECOMMENDS ADDING OIL TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE. I ADD A MINIMUM 1 QUART OF OIL, ON A RECURRING CYCLE, TO RETURN THE OIL LEVEL TO THE FULL MARK ON THE OIL DIPSTICK. MY SUBARU OUTBACK REQUIRES ADDING APPROX. 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1800 MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671550
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2014
Engine
OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OIL LIGHT COMES ON BEFORE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. DID 1200 MILE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WITH NO OIL BURNED. AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB OUT BUT I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD FIX PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE. STILL UNDER WARRANTY. STILL WORKING WITH DEALER WHO HAVE BEEN…
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OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OIL LIGHT COMES ON BEFORE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. DID 1200 MILE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WITH NO OIL BURNED. AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB OUT BUT I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD FIX PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE. STILL UNDER WARRANTY. STILL WORKING WITH DEALER WHO HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO FAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668552
43,199 miles · Oct 26, 2014
Engine
ON 1000 MILE ONE WAY TRIP THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND IT COULD CHECKED OUT FOR ANOTHER 100 MILES. THIS WAS NOT TOO DANGEROUS BUT MY WIFE IS 67 YEARS OLD, DOESN'T UNDERSTAND CAR ENGINES AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THEY STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED ME, TO ASK WHAT TO DO. FOR ANYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN STOPPE…
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ON 1000 MILE ONE WAY TRIP THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND IT COULD CHECKED OUT FOR ANOTHER 100 MILES. THIS WAS NOT TOO DANGEROUS BUT MY WIFE IS 67 YEARS OLD, DOESN'T UNDERSTAND CAR ENGINES AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THEY STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED ME, TO ASK WHAT TO DO. FOR ANYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NTSB HAS BEEN TOLD OF THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF SUBARU OUTBACK, LEGACY AND OTHER SUBARU MODELS USING A DEFECTIVE OIL RING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS PRESENTS SEVERAL DANGERS CONSIDERING ESPECIALLY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS COST THE REPAIRS WILL PROBABLY GO WITHOUT CORRECTION. THIS SITUATION COULD LEAD TO SEVERE LOSS OF COMPRESSION, POWER AND A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATION IS CRITICAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650111
Official recalls
12Jan 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.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Sep 13, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Sep 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
May 13, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQI-45.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
Consequence: If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQI-45.
Steering
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
Consequence: If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQI-45.
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 ↗
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