NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
296 reports5,442 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS SINCE BUYING NEW OUTBACK IN APRIL 2013. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR REVVED UP AND LUNGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. NOW I FEEL THAT I CANNOT TRUST THE CAR WH…
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I HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS SINCE BUYING NEW OUTBACK IN APRIL 2013. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR REVVED UP AND LUNGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. NOW I FEEL THAT I CANNOT TRUST THE CAR WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP. I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER ABOUT THIS 2ND INCIDENT, SINCE AFTER 1ST TIME THEY TESTED AND SAID "CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM"...... HOWEVER, AFTER READING ANOTHER COMPLAINT IT COULD BE A MALFUNCTION BETWEEN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NEW CVT TRANSMISSION!!! ALSO, SOMETIMES I FEEL THE CAR IS MAINTAINING A SPEED WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATION (LIKE ON CRUISE CONTROL). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546136
3,200 miles · Sep 24, 2013
SteeringInjury
2013 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R W/SAP I AM EXPERIENCING A HEAVY STEERING ISSUE. WHERE THE RETURN TO CENTER DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS I MANUALLY STEER IT BACK TO CENTER. STEERING IS SO HEAVY THAT AFTER 3000 MILES. (PURCHASED IN JUNE 2013), BOTH OF MY WRISTS ARE IN PAIN, MY RIGHT ELBOW IS IN PAIN, AND MY RIGHT HAND FEELS LIKE IT HAS CARPAL…
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2013 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R W/SAP I AM EXPERIENCING A HEAVY STEERING ISSUE. WHERE THE RETURN TO CENTER DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS I MANUALLY STEER IT BACK TO CENTER. STEERING IS SO HEAVY THAT AFTER 3000 MILES. (PURCHASED IN JUNE 2013), BOTH OF MY WRISTS ARE IN PAIN, MY RIGHT ELBOW IS IN PAIN, AND MY RIGHT HAND FEELS LIKE IT HAS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. CONSTANT CORRECTIONS ARE NEEDED TO KEEP TRACKING STRAIGHT. I INCREASED TIRE PSI TO 34/32, AND IT HELPED A LITTLE, BUT STEERING STILL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER. HERE ARE 2 LINKS TO SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/104-GEN-4-2010-PRESENT/73034-NEED-RETURN-CENTER-TEST-2013-OUTBACK.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/104-GEN-4-2010-PRESENT/31638-OB-LANE-WANDERING.HTML *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545155
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. WHEN DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER LETTING THE ACCELERATOR UP AND SLOWING DOWN T…
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2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. WHEN DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER LETTING THE ACCELERATOR UP AND SLOWING DOWN TO IDLE SPEED, THE PEDAL WAS THEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN STALL. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER TRIED TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AWAY, BY SAYING THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NEW TRANSMISSION HAD TO WORK TOGETHER IN TANDEM AND THAT SOME DELAY WAS NORMAL. UPDATED 10/17/13 UPDATED 10/30/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE STALLING OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED WHILE COASTING AT IDLE. IT HAPPENED FOR ONE TO TWO SECONDS ALMOST EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/25/14
NHTSA ODI #10544747
3,000 miles · Sep 15, 2013
Seats
THERE IS NO SPECIFIC DATE NOR WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. DUE TO THE NEW DESIGN OF SEATS AND HEAD RESTRAINT I AM NOW IN PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC HEAD AND NECK PAIN. STARTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT MY NEW CAR. HAD DOCTOR APPT, HEAD SCAN AND NOW PHYSICAL THERAPY. I BELIEVE THE SCOOPED SE…
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THERE IS NO SPECIFIC DATE NOR WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. DUE TO THE NEW DESIGN OF SEATS AND HEAD RESTRAINT I AM NOW IN PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC HEAD AND NECK PAIN. STARTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT MY NEW CAR. HAD DOCTOR APPT, HEAD SCAN AND NOW PHYSICAL THERAPY. I BELIEVE THE SCOOPED SEATS DO NOT ALLOW FOR AN IMPERFECT SHAPE. MY RIGHT LEG IS NOW LEGGED AND I SIT AT A TURN I. THE SEAT WHICH PUTS A LOT OF STRAIN ON MY SPINE IN THE OVER SHAPED SEAT. MOSTLY THE NEW HEAD RESTRAINT IN RELATION TO THE SHOULDER POSITION OF THE SEAT PUTS A LOT OF STRAIN ON MY NECK. I AM TAKING IBUPROFEN EVERYDAY AND THE PAIN IS A REAL DISTRACTION TO MY WORK AND DAILY LIFE. I PROVIDE ANESTHESIA FULL TIME AND NEED TO BE AT MY BEST FOR THIS LINE OF WORK RATHER THAN IN PHYSICAL THERAPY. THIS ALSO COSTS MONEY AND TAKES AWAY FROM ENJOYING MY LIFE. FOR A FEW MONTHS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AN OLDER CAR 80% OF THE TIME AND FOUND THE ACHING WENT AWAY. I ONLY DRIVE LESS THAN TEN MINUTES TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543650
6,000 miles · Sep 4, 2013
TiresWheels
YOUR MANDATE FOR THE USE OF TPMS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT GOOD INTENTIONS RESULTING IN LITTLE BENEFIT AND UNNECESSARY COST TO CONSUMERS. I WANT TO RUN WINTER TIRES ON OUR SUBARU AND PLANNED TO PURCHASE THE TIRES ON WHEELS EQUIPPED WITH TPMS SENSORS. HOWEVER, THE ONLY WAY TO RE-SET THE SENSORS IS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE …
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YOUR MANDATE FOR THE USE OF TPMS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT GOOD INTENTIONS RESULTING IN LITTLE BENEFIT AND UNNECESSARY COST TO CONSUMERS. I WANT TO RUN WINTER TIRES ON OUR SUBARU AND PLANNED TO PURCHASE THE TIRES ON WHEELS EQUIPPED WITH TPMS SENSORS. HOWEVER, THE ONLY WAY TO RE-SET THE SENSORS IS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND PAY $90 IN THE FALL WHEN THE WINTER SET GOES ON AND TO PAY ANOTHER $90 IN THE SPRING WHEN THE ALL-SEASON TIRE GO BACK ON THE CAR. THE WINTER TIRES ARE EXPECTED TO ADD A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN OF SAFETY IN SNOW/ICE CONDITIONS. THE ANNUAL COST OF RE-SETTING THE TPMS SENSOR WILL LIKELY KEEP ME FROM RUNNING WINTER TIRES. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A TPMS SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE EASILY RE-SET BY THE VEHICLE OWNER? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10541955
100 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Steering
STEERING ISSUE. THE CAR WANDERS, LEFT AND RIGHT. AT FREEWAY SPEED YOU MUST HOLD ON WITH BOTH HANDS AND MAKE CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT EVERYTHING IN THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION WAS TIGHT, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR NOW WITH NO CHANGE, EXCEPT I'VE LEARNED HOW TO CONT…
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STEERING ISSUE. THE CAR WANDERS, LEFT AND RIGHT. AT FREEWAY SPEED YOU MUST HOLD ON WITH BOTH HANDS AND MAKE CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT EVERYTHING IN THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION WAS TIGHT, BUT THIS DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR NOW WITH NO CHANGE, EXCEPT I'VE LEARNED HOW TO CONTROL IT BETTER. I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND GAVE THESE TO THE DEALER. THEY DID NOT SEEM TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE JUST TWICE, AND HAVE HAD THEM LOOK AT THE ISSUE BOTH TIMES. I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX WHATEVER THE UNDERLYING ISSUE IS. THIS IS MY SECOND OUTBACK (PREVIOUS WAS A 2005) AND MY THIRD SUBARU (I ALSO HAVE A 2009 IMPREZA). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537021
1,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Steering
VEHICLE TRACKING ISSUES SAME OR SIMILAR TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AT SPEEDS OF 40-70 MPH REQUIRING CONSTANT CORRECTION. IT SOMETIMES SEEMS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT (ONLY SLIGHTLY) THAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET IT TO CORRECT AT FIRST BUT THEN GOES QUICKLY AND EASILY. …
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VEHICLE TRACKING ISSUES SAME OR SIMILAR TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WANDERS FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AT SPEEDS OF 40-70 MPH REQUIRING CONSTANT CORRECTION. IT SOMETIMES SEEMS THAT IT TAKES MORE EFFORT (ONLY SLIGHTLY) THAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET IT TO CORRECT AT FIRST BUT THEN GOES QUICKLY AND EASILY. I NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS BEEN THE SAME EVER SINCE, 10 MONTHS LATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532722
40 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts
WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT BE TURNED ON. MY WIFE IS ROUGHLY 5'2" AND 120 LBS. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT THAT THE SENSORS CAN BE OVERLY SENSITIVE WITH SMALLER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF IT IS O…
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WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT BE TURNED ON. MY WIFE IS ROUGHLY 5'2" AND 120 LBS. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT THAT THE SENSORS CAN BE OVERLY SENSITIVE WITH SMALLER PEOPLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF IT IS OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532614
92 miles · Jul 17, 2013
SteeringSuspension
THE STEERING OF MY NEW SUBARU OUTBACK SEEMS TO WANDER ON THE ROAD. IT IS A CHALLENGE TO KEEP THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE BETWEEN THE LINES OR IN A PARTICULAR LANE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WANDERS / DRIFTS TO LEFT AND / OR RIGHT, WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AND DOES THIS WHEN EVER DRIVING BUT IS MORE NOTICEABLE ABOVE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. THE …
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THE STEERING OF MY NEW SUBARU OUTBACK SEEMS TO WANDER ON THE ROAD. IT IS A CHALLENGE TO KEEP THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE BETWEEN THE LINES OR IN A PARTICULAR LANE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WANDERS / DRIFTS TO LEFT AND / OR RIGHT, WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AND DOES THIS WHEN EVER DRIVING BUT IS MORE NOTICEABLE ABOVE SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. THE DRIVER HAS TO MAKE CONSTANT CORRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT, THIS CAUSES FATIGUE IN THE ARMS AND IS EXHAUSTING TO THE OPERATOR. ONE CAN NOT SAFELY OPERATE A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER RIG WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY LANE (WE WERE IN THE NUMBER 1 LANE OF THE HIGHWAY) AND MY OUTBACK WANDERED TO THE RIGHT, WE ALMOST WENT INTO / UNDER THE TRAILER OF THE "BIG RIG". I LATER I CONTACTED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND ARRAIGNED TO BRING VEHICLE BACK TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. WHEN I RETURNED WITH THE VEHICLE, THEY CHECKED ALIGNMENT AND SAID IT WAS OK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO WANDER WHENEVER I DRIVE IT AND DAILY WHILE I DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. AGAIN, I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA, RECEIVING DIFFERENT SPECS AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DOING SOME WORK ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE, NEW OR OLD (USED) THAT HANDLED THIS WAY. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS WITH PAGES OF INFORMATION, DATA AND COMPLAINTS BY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. PLEASE ACT NOW TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE'S LOOSES THEIR LIFE DUE TO THE UNSAFE FAULTY VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525285
2,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Suspension
THE SUBARU CANNOT HOLD THE ROAD AND VEERS WITHIN THE LANE ALMOST CREATING ACCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR AND AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS HYPO…
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THE SUBARU CANNOT HOLD THE ROAD AND VEERS WITHIN THE LANE ALMOST CREATING ACCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR AND AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS HYPOTHESIZED TO BE DUE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. SUBARU WAS NOTIFIED BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW, BUT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I PERSONALLY NOTIFIED SUBARU AND FILED A COMPLAINT, BUT ONCE AGAIN THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM. THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND ITS CONSTANT WANDERING MOTION IS IMMINENT FOR AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ACTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523029
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 ↗