Subaru issues Legacy and Outback recalls due to faulty airbags

Camden, NJ – April 25, 2024 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 118,723 cars whose airbags may fail to deploy in a crash, upping the risk of an injury.

The affected models include: 

  • 2020 – 2022 Subaru Legacy
  • 2020 – 2022 Subaru Outback

The recall is being conducted on the back of hundreds of warranty claims.

Recall summary

Cars generally have a system of sensors called the Occupant Detection System (ODS) which only deploys airbags if there is a person in the seat during a crash. 

Due to a supplier error, the listed cars’ ODS may develop an electrical short due to moisture ingress. This may cause the system to malfunction and not deploy the front passenger airbag even if there is someone in the seat.

Recall risks

For the risks of this recall, please see this article about an Audi recall caused by a similar issue.

Warning signs

A malfunctioning sensor will trigger the supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light, as well as the “front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator” on the dashboard.

Other Subaru recalls

Some of these cars may have been affected by a recall in December 2023, caused by inoperable rearview cameras and backup lights.

In September of last year, there was a Subaru BRZ recall due to malfunctioning rear turn signals, as reported.

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the back of 253 warranty claims and 23 technical reports. No injuries have been reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the ODS sensors free of charge.

The parts are currently not in stock.

Owners will get a letter from the automaker once they become available.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Subaru airbag recall affects close to 120,000 cars. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru issues Legacy and Outback recalls due to faulty airbags

Subaru recalls Crosstrek, Forester cars over reduced rearview visibility  

Camden, NJ  – December 15, 2023 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 95,830 cars and SUVs whose reverse lights and rearview cameras may fail to engage. This ups the risk of a crash and injury while backing up. 

The following vehicles are affected by this recall:  

  • 2021 – 2023 Subaru Legacy 
  • 2021 – 2023 Subaru Outback
  • 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
  • 2022 Subaru Forester

Recall summary  

Shifting into reverse triggers a switch inside the gear mechanism, which tells the car to turn the reverse lights and the rearview camera on.

In the affected vehicles, due to a supplier error, the switch was not welded properly allowing water ingress into the mechanism.  If moisture gets inside the car, the camera and lights may not engage when the driver is backing up.

The component causing this recall is the switch-inhibitor with part number 31918AA120. 

Recall risks

The driver is more likely to hit something while backing up. This raises the risk of injury and property damage.

Warning signs 

A faulty switch may also cause the selected gear to not show up on the “transmission panel.” It may also result in the “inability to start the engine” and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) coming on on the dashboard.

Other Subaru recalls

Some of these Subaru Crosstrek SUVs may have been affected by a recall from March 2023, caused by the risk of stall.

In September, Subaru’s sporty BRZ coupes were recalled because their turn signals would not work, as reported. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the said switch with an upgraded one free of charge. 

Owners should receive letters with more information on or before January 8, 2024. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Nearly 100,000 cars are affected by this Subaru rearview camera recall. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls Crosstrek, Forester cars over reduced rearview visibility  

Subaru recalls cars over faulty rear turn signals    

Camden, NJ  – September 17, 2023 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 8,915 sports cars – including the 2022 Subaru BRZ and the 2022 Toyota GR8 – because of a problem with the rear turn signals which may result in a higher risk of an accident. 

Both models were made in partnership with Toyota, which owns a 20% stake in Subaru.

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, exposure to strong sunlight could cause less voltage to flow through the car, resulting in the rear turn signal being temporarily disabled.

Recall risks

The risks caused by a faulty turn signal are covered in this report about a similar recall by Toyota.  

Warning signs

If there is an issue with the signal, “the driver will notice rapid flashing of the dashboard turn signal indicator lamp,” according to the information provided by the manufacturer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Other Subaru recalls

In December 2022, Subaru recalled a number of 2019-2022 Ascent SUVs due to overheating electrical systems that led to a higher risk of fire

In March 2023, Subaru issued a recall for some 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid units over a charging problem with the cars’ 12-volt battery. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the rear lamp assemblies with ones containing an improved circuit. This will be done free of charge, and Subaru will reimburse owners who paid for repairs before the recall order was issued.

Owners will be notified by October 29, 2023.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Close to 9,000 vehicles are affected by this Subaru rear turn signal recall. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls cars over faulty rear turn signals    

Subaru recalls Crosstrek Hybrid over loss of power, crash risk

Camden, NJ – March 19, 2023 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) has issued a recall for 8,413 2019–2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid SUVs that may stall while driving due to an issue with the cars’ 12-volt battery,  which supplies electricity for a host of cars’ functions. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

Recall summary

Cars use onboard batteries to supply electricity for the vehicle’s various functions. Subaru’s hybrid powertrain includes a battery pack that powers the electric motor assisting the engine. This battery is charged by a harness terminal that delivers electricity from the onboard voltage converter. 

In the affected vehicles, due to faulty design, this terminal could corrode and eventually break. When this happens, the battery will no longer be charged.

Recall risks

If the battery cannot be recharged, the engine could lose the electric motor assist. This could lead to a stall, upping the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

If the harness breaks, a corresponding light will illuminate on the dashboard.

Other Subaru recalls

In August 2022, Subaru recalled 59,934 2015–2021 WRX sedans over “inoperative” rear lights and reverse camera, which could increase the risk of a crash.  

In December 2022, Subaru issued a recall for 271,694 2019–2022 Subaru Ascent SUVs on account of overheating of the vehicles’ electrical components, leading to an increased risk of fire.        

There have been no other recent Subaru Crosstrek recalls.

The repair

Dealers will replace the defective terminal mounting bracket with a new one. If no corrosion is found on the terminals of an affected vehicle, a protective rubber cap will be installed. Corroded terminals will involve replacing the entire 12-volt wiring harness with a new one.   

All repairs will be free of charge and Subaru will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by April 14, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 8,000 vehicles are affected by this Subaru battery harness recall. To see if your vehicle is among them, run a Subaru recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls Crosstrek Hybrid over loss of power, crash risk

2023 Subaru Solterra EV Wheels may Detach

February 10, 2023, Camden, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) issued a “do not drive” safety recall 2023 Subaru Solterra due to service performed by a negligent third-party contractor. Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners are advised NOT to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. The recall repair can be performed relatively quick as it only requires the replacement of original hub bolts, but repairs can only be performed by an official Subaru Dealer.

Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected. The 2023 Subaru Solterra was previously subject to a recall requiring replacement of original hub bolts in 2021. In a press release, Subaru said

We have identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors.

The recall affects an estimated 1182 vehicles serviced at certain port locations operated by a third-party contractor. Subaru did not name the contractor in their statement, but said

The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued bolts.

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is the first vehicle of this year to be flagged as a “DO NOT DRIVE” recall, a special status the NHTSA uses to indicate the vehicle is to risky to drive. Less than half of 1% of all recalls since NHTSA’s inception in 2012 have ever been given this status.

February 10, 2023, Camden, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) issued a “do not drive” safety recall 2023 Subaru Solterra due to service performed by a negligent third-party contractor. Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners are advised NOT to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. The recall repair can be performed relatively quick as it only requires the replacement of original hub bolts, but repairs can only be performed by an official Subaru Dealer.

Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected. The 2023 Subaru Solterra was previously subject to a recall requiring replacement of original hub bolts in 2021. In a press release, Subaru said

We have identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors.

The recall affects an estimated 1182 vehicles serviced at certain port locations operated by a third-party contractor. Subaru did not name the contractor in their statement, but said

The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued bolts.

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is the first vehicle of this year to be flagged as a “DO NOT DRIVE” recall, a special status the NHTSA uses to indicate the vehicle is to risky to drive. Less than half of 1% of all recalls since NHTSA’s inception in 2012 have ever been given this status.

February 10, 2023, Camden, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) issued a “do not drive” safety recall 2023 Subaru Solterra due to service performed by a negligent third-party contractor. Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners are advised NOT to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. The recall repair can be performed relatively quick as it only requires the replacement of original hub bolts, but repairs can only be performed by an official Subaru Dealer.

Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected. The 2023 Subaru Solterra was previously subject to a recall requiring replacement of original hub bolts in 2021. In a press release, Subaru said

We have identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors.

The recall affects an estimated 1182 vehicles serviced at certain port locations operated by a third-party contractor. Subaru did not name the contractor in their statement, but said

The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued bolts.

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is the first vehicle of this year to be flagged as a “DO NOT DRIVE” recall, a special status the NHTSA uses to indicate the vehicle is to risky to drive. Less than half of 1% of all recalls since NHTSA’s inception in 2012 have ever been given this status.

February 10, 2023, Camden, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) issued a “do not drive” safety recall 2023 Subaru Solterra due to service performed by a negligent third-party contractor. Improperly tightened hub bolts may loosen and cause the wheels to detach from the vehicle, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners are advised NOT to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. The recall repair can be performed relatively quick as it only requires the replacement of original hub bolts, but repairs can only be performed by an official Subaru Dealer.

Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected. The 2023 Subaru Solterra was previously subject to a recall requiring replacement of original hub bolts in 2021. In a press release, Subaru said

We have identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors.

The recall affects an estimated 1182 vehicles serviced at certain port locations operated by a third-party contractor. Subaru did not name the contractor in their statement, but said

The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued bolts.

The 2023 Subaru Solterra is the first vehicle of this year to be flagged as a “DO NOT DRIVE” recall, a special status the NHTSA uses to indicate the vehicle is to risky to drive. Less than half of 1% of all recalls since NHTSA’s inception in 2012 have ever been given this status.

James Douglas2023 Subaru Solterra EV Wheels may Detach

Subaru recalls cars over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures

Camden, NJ December 23, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling  271,694 of their 2019 – 2022 Subaru Ascent SUVs because their electrical components may overheat and melt. This may lead to a vehicle fire, increasing the risk of property damage, crash, and injury. 

The fire may occur even while the vehicle is turned off and parked. Owners are advised to park away from structures until the issue is addressed. The recall comes on the back of 11 fire-related complaints.

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with several heaters, including one inside the dashboard. The dashboard heater helps the engine warm up faster when it is cold out. Its grounding wire is bolted to the chassis with a screw. 

On affected SUVs, these screws might not have been tightened up sufficiently during assembly. This may generate excessive heat which may lead to the grounding wire’s terminal and surrounding components melting if the temperature is high enough. It may also lead to a fire.

The component causing this recall is the tapping screw, with part number 904580002

Recall risks

You can find out all about the risks caused by overheating electrics in this recent Hyundai recall

Warning signs 

The driver or passengers may notice a burning smell if the grounding wire starts to melt. In addition, there might be smoke coming from underneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. 

Safety tips 

If you notice these warning signs, pull over at the first safe spot, turn off the ignition and leave the vehicle with all your passengers.

Keep in mind that your car may still catch fire even when it is not running. This is why you should park it away from structures and other vehicles until the repair is done. 

Other Subaru recalls

Apart from these Subaru electrical issues, the manufacturer recalled nearly 200,000 of their popular Impreza cars because of defective headlights in August 2022

Among previous Subaru Ascent recalls, the one caused by malfunctioning transmission, which took place in January 2022, is the latest

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by installing a new grounding-wire screw. In addition, as a precaution, they will inspect the grounding wire and replace it if needed. The repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on February 6, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Subaru ground terminal recall affects almost a quarter of a million SUVs. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls cars over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures

Subaru recalls Impreza vehicles over defective headlamps

Camden, NJ – August 28, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is issuing a recall for 188,397 Impreza vehicles over a problem with the headlamps, which can potentially increase the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following sedans and station wagons: 

  • 2017 Subaru Impreza
  • 2018 Subaru Impreza
  • 2019 Subaru Impreza

Recall summary

Vehicle headlamps use reflectors to direct the light beam generated by the bulb towards the road, allowing the driver to see ahead while traveling.

In the affected vehicles, due to issues during the manufacturing process, the lamps do not properly reflect the light, resulting in decreased visibility or glare.

The component involved in this recall is the lamp assembly head with part numbers 84001FL01A and 84001FL00A. 

Recall risks

Reduced visibility or glare created by the wrong angle of reflection creates an increased risk of a crash.

Other Subaru recalls 

In January 2022, Subaru announced a recall for 198,255 vehicles over a transmission malfunction, which could increase the risk of crash and injury. The recall includes the Ascent, as well as 2020 releases of the Legacy and Outback vehicles. 

There was a Subaru Impreza recall in May 2021 over the risk of stalling.  The recall also included Crosstrek vehicles, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the left and right front headlamp assemblies with new parts free of charge. Subaru will reimburse owners who paid repairs on their own prior to the recall announcement.

Affected owners will be notified on or around October 11, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 188,000 vehicles are included in this Subaru Impreza reflectors’ recall. To run a Subaru recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls Impreza vehicles over defective headlamps

Subaru recalls WRX cars over faulty rear lights, rearview camera issue

Camden, NJ – August 7, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) has issued a recall for 59,934 2015-2021 WRX sedans over “inoperative” rear lights and reverse camera. This increases the risk of a crash.

Recall summary

The backup light switch is responsible for activating the reverse lights on a car. Shifting the transmission to Reverse gear allows the switch to activate the rear lights and also engages the rearview camera.

On the affected vehicles, the backup light switch is exposed to heated oil. The sulfur in the oil can corrode the electrical contacts of the switch, and they will not be as efficient in conducting electricity. Eventually, this will cause the backup light switch to stop working.     

The cause of the defect is not clear but was replicated in tests conducted by the manufacturer under “excessive or abusive driving conditions.”

Recall risks

Read more about the risks of this defect in our recent article about a similar rearview camera recall issued by Dodge. 

Warning signs

When the backup light switch has failed, drivers will notice that the “R” symbol will not appear on the dashboard when reverse gear is engaged. 

Other Subaru recalls 

In January 2022, the company issued a recall for 198,255 Ascent and Outback SUVs due to a malfunctioning transmission.

In May 2021, Subaru recalled 446,205 Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over a problem with the engine control module or ECM. A programming failure on the component can lead to the engine stalling while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Repair

Dealers will inspect and replace the faulty backup light switch with a new one. The repairs will be done free of charge, and Subaru will reimburse customers who availed of the remedy before the recall was announced.  

Affected owners will have been notified by September 19, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 59,000 vehicles are included in this WRX recall. To see if your vehicle is affected by this electrical issue, run a Subaru recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls WRX cars over faulty rear lights, rearview camera issue

Subaru recalls Ascent, Outback SUVs over loss of transmission

Camden, NJ – January 2, 2022  – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 198,255 vehicles whose transmission may malfunction, which increases the risk of a crash and injury. This recall supersedes and expands the one conducted for the same issue in 2019 and affects the following vehicles:

  • 2019 Subaru Ascent  
  • 2020 Subaru Ascent
  • 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • 2020 Subaru Outback

Recall summary  

Affected vehicles have automatic transmission that operates using hydraulic pressure. Upon startup, it takes a brief moment before this pressure is sufficient to move the vehicle. 

Although this only takes a second or two, due to a software issue, the clutch of the affected vehicles may engage before adequate pressure within the transmission is achieved. This may result in the drive chain – which transfers power to the wheels – slipping and the driver not being able to use the gear selector. 

In the long-term, the drive chain may break, which could cause the vehicle to stall while driving.

The component in question is the Transmission Control Unit, or TCU, with multiple part numbers including  30919AG75A and 30919AH14D. 

Recall risks

If the transmission malfunctions in traffic, the vehicle will lose its ability to move. That may increase the risk of a crash or injury, especially if it happens in dense traffic. 

Several complaints associated with this recall mention the car “lurching forward and then back,” sometimes on a multi-lane highway. Another driver describes a harrowing experience of “losing power twice going up the steep hill” and “narrowly avoiding a collision due to slippery road.”

Other Subaru recalls 

In addition to this one, there was a recent Subaru Outback recall in August, caused by a possibility of an engine stall. The culprit was a faulty fuel pump.

Background of the recall

Over 75,000 2019 Subaru Ascent SUVs that are part of this recall were previously recalled for the same issue in December 2019. As of July 22, 2021 – the last date for which information is available – most of them have been repaired. However, according to the manufacturer, they will need to have the new remedy applied to be safe on the road. See information about the remedy further in this article and use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to see if your Subaru is affected.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by updating the TCU software. Additionally, they will conduct appropriate inspections to determine if the transmission has sustained any damage, and replace it if needed. The remedy is expected to be available in April 2022. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners by mail on February 7, 2022, and owners who repaired the transmission on their own dime may be eligible for reimbursement.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Subaru Recall 2021 includes almost 200,000 vehicles. To check if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls Ascent, Outback SUVs over loss of transmission

Subaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall

Camden, NJ – August 28, 2021  – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 165,026 vehicles in which the engine may stall while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. This recall includes the following models, some of which were developed in partnership with Toyota, which owns a minority stake in the company:

  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Outback
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru BRZ
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Impreza 
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru WRX
  • 2019 – 2020 Subaru Ascent
  • 2018 – 2019 Toyota 86 2-Door
  • 2018 Subaru Forester

The affected component is the fuel pump, with different part numbers, including 42022CA000 and 42022FL02A.

Recall summary  

These cars are equipped with an impeller, which is a rotating plastic disk that draws fuel from the tank and directs it to the fuel pump. Due to what appears to be a supplier error, the impeller does not have enough density,  which makes it prone to cracking or becoming deformed. This may cause the fuel pump to stop working and result in the engine stalling, which may cause a crash.

Warning signs 

The ‘check engine’ or malfunction indicator light (MIL) may appear on the dashboard and the engine may run rough. Other potential symptoms include various engine running issues, ranging from sluggish performance to hesitation during accelerations.  To learn more, please refer to this article about a recent Nissan recall for the same issue.

Risks

A vehicle that stalls while driving may lead to situations that are potentially dangerous to both its occupants and other motorists. This is especially true if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic conditions.

Other Subaru recalls

A year ago, there was a similar Subaru Impreza recall caused by the same fuel pump issue. The recall also included Ascent, Legacy and Outback vehicles. The last 2020 Subaru Outback recall occurred in December 2020, also due to glitchy rear view cameras, as reported.

The last 2018 Subaru BRZ recall occurred in late 2018 when these cars were among roughly 70,000 units that had to be repaired due to faulty rear view cameras. The 2019 Subaru BRZ has not been subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To solve the problem, Subaru authorized dealers will replace the fuel pump inside the tank that includes an impeller with a higher density at no charge. Owners will be notified beginning September 13, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Subaru fuel pump recall includes more than 160,000 vehicles. To check for this and other Subaru recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall