Subaru recalls Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over risk of stalling

Camden, NJ – Feb 18, 2022 – Subaru has remedied issues with 359,708 vehicles including the 2018 Subaru Impreza and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek dealing with a programming failure on the engine control module or ECM. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 4,424 have been removed from the recall. All these Subaru models with ECM software issues were remedied between the second and fourth quarter of 2021.

Camden, NJ – May 11,  2021Subaru (OTCMKTS: FUJHY) has recalled 466,205 vehicles with an incorrectly programmed Engine Control Module (ECM), which is a component that controls over 100 elements in these cars. The issue may cause the car to stall, potentially leading to an accident.

The Subaru ECM Recall includes the following vehicles:

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

The defective part of the vehicle is the ignition coil,  part number 22433AA741.

Recall summary  

Ignition coils are part of the car ignition system and convert the voltage of the car battery into energy needed to start the car. Due to faulty programming, the ECM is going to continue “instructing” the coils to do their job even after the engine is off. This may result in the coils short-circuiting. If this occurs when the car is in motion, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

This recall follows on the heels of a 2019 recall of the same cars for the same exact issue. It is being conducted again as Subaru discovered that the ECM reprogramming that was done last time was not sufficient to fully remedy the issue.

Safety risks

Stalling while driving may lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. Stalled cars are very dangerous and kill over 300 people a year on average, as reported. For tips on what to do if your car stalls while you’re driving it, please see this recent Kia article

Warning signsSubaru recall

During the motion of the vehicle, when the occupants feel “irregular vibration.” This may mean that the vehicle is about to lose power.

Other similar recalls

In October of 2019, nearly half a million Subarus were recalled due to a stalling risk.  Subaru of America recalled Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles – whose model years stretch from 2017 to 2019 – that may have faulty engine control modules. Specifically, despite the engine being turned off, the ECM may continue to run, a circumstance that has the potential to cause a short circuit or a blown fuse. This could lead to an accident if either of these outcomes takes place while motorists are traveling.

The repair

Dealers will rectify the flaws in the programming of the ECM and will replace ignition coils and – in some cases – the front exhaust pipes as well. This will be carried out free of charge. The recall began on April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 465,000 vehicles are being included in this Subaru recall To do a Subaru recall check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Suhas RamachandraSubaru recalls Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over risk of stalling

Subaru recalls 2020 Legacy and Outback cars for back-up camera glitch

Camden, NJ – Mar 20, 2022 – Subaru has remedied issues with 7,217 vehicles including the  2020 Subaru Outback and 2020 Subaru Legacy dealing with a software failure that may cause the rearview camera to shut down. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and only two have been removed from the recall. All these Subaru models with backup camera issues were remedied in three groups during 2021.

Camden, NJ – December 29,  2020 – Subaru (OTCMKTS: FUJHY) has recalled 7,741 vehicles with a software issue that shuts off the backup camera display. The recall includes the 2020 Subaru Legacy mid-size vehicles and the 2020 Subaru Outback SUVs.

The affected component is the Cockpit Control Module (CCM) with part numbers 86201AN65A and 86271AN60A. The CCM includes the backup camera.

Recall summary  

These 2020 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles could lose their backup camera displays while in reverse due to a glitch that causes the computer to reboot every three minutes. 

The problem originated during a remote software update Subaru streamed to vehicles in August.  The installation process timed out and the data that was being transmitted was not transferred to the recalled vehicles. As a result, the CCM may repeatedly reboot, disabling the camera display for six seconds. 

Risks

No accidents or injuries relating to this issue have been reported, but, if rear view cameras are not functioning properly, there is a risk that drivers could run over or crash into people and objects behind them. 

To read about the Cameron Gulbransen Safety Act, which made backup cameras standard on all vehicles starting in 2018, and back-up crashes statistics,  please head to an article about a recent Ford recall due to the same issue.

The repair

Subaru dealers will reprogram vehicles affected by the recall. If a car’s backup camera display is not working, the dealer will replace the CCM with a new one. Owners will be notified by mail starting January 22.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 7,700 vehicles are included in this 2020 Subaru recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandSubaru recalls 2020 Legacy and Outback cars for back-up camera glitch

Subaru recall targets faulty fuel pumps due to crash risk

Laguna Hills, CA – April 30, 2020 – An issue with a low-pressure fuel pump is causing some Subaru Outback, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy models to stall and not restart or run roughly. That might lead to an accident, Subaru recalls say.

Deformed Impeller Prompts Recall

  • 2019 Subaru Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback cars and SUVs
  • Low pressure fuel pump might stop working.
  • 188,207 vehicles in the U.S. are recalled

A bad impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump could become deformed over time, the NHTSA recall notice says. The deformation could cause the impeller to jam inside the low-pressure fuel pump and disable it. If that happens, the “check engine” warning light or the “malfunction indicator” light on the dash might signal a problem. The Subaru also might run roughly if it does not stall. Restarts might become impossible, which increases the risk of a crash, Subaru of America says.

Subaru Specifies Recalled Models

The fuel pump recall does not apply to every car listed above. Subaru says it only applies to the following models when respective owners confirm it in advance. Doing so requires using the “Vehicle Coverage Inquiry” link at Subarunet.com. The number of Subaru recalls in the U.S. and their respective build dates are:

  • 40,950 Ascent SUVs built from June 26, 2018, through Jan. 18, 2019
  • 40,797 Impreza cars built from June 18, 2018, through Feb. 25, 2019
  • 20,198 Subaru Legacy cars built from June 29, 2018, through Feb. 19, 2019
  • 86,278 Subaru Outback cars built from June 29, 2018, through Feb. 19, 2019

Subaru says a limited supply of replacement fuel pumps will arrive soon to support the recall. Additional models are recalled in Canada, which pushes the total number recalled to more than 200,000 in North America.

New Fuel Pump Fixes the Problem

Subaru says the replacement fuel pumps will arrive soon in limited quantities. Once the replacement parts start arriving, Subaru will replace the faulty fuel pump with a new one after respective owners confirm the service online. It expects to start replacing the faulty Subaru fuel pumps on June 5. The matter has not caused any reported accidents or injuries, Subaru says.

More Stalling Problems for Subaru

Subaru fuel pump problem is the latest to cause stalling problems in recently built Subaru vehicles. Recent Subaru safety issues due to stalling include an October 2019 recall that addressed faulty engine control modules in up to 500,000 Impreza and Crosstrek made from 2017 to 2019. The carmaker also recently recalled certain 2019 Crosstrek, Ascent, and Forester SUVs due to a stalling problem. A faulty PCV valve could separate and cause motor oil and valve pieces to enter the engine.

Does This Recall Affect You?

To determine whether the Subaru fuel pump problem affects your vehicle, it is not enough to just know the make, model and year. The way to be completely sure is to look up your vehicle ID number (VIN) on our free lookup tool, and if there are any open recalls on your vehicle you will be able to connect with dealers who can repair the problem at no cost to you.

Joe GlaserSubaru recall targets faulty fuel pumps due to crash risk

Subaru Recalls Certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles 

Laguna Hills, CA – Dec. 12, 2019 – Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The issue involves the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve; the valve is at risk of separating, which causes motor oil and parts of the valve itself to flood the engine, resulting in a loss of power for the vehicle, which can occur while driving.

The potential number of units affected is estimated at 51,613.

The Defect

Subaru believes that certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester and Ascent vehicles possess this defect with the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. Due to a manufacturing error, these PCV valves are defective. While the vehicle is being operated, the PCV valve can separate, allowing motor oil into the combustion chamber that can prevent the engine from functioning. In addition, pieces of the PCV valve can make their way into the combustion chamber as well, damaging engine components and preventing the proper filtering of gases from the crankcase.

Timeline of Events

On December 2, 2019, Subaru of America discovered a defect in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve on the aforementioned vehicles. Later, on December 11, they released a recall notice notifying owners of the issue. Vehicles likely to be affected by this defect were identified by manufacturing and production records. Retailers have been sent notifications to identify and stop the sale of possibly affected vehicles in their inventory until a remedy becomes available. Official instructions state that the recall is expected to begin January 24, 2020, with instructions on the repair and remedy process having already been sent to retailers.

The Solution

Plans for the removal process of the defective PCV valves have not been finalized for consumers. Subaru recommends that owners do not operate their vehicles. Owners will be notified when repair and removal services become available for this specific issue. Dealers will review and train in the provided remedy procedures, and inspect any vehicles brought in under suspicion of possessing the defective valves. If a Subaru vehicle is found to possess this defect, it will be repaired. When the recall starts for already sold vehicles, vehicle owners will receive these repairs free of charge. Replacement and repair of these devices should only be undertaken by professional repairmen.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesSubaru Recalls Certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles 

Another Recall Ordered For Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek Vehicles

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 29, 2019 – Approximately 205,000 hatchbacks and SUVs distributed and manufactured by Subaru of America are due to be recalled over concerns that the engine may power off as a result of a faulty PCV valve. The vehicles in question, Impreza and Crosstrek, are also subject to a separate recall related to potentially damaged electronic control modules.

This particular Impreza and Crosstrek recall is scheduled to occur Dec. 13, which is the day Subaru expects to distribute notifications to owners informing of this engine cooling issue. Those who receive the communiques should bring their automobile to an area Subaru dealer so a repair can be arranged. There will be no charge for the fix, if one is needed.

The Defect

In paperwork submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Subaru is getting ready to recall 205,000 Imprezas and Crosstrek vehicles – model years 2017 through 2019 and 2018, respectively – after discovering the positive crank ventilation valve may be compromised in certain automobiles. Made from aluminum, the PCV valve may crack and cause the components within it to fall into the engine itself. Such a scenario could prevent the engine from functioning and lead to a crash should the engine turn off or cause the automobile to stall.

Timeline of Events

NHTSA maintains a portal that consumers can use to see when recall takes place and the events that led up to actions requiring correspondence with government traffic safety officials. Among the documents typically made available is what is known as a Product 573 Safety Recall Report. It chronicles recall-specific investigations on a month-to-month basis and also describes the proposed remedy to rectify the safety issues in question. However, this report was not made available at press time.

Several Product 573 Recall Reports have been revealed by NHTSA in 2019 overall, and for Subaru in particular. One stemmed from faulty brake pedal mounting brackets that Subaru became aware of over the summer and another for defective driveshafts. The driveshaft problem first came to Subaru’s attention in June and the voluntary recall became official less than a month later.

The Solution

As to the Impreza and Crosstrek recall, Subaru says it’s aiming to inform all the parties for whom this safety risk applies beginning Dec. 13. In the mailers set to be distributed, owners will be asked to bring their automobiles to a dealership so a repair order can get underway, assuming the PCV valve is damaged. This can only be determined by bringing the car in for inspection. If a problem is found, the PCV valve will be replaced free of charge.

It’s very possible that you’re driving a car that may be subject to a recall. Find out for sure by entering your VIN at MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesAnother Recall Ordered For Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek Vehicles

Nearly a Half-Million Subarus Recalled Due to Stall Risk

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 25, 2019 – A massive recall is about to get underway for Subaru of America, after the automaker discovered certain Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles – whose model years stretch from 2017 to 2019 – may have faulty engine control modules. Specifically, despite the engine being turned off, the ECM may continue to run, a circumstance that has the potential to cause a short circuit or blown fuse. This could lead to an accident if either of these outcomes take place while motorists are traveling.

The automaker expects to inform registered car owners of this 2017-2019 Subaru recall by Dec. 13. Recipients are encouraged to then bring their vehicles to their local dealership so diagnostic test can be performed. This will determine whether the ignition coil requires replacing or if some other modification. Whatever is deemed necessary, there will be no charge for parts or labor.

The Defect

Approximately 466,205 Crosstrek SUVs and Impreza hatchbacks are due to be recalled by Subaru, according to documents prepared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It appears that the engine control module, which manipulates the actuators controlling the internal combustion engine, fails to power down when the engine is shut off. Left unchecked could result in a blown fuse or short circuit of the engine. Either scenario dramatically increases the risk of the automobile stalling and the possibility that the operator encounters an accident.

Timeline of Events

Typically when safety recalls are ordered, the NHTSA produces what is known as a Part 573 Safety Recall Report. This document details the various elements of an automotive recall, including a chronology of how a performance or safety issue came to light and what led the automaker to make the decision that it did regarding the recall. These particulars were not available in the NHTSA’s portal at the time of publication.

Subaru prides itself on its safety record and is a perennial favorite to receive recognition for building some of the safest automobiles on the road from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute and Kelley Blue Book. In fact, last year, the Camden, New Jersey-headquartered nameplate landed seven models on IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ list, two of which were the Crosstrek and Impreza, specifically the sedan and 5-door option. Others that received the highly coveted honorific  included the Subaru Outback, WRX, Ascent and Legacy.

In order to be included among IIHS Top Safety Pick+ selections, vehicles must undergo a battery of tests that analyze how well they hold up in the event of a crash at a high rate of speed, including front, side, rollover and how well the head restraints prevent passengers from experiencing a head or neck injury. Vehicles must received a “good” rating for these tests. Headlights must also receive a “good” rating, while the front crash prevention test must elicit a “superior” or “advanced” score.

“Each year we continue to improve and innovate the safety features in our vehicles for our customers, said Thomas Doll, CEO and president at Subaru of America, in a press release. “For the Subaru brand to lead the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards with seven winners reflects our commitment to making safety the top priority in our vehicles.”

The Solution

The recall is anticipated to begin officially on Dec. 13, the first day in which Subaru plans to distribute mailers to owners of the models in question. Recipients are urged to bring their vehicles to an area Subaru supplier so the ECM can be inspected and the engine coil replaced or modified. Some of these automobiles may also need to have their front exhaust pipes swapped assuming ignition coil damage is confirmed.

For more information on the 2017-2019 Subaru recall as well as any others announced within the last few months, please visit MotorSafety.org to get the details.

Sean ReyesNearly a Half-Million Subarus Recalled Due to Stall Risk

Subaru Recalls Forester Vehicles Due to Air Bag Risk

Laguna Hills, CA – Oct. 14, 2019 – Subaru of America has announced the recall of more than 366,000 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats, due to a defect that could potentially deactivate the front passenger air bag.

An indicator acknowledging the loss of the air bag’s function will illuminate if deactivation occurs, so hopefully drivers will be fully aware if their vehicle is affected. However, the problem still brings with it an increased possibility of injury for the individual in the passenger seat, thus necessitating the field action.

The Defect

Documents describing the defect note that it applies to certain 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles, and is caused by electrical issues.

“Over time, due to a decrease in contact pressure between terminals in the occupant detection system (ODS) sensor mat harness, a temporarily unstable electrical connection may be possible,” Subaru’s safety recall report describing the defect pointed out. “If the connection is temporarily unstable, the ODS may not properly determine the status of a front right seat occupant.”

Because the sensor cannot ascertain whether or not the front right seat is occupied, it may fail to activate the air bag.

Timeline of Events

Subaru’s own chronology report regarding the defect goes back more than three years, as the issue first surfaced in April 2016. At that time, the manufacturer received its first field report related to the ODS sensor issue, which described the condition as it affected a 2016 Forester vehicle. Further reports of the same issue continued to find their way to the automaker throughout much of 2017, although no root cause could be determined by either Subaru or its supplier.

By September 2018, it had ultimately been determined that “other factors could cause connection instability, such as harness connectors and/or harness routing,” which led to a crucial update of the manufacturing process. Roughly one year later, Subaru finally concluded that the root cause of the failure was the unstable electrical connection described above.

The manufacturer was able to decide the scope of the recall by comparing vehicle production information, results of their own investigation, and field reports describing specific vehicles that contained the defect. Of the 366,282 vehicles currently reported to be included within the recall, Subaru estimates that roughly 10% of them contain the defect.

The Solution

“Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge,” stated an official letter that Subaru filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Dealers have already been notified of the field action, and owners of vehicles affected by the recall will themselves be fully informed by the end of November. However, the parts being used for the repair are not currently available, so owners will be contacted once again, at a later date, when they can actually bring their vehicle in for the remedy to be implemented at no cost.

For information on other vehicle recalls involving Subaru and other major automobile manufacturers, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesSubaru Recalls Forester Vehicles Due to Air Bag Risk

2020 Legacy and Outback Vehicles Recalled For Brake Pedal Mounting Bracket

Laguna Hills, CA – Sep. 29, 2019 – Subaru of America has announced the recall of certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles in order to inspect and potentially repair the brake pedal mounting bracket.

The brake pedal mounting bracket in the affected vehicles, most of which were produced in August 2019, may not contain all the bolts required to function properly, or may feature a bolt that was insufficiently tightened. As a result, the mounting area for the brake pedal may deform, which could reduce braking performance and thus increase the risk of a crash.

The Defect

In the Legacy and Outback vehicles involved in the recall, the brake pedal mounting bracket may include an insufficiently tightened or outright missing bolt.

“Over time, if a brake pedal mounting bracket has an insufficiently tightened or missing bolt/nit, the brake pedal mounting area may deform,” stated the safety recall report that Subaru filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make a formal note of the issue. “Deformation of the brake pedal mounting area could reduce braking performance, increasing the risk of the crash.”

The recall population includes 2,862 Outback vehicles, and 605 Legacy vehicles, according to the same report. Subaru estimates that one percent of those vehicles contain the defect.

Timeline of Events

According to the chronology included in Subaru’s safety recall report, knowledge of the potential for the defect came to light on Aug. 29, 2019, when an associate discovered an insufficiently tightened bolt on a vehicle in the midst of assembly.

“Upon closer review, it was observed that certain hardware located on the brake pedal mounting bracket may have been insufficiently tightened or missing,” according to the report.

An investigation was opened shortly thereafter, and the condition was quickly traced to a defective bolt feeder, which was removed from the assembly line on Sept. 4. Further investigation allowed Subaru to determine that the flagged hardware may have serviced a number of vehicles that were produced between July 30 and Aug. 29.

Subaru decided to conduct the recall on September 11, and informed dealers on September 18.

The Solution

Dealers have been informed of the defect and a stop order has been placed on all vehicles potentially containing it that have not yet sold. All of those vehicles will be inspected – and repaired if necessary – before being made available for sale once again.

Owners of vehicles involved in the recall will be notified by Subaru no later than Oct. 1, according to the report filed by the automaker with the NHTSA. These customers will be instructed to bring their vehicle to an authorized dealer, who will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware, and then replace the hardware of the brake pedal assembly if necessary.

If you own one of the listed vehicles and have further questions, you may contact Subaru’s customer service line at (844) 373-6614. For information on additional Subaru recalls and other news from the automotive industry, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean Reyes2020 Legacy and Outback Vehicles Recalled For Brake Pedal Mounting Bracket

Subaru recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

Laguna Hills, Calif. — July 26, 2019 — Subaru of America has recalled dozens of sport utility vehicles potentially equipped with defective driveshafts, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2019 Subaru Ascent SUVs produced between June 8, 2019, and June 11, 2019. The Japanese automaker suspects that all of the vehicles involved in the recall contain these defective components.

The Defect

The affected vehicles could come equipped with driveshafts whose support bracing surfaces and bolts have been inadvertently painted and are therefore disconnection. Continuous vibration could shake these essential fixtures lose, leading to driveshaft separation and sudden loss of motive power. The defective parts pose a serious hazard to owners and occupants as a consequence. That said, Subaru has yet to receive any reports linking the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

On June 12, 2019, quality assurance personnel inspecting recently assembled vehicles at the Subaru of America production plant in Lafayette, Indiana encountered a 2019 Subaru Ascent with an out-of-specification driveshaft torque brace bolt. The automaker connected with its driveshaft supplier, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, based in Monroe, Georgia, and requested that it conduct an internal investigation to understand error. The supplier executed a review June 13, 2019, and found that some production teams were not masking driveshaft support mounting surfaces during the painting process. Subaru and Hitachi then used assembly records to assess the extent of the issue between June 14, 2019, and July 1, 2019.

The automaker reviewed all investigation findings and approved a voluntary recall July 2, 2019.

The Solution

Subaru has directed dealers to inspect the recalled vehicles and replace any defective driveshaft components, free of charge, per NHTSA documents. The vehicle manufacturer intends to contact owners via first-class mail July 26, 2019. Those who need additional assistance can connect with Subaru customer service staff by calling (844) 373-6614. Callers should use the recall identification code WUI-94. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesSubaru recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

Subaru Recalling 10,417 Vehicles Because of Power Steering Problem

Laguna Hills, CA – March 12, 2019 – Subaru of America, Inc. announced the recall of over 10,000 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. Similar to the 2019 Subaru power steering recall in the midst of a production shutdown that affected the Forester, XV, as well as the Impreza. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering unit may short-circuit, causing a loss of electric power steering assistance. Up to 10,417 vehicles are potentially affected by this issue.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report on this issue, a connector inside the Electronic Power Steering control unit may form small gaps in the plastic material molding during the manufacturing process. Consequently, connector terminals inside the plastic molding may have insufficient isolation between terminals. If a loss in isolation happens, the EPS warning lamp will light and the EPS assist may be disabled. When this occurs, steering will become more difficult, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

Subaru received the first report of a vehicle experiencing loss of power steering assist on Jan. 8, 2019. The report came from a transport truck driver who had just restarted the engine to load the vehicle for transportation. The problem occurred before the vehicle was in motion. Subaru requested part collection to begin a supplier investigation. This comes after a separate 2016 Subaru steering column shaft recall that dealt with steering issues on the 2016 and 2017 Subaru Legacy & Outback models. 

In the following week, Subaru received ten additional incidents of vehicles with disabled EPS assist. In all ten new cases, the issue happened shortly after the engine was restarted but prior to driving the vehicle, similar to the original occurrence. All eleven of these cases surfaced in Japan, while still under the automaker’s control.

The Investigation proceeded with a supplier-conducted examination of the failed parts, a review of the manufacturing process, and an inquiry into the history of the composition of raw materials involved in the connector’s fabrication.

On Jan. 16, Subaru received the first report of this problem occurring while a vehicle was in motion. Like the previous incidents, the failure was reported by a transport truck driver while the vehicle was still in Japan under manufacturer control. As a result, all production and shipping of potentially affected vehicles were halted.

Subaru of America subsequently placed a hold on these vehicles on Jan. 21. Since all the vehicles were in the shipping process and hadn’t yet arrived in the U.S., the hold kept the automobiles at their various ports of entry. Back in Japan, a safety recall was announced on Jan.30 by Subaru for the Japanese market, because some of the potentially affected Forester and Crosstrek vehicles had already been sold.

In the U.S., Subaru went ahead with distribution of the vehicles to retailers beginning Feb. 4, so that dealers could make repairs. A voluntary safety recall was issued at that time.

The Solution

The recall of potentially affected vehicles began on Feb. 7, 2019. As of that date, none of the affected vehicles had been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers of the issue, and they will inspect the steering gearbox and replace it as necessary, free of charge.

Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WUC-88. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V065000.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,000 vehicles are included in this Subaru recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WUC-88. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V065000.

Sean ReyesSubaru Recalling 10,417 Vehicles Because of Power Steering Problem