Lemon Law Center

the left and right side curtain air bags in certain vehicles involved in this campaign may not fully deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. during a side impact test conducted by the insurance institute for highway safety (iihs), the test results indicated that there was a difference between the iihs test results and the result of side impact tests conducted by fhi.

Corrective Action

this may result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bag modules. the recall began on june 11, 2004. owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. .

2004 Subaru Outback

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap

Consequence of Defect

certain passenger or sport utility vehicles may have a loose or out of position fuel filler hose clamp.

Corrective Action

this could result in fuel leakage. fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and tighten the clamp on the fuel filler hose. owner notification began august 27, 2003. owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2004 Subaru Outback

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released. if this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.

Corrective Action

if this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. owner notification began on april 12, 2004. owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

this recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. certain rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, could result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe.

Corrective Action

if such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will clean and rust-proof the rear suspension subframe. owner notification began july 14, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. when the transmission selector lever is placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.

Corrective Action

the vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. owner notification january 8, 2003. an interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Wheels

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines, the aluminum wheels may have an off-center diameter.

Corrective Action

this can result in the eventual loosening of the wheel hub-nuts during vehicle usage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace all 4 aluminum wheels. owner notification began september 12, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System

Consequence of Defect

on certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines, the water pump pulley center hole was improperly machined.

Corrective Action

in some instances, the interference fit between the inner wall of the pulley center hole and the water pump drive shaft was not as tight as specified in the drawing specification. this could result in the water pump pulley dislodging from the water pump shaft, which can cause severe engine damage/seizure during vehicle usage.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the water pump. owner notification began september 12, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Recall Notes

2003 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front

Consequence of Defect

on some passenger and sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, certain left-hand front transverse link components were produced with poor paint quality. if the vehicle is operated form an extensive period in a salt-belt area, continued exposure to salt could cause the left front transverse link to rust and eventually break.

Corrective Action

if the transverse link were to break due to rusting, control of the vehicle could be affected without prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will apply anti-rust material to the left front transverse link. owner notification began august 1, 2003. owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2002 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2002 Subaru Outback

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2002 Subaru Outback

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Recall Notes

2002 Subaru Outback

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).

Corrective Action

at these temperatures, the brakes may not release after being applied, even when the driver's foot is no longer on the brake pedal. this can occur withour prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the master cylinders. owner notification began march 21, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

2001 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2001 Subaru Outback

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2001 Subaru Outback

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Recall Notes

2000 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1999 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. the front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.

Corrective Action

depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

Recall Notes

dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. owner notification began september 18, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

1998 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

Recall Notes

1998 Subaru Outback

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).

1997 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

Recall Notes

1997 Subaru Outback

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).

1997 Subaru Outback

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.

Corrective Action

operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.

1997 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger station wagon, sedan and sport utility vehicles. due to improper welding, fractures can occur on the support bracket of the front transverse link.

Corrective Action

such fractures can result in partial or complete separation of the bracket causing a failure of the lower suspension mounting, leading to a loss of vehicle control.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.

1996 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

Recall Notes

1996 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger station wagon, sedan and sport utility vehicles. due to improper welding, fractures can occur on the support bracket of the front transverse link.

Corrective Action

such fractures can result in partial or complete separation of the bracket causing a failure of the lower suspension mounting, leading to a loss of vehicle control.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.

1995 Subaru Outback

Component

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.