Subaru Defects and Recalls
Subaru is the automobile manufacturing wing of the Japanese transportation mega-corporation Subaru Corporation. Subaru sells sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and Kei cars around the world. Sales of Subaru vehicles in the United States are handled through Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru is one of the twenty or so largest automobile manufacturers in the world, generating over $37 billion in revenue in 2023 alone. Subarus are marketed as reliable, confident vehicles with a high resale value.
Despite riding on a reputation of being long-lasting, high-resale, vehicles, Subarus have been subject to several serious recalls covering dangerous defects. Even just over the past couple of years, Subaru has been forced to undergo a number of recalls concerning issues such as heater fires, light and camera failures, defective drive clutches, and fuel pump failures. Check your vehicle identification number on Subaru’s website or the NHTSA website to determine if your Subaru is or was subject to a recall.
If you own or lease a Subaru with a serious defect, if your Subaru is or has been subject to a recall, or if you were hurt because of a defective Subaru, you have important legal rights. Call the Lemon Law attorney at Nita Lemon Law Firm today for advice and representation.
Heater Terminal Failure: 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent
In early 2023, Subaru of America issued a massive recall affecting over 270,000 Ascent vehicles with model years 2019 through 2022. According to the recall, affected vehicles may have an improperly fastened ground bolt securing the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater. The improper fastening can cause the ground terminal to melt, as well as the surrounding components, which can lead to a spontaneous fire while the engine is running.
Owners should have been notified of the defect in February 2023. Owners are advised not to leave their Ascents running while unattended, and to immediately stop the vehicle if they notice or smell smoke coming from the dash or the driver-side footwell area. Owners can obtain repairs at a local dealership.
Headlight Failure: 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza
In October 2022, Subaru notified owners of model years 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles that their headlamps may be defective. More than 188,000 vehicles were affected by the potential defect, which involved faulty reflectors. Low-beam reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination can limit driver visibility and greatly increase the chance of a crash, especially at night. Owners and lessees of affected vehicles can contact Subaru or visit a local dealership for replacement headlamp assemblies.
Faulty Transmission: 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent, 2020 Legacy, 2020 Outback
In early 2022, Subaru was forced to recall close to 200,000 vehicles because of a programming error in the transmission control unit (TCU). The defect could cause the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped, which can then slip and break, leading to loss of drive power. Losing drive power in the middle of a ride creates a serious risk of an accident.
The TCU problem affected 198,255 model years 2019-2020 Ascents, as well as model year 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Owners and lessees can take affected vehicles to local dealerships for inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the transmission.
Fuel Pump Failure: 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86
Subaru issued a massive recall of over 165,000 vehicles across various lines in response to an issue with the fuel pump. The low-pressure fuel pump located inside the fuel tank is prone to failure, which can cause the engine to stall while driving. Losing control of the engine in the middle of a ride is extremely dangerous. Owners should have been notified of the fuel pump issue in September 2021 and can obtain repairs and replacement parts at a nearby dealership.
Call Nita Lemon Law for Help With Claims Concerning a Defective Subaru
If you bought or leased a defective Subaru car, hatchback, convertible, or any other faulty car in California, you are entitled to get the product you paid for or get your money back. If you or someone you care about was hurt because of a dangerously defective product, you have the right to seek compensation, and the right to seek justice. The California Lemon Law team at Nita Lemon Law Firm is ready to protect you, your family, and your rights.
