Subaru recalls seem to just keep coming. Within the past 30 days, Subaru recalls have been issued for three different problems and now over 500,000 Subarus need to be fixed.
None of the recalls are for minor issues or cosmetic ones. Each is dangerous and potentially deadly: (1) loose moon roofs, where the glass can pop off while you’re driving; (2) motors for windshield wipers that can burst into flame; and (3) (maybe the most frightening) control arms that corrode and break due to weather, leaving drivers without the ability to control the vehicle.
If you or a loved one have been injured by one of these product problems, then you may have a claim for damages and personal injury against the manufacturer (and others). Here are the Recall Notices (all from NHTSA):
RECALL OF SUBARUS FOR CONTROL ARMS THAT CORRODE AND BREAK
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
SAAB / 9-2X
2005-2006
SUBARU / FORESTER
2003-2008
SUBARU / IMPREZA
2002-2007
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Mfr’s Report Date: SEP 06, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V464000
NHTSA Action Number: PE11011
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 295,123
Summary:
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.Consequence:
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
SUBARU DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Notes:
THIS IS SUBARU’S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER WVX-34. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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RECALL OF SUBARUS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS THAT CATCH FIRE
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
SUBARU / LEGACY
2010-2011
SUBARU / OUTBACK
2010-2011
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Mfr’s Report Date: SEP 06, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V469000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Potential Number of Units Affected: 195,080
Summary:
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2010, THROUGH MAY 20, 2011. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence:
IF THE COMPONENTS OVERHEAT, THE WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER MAY MELT AND POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE.
Remedy:
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR BOTTOM COVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Notes:
SUBARU’S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS WVV-32. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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RECALL OF SUBARUS FOR MOON ROOF GLASS THAT FALLS ONTO DRIVER
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
SUBARU / LEGACY
2011
SUBARU / OUTBACK
2011
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Mfr’s Report Date: SEP 06, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V467000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 69,590
Summary:
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.
Consequence:
THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GLASS ADHESION CONDITION AND EITHER APPLY ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE OR REPLACE THE MOONROOF GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Notes:
SUBARU’S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS WVW-33. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
