Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS
01V216000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 01/25/1994 to 01/30/1998V (Vehicle)18000009/18/2001MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.06/25/200106/26/2001
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryDepending 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesAlso contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY - HANGER,BRACKET
98V091000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 06/03/1996 to 09/30/1996V (Vehicle)2944206/29/1998MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.05/04/199805/06/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummarySuch 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.
NotesOwner notification began june 29, 1998. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION
01010201/01/2002627826Information regarding front spring guard bulletin update. *yd02/25/2002
WXK6806/29/1998602763Procedures on transverse link assemblies. *yc01/11/1999
WXK6806/29/1998601879Subject on transverse link assemblies. *yc08/28/1998
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
03500212/23/200210000642New procedure for replacing rear wheel bearings. *tt03/26/2003
SUB19970102/01/1997512551995-97 legacy rear wheel bearing/seal noise. *jd06/27/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
03/02/2012255000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy . the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact then noticed that there was smoke and flames coming from the rear end of the vehicle. the fire department was contacted and a fire report was filed. the vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where they inspected and advised that the differential failed due to the vehicle becoming overheated. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileage was 255,000. kmj
03/02/2012255000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy . the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact then noticed that there was smoke and flames coming from the rear end of the vehicle. the fire department was contacted and there was a report filed. the vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where they inspected and stated that the differential failed due to over heating. the vehicle was not repaired.the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileage was 255,000. cv
02/06/2000
 Car fishtailed out of control. *ak
05/01/1996103/01/1996
 Vibration at speeds over 67 mph.
1
 Vehicle lost control while trying to avoid other vehicle.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
 Vehicle fishtailed/loss control in an attempt to avoid an accident.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS
06/28/1999201/30/1996
 Request for reimbursement regarding the repair of the 1996 subaru legacy driver's side front spring.*mr during a routine inspection, it was discovered that the spring on the left front of the consumers vehicle had failed for the second time. when the original spring failed the first time, it caused damaged to the tire and the spare tire. the ignition wire were worn, the headlight bulb was replaced. *jb
06/17/1996144000201/30/1996
 Today, 06/17/05, during a routine nys safety inspection, it was discovered that the spring on the driver's side front of my 1996 subaru legacy failed for a second time. in 1999 the original spring snapped causing damage to both the tire and the spare. at that time the spring was repalced.i contacted subaru about this unusual failure but they did nothing. in 2001 i received a recall letter from subaru because of spring failures. as instructed, i returned the car to the dealership were both front springs were was fitted with safety devices to prevent another failure. i assumed that the problem was solved and the car would be safe to drive. eventually i was reimbursed for my repair expenses. today i contacted subaru consumer service department when i learned that the replacement spring failed and needed replacement. i was told by a representative that subaru had met its recall obligations and would do nothing about the failure of the front end replacement spring. subaru has not solved my problem and i will be requesting reimbursement for a second time.
07/11/2003108/01/1998
 Consumer made an appointment with the dealer about two weeks ago for recall 01v216000 repairs regarding front coil springs. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer on 7/11/2003, and the dealer stated no parts were available, and there was nothing they could do to further assist them. *ak *scc *nlm
06/18/20011
 Consumer received recall 01v216 and had recall work done and is now requesting reimbursement. *slc
SUSPENSION - REAR
 While vehicle was being driven rear end fall down, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak