Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
98V042000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 05/09/1997 to 08/28/1997V (Vehicle)1938606/15/1998MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.02/20/199802/27/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).
NotesOwner notification began june 15, 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
POWER TRAIN
97051697166205/16/199753575Subject on transfer clutch binding and/or bucking on turns. *yc03/30/1998
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
03520305/19/200310001726Clutch pedal sticking. *tt06/23/2003
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
01089808/01/1998605778Information on installing rear differential protector . *tt07/23/1999
05339809/11/19986033481997 and later legacy exhibiting body driveline vibration at high speeds. *yc02/18/1999
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1701/01/2002631078Subject regarding shifter rattle. *jg05/02/2002
03489907/14/1999608198Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may exhibit first gear popping out while driving. *tt11/10/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
09/01/20011501/24/1997
 While driving, vehicle completely shuts down without warning, cause unknown. malfunction could possibly be occurring within speedodmeter. *ak consumer stated the dealer found the source of the problem was actually the cause of the vehicle shutting down.*slc
1
 Transmission failed.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10/06/2003113000107/01/2003
 While the vehicle was running in the park position, the consumer was unable to shift the gears in any direction. vehicle was not drivable. *ak the cause was due to poor ground to the shifter solenoid. this would not acuate to allow the shifter in gear. the consumer was told by several mechanics that this was a common problem in this make/model. *scc *jb
12/01/20011
 While traveling on a steep hill gear will move to another gear as if vehicle is coasting. *ak engine does not hold car when going down hills or stopping, had to decend a steep mountain road using only brakes, when slowing vehicle acts if though it is in neutral when in 0,3,2,1. new transmission cost $3000. *mj
11/28/200107/01/2001
 Oil leak from crank case seal drips back onto exhust manafold during normal driving. once car has stopped and is at idle the oil burns off the manafold and large amounts of smoke pour from under the hood and under the car. if ventilation system left on then smoke enters the passenger compartment. number 2: the car shudders when turns left or right at low speeds (5mph). number 3: the metal guides for the side window (drivers side) have scratched the glass and it can't be repaired must replace. number 4: car started to sputter or miss after 61000 miles. it occurs only after the engine warms up.
104/30/1997
 Transmission surges at 250-500 rpm when cold.
10/05/1996
 The transmission jumps out of first gear and grinds into 2nd gear.
05/25/199804/11/1998
 My dealer has been working on the problem and did the throttle body recall check which turned up negative.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
06/14/19974
 Vehicle going down hill in ast gear; would pop out of 1st gear into neutral & take off/accelerate; would lose control until shifted into 1st. happens intermittenly. dealer says can not fix because can not duplicate problem. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
 Owner received recall notice in july for front tranfer case link. contacted dealer and was told parts were unavailable and are on back order. recall # 98v091000. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
10/10/200108/01/2000
 Crank seal leak is a fire risk. oil drips along oil pan and onto y section of exhaust where it burns. this is a common problem with subarus with 50k miles. although torque converter bind is not directly a safety issue, it is too common among subarus with > 50k miles.
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
3
 Vehicle has been looked at during a period of time and mechanic found several problems. radiator and head gaskets were replaced. oil was leaking from the motor, and the axle on the passenger side had gone bad. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT
01/11/2000201/01/2000
 The scratch on the glass is on both drivers side and passenger side. i was told it is from the inner door metal rubbing against the glass when windows go up and or down. the mark on the glass is about and inch wide and deep enough that it will not come off. the check engine light came on during the drive home from the lot. the cause according to the dealer was that the cam belt slipped off by one tooth. the rear wheel bearings are needing to be replaced under normal driving conditions. there is no abnormal wear and considering the low 53,000 miles - this should not need to be done. car when cold idles rough, heat sheild rattles, dash lights in center console not working, extream corrosion under car effecting suspension and making noise when turning wheel right or left.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
 Spontaneously transmission will shift from 1st gear into neutral on its own. consumer has taken vehicle to dealer at 19,000 58,000 and at 65,000 miles, but is not able to duplicate defect, and refuses to fix defect.*ak
309/24/1997
 When driving at low speed, standard transmission drops out first gear,shifting into neutral.
10/14/1996
 Vehicle jumps out of gear whenever going down a hill. *ak