Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | ||||||||||||||||
| 00I002000 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. | from 03/01/1996 to 05/31/1997 | I | 223520 | 11/15/2000 | ODI | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. | 05/15/2000 | 08/24/2000 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: passenger vehicles. some of these vehicles have an alternator problem that can result in a loss of charging capability. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If the alternator fails, the alternator warning telltale will alert the driver to the problem, giving ample opportunity to seek repair before a loss of battery power, which, if the warning were ignored, could ultimately result in a loss of vehicle power (engine stall). | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the alternator with a modified alternator. owners will also be cautioned that, should the alternator telltale warning lamp illuminate, they must seek immediate repair to avoid the eventual loss of electrical power, which could result in an engine stall. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Subaru has decided to conduct a service program to replace the alternator. this replacement campaign will be conducted in phases.owner notification began november 15, 2000.owners can contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783, concerning this program. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||||
| WXW81 | 10/15/2000 | 618425 | Some vehicles may experience a loss of alternator charging due to a broken brush wire. *tt | 04/12/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 02/04/2003 | 78000 | 1 | 03/31/1998 |
| At the beginning of february, 2003, blown engine in a 1998 subaru legacy 2.5 gt. dealer stated that the problem was due to cold weather in the northeast, and that there were 4 other subaru's with blown engines in his lot awaiting repair. i had the engine replaced with a 1999 subaru at a trusted mechanic's (at a cost of $4000), and today the alternator on this 1999 engine died ( this had been a recall on the '98 subaru's). *jb | |||
| The alternator failed. | |||
| 01/11/2000 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| Comments from the dealers invoice: 671 miles: checked for oil leak, found fluid leaking from power steering rack. removed and reinstalled rack assembly.671 miles: i complained about smell in vents. advised it was power steering fluid leaking onto exhaust. 944miles: oil leaking from engine down onto exhaust. found leak at top of engine on the right side near rear oil galley plug. disassemble engine complete down to short block. replace short block and all necessary gaskets and seals. reassemble engine. 944 miles: i complained about smell in vents. this time told it was burning oil getting into vents before engine repair.6195 miles,03/27/98: complained about smell in vents. dash assembly disassembled, cleaned, reassembled. 7173 miles: complained about smell in vents. working with zexel rep. on a/c system located leak at evaporator cooling unit. remove and replace receiver drier and a/c compressor. reassemble. 8009 miles: i complained that the check engine light stayed on while driving. told possible that fuel tank cap was not on tight. 10185miles 08/06/98: i complained check engine light still stays on: found rear 0-2 sensor to have slow response times. remove and reinstall rear 0-2 sensor. 8485 miles complained of burning smell from under hood. told inner axle boot leaking. inner axle cv boot grease in front replaced. 29901miles: recall campaign wxq74 master cylinder. perform wxq-74 and install label. 39150 miles: complained about rattling noise from rear axle. checked rear differential, heard pinion bearing to be noisy. replaced rear differential. warranty expired. 45330 miles: my altenator failed. i was towed 15 miles to the dealership, at a cost of $140 dollars, and paid 294.35 dollars to have it replaced. at the time i was informed that there was an open recall on both 1996 and 1997 altenators but nothing on the 1998's. last week i got a letter from subaru informing me that some 1998's may require altenator replacements. *ak | |||
| 02/24/2000 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| 2nd subaru to fail, both under 3 yrs old, under 42k mile. no safety defect listed in summary. *ak | |||
| 05/26/2000 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| Alternator failed , causing loss of power in heavy freeway traffic, collision luckily avoided.*ak | |||
| 02/21/2000 | 07/01/1997 | ||
| Alternator died will travelling on highway at night, total loss of electrical power | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 4 | |||
| The battery failed. | |||
| 07/16/1998 | 12/11/1998 | ||
| Sunroof drainlines were repaired twice, due to leakage, dealer believes that the windshield installer caused them to be disconnected. cv joint leaking due to freeze plug in the cv joints, replace but leaks worse. installed a battery hold down, top defroster line repaired twice, smell of burning oil. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 09/21/2005 | 95275 | 0 | 07/30/2005 |
| Key didn't come out of ignition switch. shift lock control module had to be replaced. *nm | |||
| 07/15/2004 | 37546 | 1 | 06/01/1998 |
| Consumer request for reimbursement for all repairs expenses for 1998 subaru legacy.*mr during regular maintenance the dealer determined that he vehicle's steering center differential needed to be replaced. the vehicle's check engine light illuminated. the dealer replaced the ignition coil. since the vehicle only has 38,000 miles the consumer feels subaru should reimburse him for the cost of the repairs. *nm | |||