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
02V282000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 06/01/2001 to 09/30/2002V (Vehicle)17256401/08/2003MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.10/30/200210/30/2002
Defect SummaryCertain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. when the transmission selector lever is placed in the p (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.
Consequence SummaryThe vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. owner notification january 8, 2003. an interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. 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.
NotesCustomers can 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
01010301/01/200310001924Sport shift cold weather operation. *tt *jb07/25/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9412/01/200210000639Improperly manufactured 4eat transmission parking pawl rod. *tt03/26/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
09/20/2004507/01/2003
 2003 subaru outback developed a problem where the vehicle would experience hesitation upon acceleration and the check engine light would illuminate. ***no answer required*** *mr the vehicle lunged while in motion without the gas pedal being applied, the consumer had difficulty with the automatic shifting, lack of power upon acceleration, and on occasion an extremely loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when shifting, braking, or disengaging the cruise control with the brake pedal. *sc the rotors were resurfaced.*jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
11/06/200658524110/30/2006
 I own a 2003 subaru legacy sedan. as i pick up speed you can hear an increasing wind noise coming from around the front 2 windows. at speeds of 65 mph and above it gets really bad and it starts sounding like a ref blowing his whistle. i take many trips on the interstate and it get really bad and it gets worse if the wind is blowing. this is the only problem i had other than the transmission hesitating and shifting hard upon starting off in drive. other than these 2 problems in is a great car. *nm
06/24/20043800306/25/2003
 When accelerating at any speed hesitates for a couple of seconds. *ak the manufacturer indicated that the problem could not be fixed because it was a characteristic of the vehicle. the consumer feels that this problem will cause damage to the engine and transmission over time. *nm
02/02/200423100101/07/2003
 Automatic transmission slipping, engine surging while in gear. *jb
01/02/200350101/02/2003
 When the recall was performed on the transmission, the dealer broke the transmission pan bolt, which caused fluid to leak out, consumer stated transmission may have internal damage.*jb