Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SUSPENSION - REAR
03V153000SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.from 05/01/1999 to 04/30/2002V (Vehicle)17000007/14/2003MFRSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.04/22/200304/24/2003
Defect SummaryThis recall applies to certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. certain rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, could result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe.
Consequence SummaryIf such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will clean and rust-proof the rear suspension subframe. owner notification began july 14, 2003. 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

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
11/01/2011117000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. the vehicle was included in the recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 03v153000 (suspension:rear) and was repaired. after the repair, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated issues when the mechanic advised the contact that the rear subframe assembly was completely corroded. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
11/01/2011117000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. the vehicle was included in the recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 03v153000 (suspension:rear) and was repaired. after the repair, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated issues when the mechanic advised the contact that the rear subframe assembly was completely corroded. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the approximate failure mileage was 117,000. kmj
11/01/2011117000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. the vehicle was included in the recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 03v153000 (suspension:rear) and was repaired. after the repair the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for unrelated repairs when the mechanic noticed the rear subframe assembly was completely corroded. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 117,000. ds
07/01/20021
 Consumer received a recall letter july of 2002. dealer claimed could not do repairs because parts weren't available. kelly subaru, 3122 w. tennessee st., tallahassee fl., 32304 850-575-6166.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT
09/30/200203/01/2000
 Front stabilizer bar broke in two places. two dealers have said this happens often. isn't that a safety problem as it affects handling? it broke right after they worked on the front suspension! dt
10/24/2002107/01/2002
 While driving on a smooth dirt road, heard a clunk under the car. stopped and looked under it only to find the sway bar broke in the middle of the bar. end links and other parts fine. the thick sway bar designed to be strong broke. must investigate. dt
07/05/20021
 While driving vehicle kept pulling to the right, and front end was wobbling, caused by the carriage bolt that fell off. dealer contacted.*ak while the consumer was driving the bike rack dropped down. the check engine light came on and stayed on due to evaporation leak from system and loose gas cap. the driver's side window seal was damaged. *yh
109/01/1999
 Loud clunking and vibration when driving over bumps when turning at low speeds. it is most pronounced during left turns but also does it when turning right. dealer rep says he could not hear it. we will schedule another appointment and will make sure dealer rep is not deaf. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR
09/30/2006104000110/05/2005
 Front stabilizer/roll bar broke on left side. *jb
02/24/2006124923111/16/1999
 Front stabilizer bar broke for seemingly no reason. *nm
12/19/200592995104/01/2002
 Front stabilizer bar broke in half while pull out of a gas station. driving about 15 mph. this car is only driven on highways/ by ways no off roading. has 93k on car. subaru dealer will no give a break on price, part or labor because there is no warranty. i have already found 6 complaints about this on this site. *jb
01/01/20051
 Front stabilizer bar broke near the right wheel for no apparent reason. i do not know when this occurred. i discovered the broken part hanging down nearly to the ground on january 1, 2005. this has caused the car to handle erratically at higher speeds, and i plan to get it repaired. i called subaru and they informed me that they would not remedy this safety issue because the car is out of warranty (72,400 miles). *ak
11/15/200438125203/16/2000
 My 2000 subaru legacy outback front stabilizer/sway bar broke at both ends simultaneously, at the same location, going downhill on a black top road. an audible ping sound occurred when it happened. *ak the dealer replaced the stabilizer/sway bar on december 1st, 2004 at my expense. subaru refused to pay for the part or labor. this vehicle only has 38k miles on it.
08/09/20041
 Front sway bar snapped. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
01/30/200436000111/30/1999
 Both rear wheel bearings have failed prematurely, one at 38000 miles and again at 75000 miles and the second at 79000 miles. this is a well known defect in this year subaru, and is potentially dangerous if not immediately taken care of. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
06/13/2011130000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2000 subaru outback. the contact did not remember when, but they stated they had the recall repaired under nhtsa recall campaign id number:03v153000(suspension:rear) and now the rear cross bar is rusting again. the contact was told by the manufacturer that the repair had been made and they could not repair the vehicle again. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage and current mileages were 130,000.rl
1
 Possible defect of rear sub-frame assembly with poor paint quality.*mr the consumer received a recall which stated if the vehicle is operated for an extensive period in a salt belt area, continued exposure to salt could cause the rear sub-frame assembly to rust-out and eventually break. *ph *jb
103/01/2000
 Consumer received recall notice 03v153000 concerning the rear suspension subframe corrosion in july 2003. dealer still does not have the parts available to repair the recall defect. *ak *ph *jb
08/05/20031
 Consumer received recall 03v153000, but a weld on right rear of rear suspension that should be rust proofed already cracked.*ak
07/05/2003106/03/2000
 The vehicle experienced the same problem as the recall on the rear suspension. the dealer did not repair the problem because the vehicle was not included due to the vin. recall number unknown. *ak (recall # 03v153000) *scc *jb
03/25/2002
 Sway bar broke while pulling out of driveway. dealer and manufacturer were notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak