1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLAT DUE TO PART OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING BEING SNAPPED AND STICKING INTO INSIDE OF THE TIRE. SPRING WAS INTACT WHEN I PARKED IT. FRIGHTENING TO THINK IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF WHICH I WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED…
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1997 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FLAT DUE TO PART OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING BEING SNAPPED AND STICKING INTO INSIDE OF THE TIRE. SPRING WAS INTACT WHEN I PARKED IT. FRIGHTENING TO THINK IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OF WHICH I WAS THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11013111
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2013
Suspension
I INSTALLED MEVOTECH STRUT MOUNTS (MP903987 & MP903986) ON OUR 1997 SUBARU LEGACY POSTAL WHEN INSTALLING NEW REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUTS. THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER AROUND 60 MILES. I REPLACED IT WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART THAT HAD LASTED 420,000 MILES. THE LEFT SIDE FAILED THE NEXT DAY AFTER BEING IN SERVIC…
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I INSTALLED MEVOTECH STRUT MOUNTS (MP903987 & MP903986) ON OUR 1997 SUBARU LEGACY POSTAL WHEN INSTALLING NEW REAR SHOCK ABSORBER/STRUTS. THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER AROUND 60 MILES. I REPLACED IT WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PART THAT HAD LASTED 420,000 MILES. THE LEFT SIDE FAILED THE NEXT DAY AFTER BEING IN SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES TOTAL. I RETURNED THE OTHER ORIGINAL PART TO SERVICE. THE FAILURES ALLOWED THE STRUT TO PUSH THROUGH THE MOUNT AND HIT ON THE THIN RETAINING PLATE. IT ALLOWED THE REAR SUSPENSION TO BECOME EXTREMELY LOUD AND LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I REPORTED IT TO THE SELLER, ROCKAUTO, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT I SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH ON PART QUALITY. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POOR QUALITY AND DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE THE FAULTY MEVOTECH PARTS IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOXES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10545985
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE, BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAK/ LOUD NOISE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES, ALSO RIM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING BENT. *YD
NHTSA ODI #899069
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Suspension
RECALL 01V216000, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN SEPTEMBER, HAS BEEN TOLD BY SUBARU THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #898808
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Suspension
THIS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HYDROPLANED IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, ENBEKNOWNST TO MY WIFE, UNTIL THE CAR DRIFTED TOWARD THE MEDIAN OF THE DIVIDED 4-LANE. TRACTION WAS REGAINED AND SHE WAS PROPELLED ACROSS AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. THANKFULLY, NO CARS WERE COMING -- PLUS, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE GOT HER BACK UP THE EMBANKMENT AND HOME. SHOULDN'T A …
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THIS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE HYDROPLANED IN VERY HEAVY RAIN, ENBEKNOWNST TO MY WIFE, UNTIL THE CAR DRIFTED TOWARD THE MEDIAN OF THE DIVIDED 4-LANE. TRACTION WAS REGAINED AND SHE WAS PROPELLED ACROSS AND DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. THANKFULLY, NO CARS WERE COMING -- PLUS, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE GOT HER BACK UP THE EMBANKMENT AND HOME. SHOULDN'T A LIGHT OR SENSOR BE REQUIRED SO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE CAR OWNERS KNOW WHEN HYDROPLANING OCCURS? HOW ELSE IS THERE TO KNOW?!? THANKS SO MUCH.
NHTSA ODI #713500
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1999
Suspension
CONTROL ARM CREASED AT CENTER DURING TURN AT LOW SPEED. DAMAGE APPEARS SIMILAR TO PLASTIC STRAW PLACED UNDER PRESSURE AT BOTH ENDS UNTIL STRESS CAUSES TO CREASE. TOW OPERATOR, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED HE SAW NO SCRATCH OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF IMPACT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CREASE TO OCCUR, STRONGLY SUGGESTING THAT THIS INCIDENT…
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CONTROL ARM CREASED AT CENTER DURING TURN AT LOW SPEED. DAMAGE APPEARS SIMILAR TO PLASTIC STRAW PLACED UNDER PRESSURE AT BOTH ENDS UNTIL STRESS CAUSES TO CREASE. TOW OPERATOR, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED HE SAW NO SCRATCH OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF IMPACT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CREASE TO OCCUR, STRONGLY SUGGESTING THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS THE PRODUCT OF LONG TERM STRESS RELATED FAILURE. DEALER, HOWEVER, DISAGREES WITH THIS ANALYSIS, AND STATES IMPACT MUST HAVE OCCURRED TO CAUSE DAMAGE. IN ANY EVENT, SUCH A CONDITION COULD EASILY BE LIFE THREATENING UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE ARM EITHER BE STRENGTHEND OR PROTECTED TO MITIGATE SUCH A POSSIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #701048
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Air BagsSuspensionCrashInjury
VEHICLE LOT BALANCE CONTROL DURING SWIFT STEERING RESULTING IN COLLISION, VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN INJURIES TO CONSUMER (FOREARM AND FACIAL).
NHTSA ODI #542567
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 1998
Suspension
RECALL NOTICE SENT FOR SUSPENSION WELD WORK TO BE COMPLETED, HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #538605
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSuspension
CRUNCHING NOISE IN FRONT END SUSPENSION AREA PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
VEHICLE 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 & remedy
Consequence: DEPENDING 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.
Remedy: DEALERS 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.
VEHICLE 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 & remedy
Consequence: SUCH 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.
VEHICLE 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 & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE99067 · Electrical System
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed May 31, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 5,820 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING.OUR COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE COMPAINTS ARE CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE.IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPOMSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO PERFORM THE OWNER NORTIFICATION PROGRAM CITED ABOVE, INCLUDING QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS TO ODI.THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OWNERS TO GET THEIR ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR FREE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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