SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Safety risk
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
Safety risk
IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE OIL-FLOW CONTROL VALVE COVER BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Fuel/propulsion system
63
120,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
58
94,800 mi
Engine
23
110,000 mi
Suspension
20
145,000 mi
Air bags
19
68,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
10
49,000 mi
Power train
9
119,000 mi
Unknown or other
9
106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
7
85,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
6
70,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
3
25,000 mi
Electrical system
3
68,000 mi
Wheels
3
87,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
2
69,968 mi
Service brakes
2
160,000 mi
Structure
2
28,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
2
102,000 mi
Suspension: rear
2
51,000 mi
Tires
2
9,530 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
2
—
Air bags: side/window
1
25,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
1
29,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
102,323 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
1
300 mi
Equipment
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
1
101,312 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
159,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
1
39,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
1
25,300 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
1
—
Power train: manual transmission
1
50,000 mi
Seat belts
1
76,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly
1
15,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
56,180 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
14,394 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
28,000 mi
Steering
1
244,123 mi
Structure: body
1
—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
1
75,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
1
67,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer
1
85,175 mi
The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2005 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.
