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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
29,442
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-04
Owners notified
1998-06-29
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags: frontal
7
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
6
115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
3
115,000 mi
Service brakes
3
87,696 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
3
—
Structure: body
3
87,696 mi
Vehicle speed control
3
186,000 mi
Wheels
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
2
115,000 mi
Power train
2
87,696 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
2
—
Tires
2
—
Air bags
1
—
Air bags: side/window
1
—
Electrical system
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
80,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
135,906 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
1
903,086 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint
1
—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
1
—
Suspension
1
—
Suspension: front
1
—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
1
169,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
1
—
Tires: sidewall
1
—
Tires: tread/belt
1
—
Vehicle speed control: linkages
1
—
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
—
The 1995 model has 19 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about half 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.
