The defect
SUBARU IS RECALLING 36,791 MY 2002-2003 IMPREZA WAGONS. THE STUD BOLT(S) OF REAR GATE STAY MAY HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED WITH INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING TORQUE AND A GAP MAY HAVE RESULTED BETWEEN THE REAR GATE PANEL AND STUD BOLT BASE. AFTER REPEATED REAR GATE OPERATIONS (OPENING AND CLOSING), THE REAR GATE INNER PANEL AT THE WELDING NUT MAY BREAK, WHICH WILL LEAD TO DETACHMENT OF THE REAR GATE STAY, AND THE REAR GATE DROPPING DOWN.
The risk
IN CASE SOMEONE IS UNDERNEATH OR NEAR THE REAR GATE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A DROPPING REAR GATE PANEL MAY HIT THEM INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY GAP AT THE STUD BOLT OF THE REAR GATE STAY INSTALLATION. IF A GAP IS FOUND, THE STUD BOLT WILL BE REMOVED TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE TO THE WELDING NUT. IF THE WELD NUT IS CRACKED, THE REAR GATE STAY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 2002, 2003 |
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 2002 | 292 | 6 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2003 | 62 | 6 |
Other latches/locks/linkages recalls in 2008
5 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the latches/locks/linkages; SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. filed 75 campaigns in all.
| 08V444000 3 Sept 2008 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 08V280000 26 Jun 2008 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 08V065000 7 Feb 2008 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 08V058000 5 Feb 2008 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008