The defect
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
The risk
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| Subaru Outback | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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 Legacy | 2005 | 184 | 9 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2006 | 87 | 7 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2007 | 33 | 9 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2008 | 65 | 9 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2009 | 65 | 13 |
| Subaru Outback | 2005 | 273 | 9 |
| Subaru Outback | 2006 | 277 | 7 |
| Subaru Outback | 2007 | 129 | 8 |
| Subaru Outback | 2008 | 226 | 8 |
| Subaru Outback | 2009 | 106 | 13 |
Other service brakes, hydraulic recalls in 2013
23 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the service brakes, hydraulic; Subaru of America, Inc. filed 101 campaigns in all.
| 13V489000 29 Oct 2013 | Hyundai Motor Company |
| 13V484000 17 Oct 2013 | Bentley Motors, Inc. |
| 13V470000 30 Sept 2013 | Automobili Lamborghini America LLC |
| 13V471000 30 Sept 2013 | Automobili Lamborghini America LLC |
| 13V454000 26 Sept 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V453000 18 Sept 2013 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
| 13V451000 18 Sept 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V386000 28 Aug 2013 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013