The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
The risk
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Subaru Forester | 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Subaru WRX | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 Crosstrek | 2013 | 26 | 1 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2014 | 16 | 1 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2015 | 17 | 1 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2016 | 132 | 1 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2017 | 94 | 1 |
| Subaru Forester | 2014 | 403 | 2 |
| Subaru Forester | 2015 | 615 | 3 |
| Subaru Forester | 2016 | 415 | 3 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2008 | 176 | 14 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2009 | 104 | 14 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2010 | 46 | 15 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2011 | 58 | 14 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2012 | 243 | 6 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2013 | 251 | 4 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2014 | 108 | 3 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2015 | 77 | 2 |
| Subaru Impreza | 2016 | 75 | 1 |
| Subaru WRX | 2008 | 65 | 7 |
| Subaru WRX | 2009 | 41 | 10 |
| Subaru WRX | 2010 | 1 | 12 |
| Subaru WRX | 2011 | 4 | 11 |
| Subaru WRX | 2012 | 2 | 12 |
| Subaru WRX | 2013 | 7 | 11 |
| Subaru WRX | 2014 | 6 | 10 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2019
74 of the 880 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2019 concerned the exterior lighting; Subaru of America, Inc. filed 101 campaigns in all.
| 19V895000 16 Dec 2019 | Mack Trucks, Inc. |
| 19V878000 11 Dec 2019 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. |
| 19V850000 27 Nov 2019 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 19V839000 21 Nov 2019 | Ford Motor Company |
| 19V816000 15 Nov 2019 | Newmar Corporation |
| 19V808000 12 Nov 2019 | Ford Motor Company |
| 19V799000 7 Nov 2019 | Thor Motor Coach |
| 19V795000 6 Nov 2019 | Blue Bird Body Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2019