Subaru Legacy-outback-4x4-wagon 1997

• Recall 4829 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  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.
  also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 6450 [USA]: If the alternator fails, the alternator warning telltale will alert the driver to the problem, giving ample opportunity to seek repair before a loss of battery power, which, if the warning were ignored, could ultimately result in a loss of vehicle power (engine stall).
  This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have an alternator problem that can result in a loss of charging capability.
  dealers will replace the alternator with a modified alternator. Owners will also be cautioned that, should the alternator telltale warning lamp illuminate, they must seek immediate repair to avoid the eventual loss of electrical power, which could result in an engine stall.
  subaru has decided to conduct a service program to replace the alternator. This replacement campaign will be conducted in phases.Owner notification began november 15, 2000.Owners can contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783, concerning this program.

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• Recall 10475 [USA]: 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.
  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.
  dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.
  owner notification began june 29, 1998. 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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 13995 [USA]: This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.
  dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).
  owner notification began june 15, 1998.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. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 14185 [USA]: Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.
  dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.
  owner notification began april 27, 1998. 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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 16383 [USA]: The switch could stick in an intermediate position when deactivating, resulting in the turn signals becoming inoperable.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient clearance within the hazard warning light switch housing can cause a binding between the actuating button and the housing.
  dealers will install a modified hazard warning switch.
  owner notification is expected to begin january 5, 1998. 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.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 2001183 [Canada]: Other
  Certain passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs.The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring. 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. Correction: dealers will notify 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.

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• Recall 2000069 [Canada]: Other
  Certain vehicle do not comply with regulation 6 - statement of compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle classification. Correction: no corrective action will be taken for existing vehicles. Correct compliance label will be affixed in current production vehicles.

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• Recall 1998029 [Canada]: Engine
  The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly may not have been installed on these vehicles. This could eventually lead to incomplete return of the throttle valve and consequently a high idling condition. Correction: throttle body will be inspected and if the bearing is missing, the throttle body will be replaced.

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• Recall 1998030 [Canada]: Powertrain
  The automatic transmission shift lever assemblies on these vehicles may fail due to poor welds within the assembly. This can result in stuck ignition keys, broken shift levers/linkages and improper movement of shift levers. Correction: automatic shift lever assembly will be replaced with one furnished by a different supplier.

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• Recall 1998107 [Canada]: Suspension
  A weld fracture may occur on the hanger bracket of the front transverse links. This could result in separation of the bracket with subsequent failure of the lower suspension mounting and loss of vehicle control. Correction: front transverse links will be inspected and replaced if necessary.

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• Recall 1997200 [Canada]: Lights and instruments
  The hazard warning flasher button can bind in the housing causing continued operation of the hazard warning lamps, or their being turned off but the turn signals becoming inoperable. Correction: dealers will install a modified hazard warning switch.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Electrical system investigation # PE99067

  Odi has received 5,820 complaints concerning a variety of electrical system failures that result in the vehicle stalling.Our complaint analysis indicates that the majority of these compaints are caused by alternator failure.In some instances, the vehicle is completely dead and will not restart.Based on our investigation and the manufacturers respomse, odi is closing this investigation because the manufacturer has agreed to perform the owner nortification program cited above, including quarterly notifications to odi.This program allows owners to get their alternator replaced for free.Further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exists.Odi will continue to monitor this matter closely, and the agency reserves the right to take further action on these models if warranted by the circumstances.
  

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Car was sometimes difficult to start, other times it would stall/hesitate when in motion on city street. Discovered to be caused by aged/worn fuel pump causing overcurrent draw that fails to blow fuse causing meltdown in wiring harness connector where pigtail from pump connects to the chassis side of the wiring harness. Heat/spark potential is created in close proximity to fuel tank that has many reported cases of fuel filler neck rusting off and leaking fuel. A quick google search reveals that a number of people, with photos, have experienced this failure. Photo provided is from internet but the result is the same.

Car was sometimes difficult to start, other times it would stall/hesitate when in motion on city street. Discovered to be caused by aged/worn fuel pump causing overcurrent draw that fails to blow fuse causing meltdown in wiring harness connector where pigtail from pump connects to the chassis side of the wiring harness. Heat/spark potential is created in close proximity to fuel tank that has many reported cases of fuel filler neck rusting off and leaking fuel. A quick google search reveals that a number of people, with photos, have experienced this failure. Photo provided is from internet but the result is the same.

1997 subaru legacy outback. Came out to my parked vehicle with the right front tire flat due to part of the suspension spring being snapped and sticking into inside of the tire. Spring was intact when i parked it. Frightening to think if that had happened while driving on the highway of which i was the day before this happened.

1997 subaru legacy gt 2.5l engine, approx. 92k miles, engine started overheating. Car was taken to two different repair facilities and diagnosed as blown head gasket after pressure test, block test, no signs of leaking. Car had been serviced faithfully by original owner at subaru dealerships since purchase. I found out this is a common problem from repair facilities with this model and engine but when questioned subaru dealership they said it couldn't have happened as head gasket and cooling system are not related (?) and problem was a cracked block or cylinder. Estimated cost to replace head gasket $2450-. Estimated cost to replace engine $5700-. I had also had a problem where the fuel filler tube that connects to the gas tank from where you pur the gasoline in from the pump had rusted away and leaked fuel onto the ground. I had that replaced at approx. Cost of $400-. Again subaru denied there was a problem when i called the dealership. These problems occurred with in six months of each other. *tr

When the gas tank is filled above half a tank, fuel leaks onto the ground in large amounts near the rear of the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous since a spark or cigarette would cause an explosion. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle became stuck in park. The failure was recurring. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer, who lubricated the automatic transmission shifter but to no avail. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken back for further diagnosis and it was advised that the part required for the repair was no longer available. The authorized dealer advised the contact to purchase the shift lock module and an authorized dealer would repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 75000. Updated 06/10/14 ma the consumer was informed, the part was no longer available. Updated 07/23/14

My fuel filler rusted off @ the fuel tank causing it to leak on the ground when the tank is nearly full.I have read other complaints about this problem.It's a big job for a diy.You need to drop the rear differential , drive shaft , muffler , etc..Is this something subaru covers cost wise? *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 subaru legacy. The contact attempted to start the ignition and the engine failed to start. The battery was jump started; however the failure recurred while driving. The battery was recharged for a second time. The contact replaced the battery terminal due to severe rust and corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 02/28/12 *bf the consumer stated battery corrosion destroyed the negative terminal. Updated 03/08/12

Gasoline filler tube on subaru legacy models (1994 & 1997) rust out and cause very serious danger from possible fire/explosion due to leaking fuel. This appears to be a very common problem for subaru owners and costly ($350+) to repair. This part was replaced on both a 1994 and a 1997 subaru legacy and the repair shop indicated that this is a common problem that they have dealt with quite often. I feel the problem is very dangerous and should be addressed by the manufacturer. *tr