The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·13E005000·Announced 2013-01-29

Fram Recalls Subaru Oil Filters Due to Leak and Fire Risk

Fram is recalling certain Subaru oil filters that may leak oil, causing rapid loss of engine oil and potential fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (oil filter gasket leak) that poses a risk of fire, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Fram Group Operations, LLC is recalling certain Subaru original service equipment oil filters sold for installation on Subaru Legacy, Outback, Impreza, and Forester model vehicles equipped with certain 4-cylinder engines. The recall involves approximately 282,514 units.

Due to manufacturing anomalies, engine oil may leak from around the oil filter gasket upon engine start-up. This can cause a rapid loss of nearly all engine oil. Oil on hot engine or exhaust surfaces can result in smoke and possibly a fire.

Fram will replace the defective oil filters free of charge. Owners may contact Fram at 1-800-890-2075, Option 2, or visit www.fram.com/Subaru_recall for more information. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
EQUIPMENT recall
Manufacturer
Fram Group Operatons, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Oil Filter
Hazard
Affected units
282,514

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls