Subaru Recalls Vehicles for Brake Light Switch Malfunction Risk
Subaru is recalling specific Impreza, WRX, Forester, and Crosstrek models because a faulty brake light switch may prevent lights from working or the vehicle from starting.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall addresses a structural vehicle defect where brake lights may fail to illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash, but the source text does not report any specific injuries or fatalities.
Plain-English summary
Subaru of America, Inc. 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. The recall involves approximately 1.3 million vehicles.
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction. This defect can prevent the brake lights from illuminating, which fails to alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the malfunction may prevent keyless ignition vehicles from starting and prevent CVT/automatic transmissions from being shifted out of Park.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- SUBARU IMPREZA, WRX, FORESTER, CROSSTREK
- Brand
- SUBARU
- Manufacturer
- Subaru of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Brake Light Switch
- Affected units
- 1,303,530
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (4)
- IMPREZA
- WRX
- FORESTER
- CROSSTREK
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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