2021-2023 Subaru vehicles recalled for inhibitor switch weld defect
Subaru is recalling 2021-2023 Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, and Outback vehicles. A weld defect in the inhibitor switch allows water to enter and cause the switch to fail, disabling reverse lights and camera display, increasing crash risk.
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 involves a faulty switch component affecting critical safety functions (reverse lighting and visibility), increasing crash risk. However, no injuries or crashes have been reported, placing it in the High category per the rubric criteria for risk-of-harm products without reported injuries.
Plain-English summary
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2021-2023 model year vehicles: 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and 2021-2023 Outback. The vehicles have an insufficient weld in the park/neutral start interlock switch that may allow water to enter the switch, causing it to fail.
When the inhibitor switch fails, the reverse lights may not illuminate and the rearview camera image may not display. This reduces visibility when reversing and increases the risk of a crash.
Subaru will replace the inhibitor switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 8, 2024. Affected owners should contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for service information.
The recalled product
- Product
- SUBARU OUTBACK, LEGACY, CROSSTREK, FORESTER
- Brand
- SUBARU
- Manufacturer
- Subaru of America, Inc.
- Affected units
- 95,830
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)
- OUTBACK
- LEGACY
- CROSSTREK
- FORESTER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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