RECALL SUBJECT:
Subaru Corporation
MANUFACTURER:
Subaru Corporation
SUMMARY:
Subaru Corporation is offering consumers an extended warranty on the continuously variable transmission (CVT) on approximately 1.5 million vehicles after concerns were raised about transmission problems that may cause the vehicle to stall on model year 2012-2017 vehicles.
Affected vehicle owners were notified by the automaker of the warranty extension in July 2017, but many consumers are not satisfied with the company’s actions or the inaction of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has yet to issue a recall of the vehicles for the concerning transmission issues.
A warranty extension is much different from a recall, in that recalls require the manufacturer to fix every vehicle that could potentially be affected, not just the ones that exhibit issues. In addition, the automaker must detail its completion rates in regular filings with the NHTSA. With the warranty extension, Subaru will only fix vehicles that exhibit problems and the company can set a time limit on the warranty, for example, for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Critics of the action argue that many of the affected vehicles are likely at or close to the 100,000-mile warranty limit already. This means that necessary repairs may not be performed, and owners risk the vehicle stalling out and potentially being harmed in a crash.
Lawsuit Subject: If someone is hurt or killed in a crash caused by the continuously variable transmission issues that Subaru is aware of, they may be eligible to take legal action to hold the manufacturer accountable for their pain, suffering, medical bills, and other expenses associated with the accident. It is clear that Subaru is aware of the issue, and instead of fixing the problem for all vehicles, they are merely offering an extended warranty to only address some of the vehicles in question, potentially jeopardizing the lives of countless drivers and passengers.
In order to avoid such hazards caused by transmission problems, owners of vehicles not covered by the extended warranty (due to excess mileage, for example) may have to pay for costly repairs. The problematic transmissions could also negatively affect the resale value of vehicles.
CONSEQUENCE:
Transmission issues on specific models of Subaru vehicles can cause the engine to stall at inopportune times, putting the driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk.
SOLUTION:
If you own one of the Subaru models affected, your warranty has been extended by the manufacturer from five years or 60,000 miles to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• 2010-2015 Legacy and Outback
• 2014-2015 Forester with turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder
• 2012-15 Impreza
• 2014-15 Crosstrek Hybrid
• 2014-15 Forester with 2.5 liter four-cylinder
• 2013-15 Crosstrek
• 2015 Legacy and Outback with 3.6 liter V-6
• 2015 WRX 2.0
Vehicles that are older or have a mileage higher than the warranty have been issued a one-year warranty extension that ends on July 31, 2018.