2004 Subaru Baja

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

SUBARU WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-277) ON ALL 15, 633 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 AND MY 2006 BAJA VEHICLES, INCLUDING TURBO AND NON-TURBO MODELS.SUBARU HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN WHICH CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTION (NIPPLE) ON THE OUTLET (PRESSURE) SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP.THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A PRESSURIZED LEAK OF GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP.SUBARU'S ANALYSIS OF SAMPLE PARTS COLLECTED FROM THE FIELD CONFIRMED THE ISSUE TO BE LIMITED TO MY 2005 AND MY 2006 VEHICLES ONLY.SUBARU DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP BRACKET, INCLUDING ALL NIPPLES, WITH A VERSION THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED FOR INCREASED STRENGTH.PLEASE SEE SUBARU'S DEFECT REPORT IN THE RECALL FILE (09V-277) FOR MORE DETAILS.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTION (NIPPLE) ON THE OUTLET (PRESSURE) SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP.THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LEAKAGE OF GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP.AS A RESULT OF ADDITIONAL REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY SUBARU IN RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA 09-007.

THE THROTTLE PEDAL LOOSES SIGNAL TO THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY THROTTLE INPUT. A CHECK ENGINE CODE P2138 ALSO OCCURS AS THE THROTTLE LOOSES CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM IS MOST EVIDENT IN WINTER MONTHS WITH HIGHER HUMIDITY AND HIGH TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION. EACH TIME THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED THE CAR HAS BEEN MOVING BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS RESULTING IN BEING FORCED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS TO NOT ONLY PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE BUT HOSE AROUND IT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL POWER.

NHTSA ID

11041437

Incident

Oct 29, 2017

Mileage

158,200 mi

I CALLED MY LOCATION DEAER IN TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN OVER A YEAR AGO THEY SAID THEY WOULD PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM OVER A YEAR AGO ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG RECAL

NHTSA ID

11033920

Incident

Sep 15, 2016

FUEL LEAKS AROUND CLAMPED RUBBER HOSES IN AND AROUND INTAKE MANIFOLD ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THE FUMES FROM THESE LEAKS ARE EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED AND ENTER THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE VENTS. I HAVE GREAT CONCERN FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10968470

Incident

Feb 4, 2017

Mileage

91,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL-HAVE BEEN WAITING 4 MONTHS-NO ONE CAN SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE? I THINK 4 MONTHS IS LONG ENOUGH.

NHTSA ID

10916214

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

"GHOST WALKING" I PURCHASED THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO FROM MY FATHER WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER FOR THE LARGEST SHIPPING COMPANY IN THE US AND HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR THEM FOR OVER 30 YEARS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR HE CAUTIONED ME THAT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WANDERS WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE DOESN'T PROVIDE CONSISTENT TRACTION TO BOTH REAR TIRES. THIS OCCURS ON ANY SURFACE AT VARYING DEGREES WHILE MOVING STRAIGHT ON A LEVEL ROAD, UP HILL, DOWN HILL, ON CORNERS, WHILE ACCELERATING/BRAKING OR COASTING. EXAMPLES WHICH CAUSE THIS ARE SMALL TO LARGE POTHOLES, CRACKS IN THE ROAD SURFACE, DRIVING WITH ONE TIRE ON THE PAINTED LINE IN THE ROAD (VERY NOTICEABLE SURGING AND CAN BE SCARY WHEN THE ROAD IS WET), SAND OR GRAVEL ON THE SHOULDER OF A PAVED ROAD EFFECTING ONE SIDE OF THE CAR ONLY, PUDDLES, SLIGHT SNOW/SLUSH COVER, ETC. HAVING HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS IT IS SOMETHING I EXPERIENCE DAILY, AND THE CAR IS DOWNRIGHT SCARY, UNSAFE IN SOME CONDITIONS. I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY GOOD DRIVER, I'M 35 AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DESPITE DRIVING ABOUT 35K MILES A YEAR. THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS, I HAVE NO DOUBT MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT, I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER. I CANNOT SELL THIS CAR WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE UNLESS I CONVEY THIS SAFETY HAZARD TO A POTENTIAL BUYER SO THE VALUE HAS ALSO BEEN DESTROYED BY THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND CROSS MY FINGERS THAT SUBARU OWNS UP TO IT BEFORE ANY MORE PEOPLE (OR MYSELF) SUFFER THE LOSS OF PROPERTY OR LIFE. I WILL ALSO ADD THAT IT GOES THROUGH REAR TIRES QUICKER THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE DESPITE BEING IN PROPER ALIGNMENT. AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, IT SEEMS TO BE EXAGGERATED IF THERE IS ANY AMOUNT OF ADDED CARGO WEIGHT OR ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS. STEP UP SUBARU, PREVIOUS LOYAL OWNERS ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES IN MY AREA.

NHTSA ID

10865610

Incident

May 18, 2016

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN STARTED IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND PERSISTING EVEN ONCE CAR HAS WARMED UP. SO SEVERE AS TO CAUSE NAUSEA AND FOGGING OF INTERIOR WINDOWS. HAD TO DRIVE IN VERY COLD WEATHER WITH WINDOWS DOWN TO VENT FUMES. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS LEAKING FUEL LINES AROUND INTAKE MANIFOLD (EXACTLY LIKE RECALL FOR 05 AND 06 MODEL YEARS). $1200 REPAIR ESTIMATE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10690709

Incident

Feb 17, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

FUEL LEAK SAME AS 2005-2006 RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10663615

Incident

Nov 29, 2013

Mileage

102,000 mi

I NOTICED AN EXTREME SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE UP ON AN ESPECIALLY COLD MORNING (<10 DEGREES), AND I FOUND THE LEAK COMING FROM ONE OF THE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE SMELL IS VERY, VERY EXTREME IN THE EARLY MORNINGS WHEN IT'S COLDEST, BAD ENOUGH THAT MY BOYFRIEND GETS NAUSEOUS FROM IT, BUT IT HASN'T GONE AWAY AT ALL DESPITE IT GETTING WARMER RECENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659506

Incident

Nov 17, 2014

Mileage

121,764 mi

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.