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Subaru of
America, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall of 2000
Through Certain Very Early 2003 Model Year Legacy,
Outback and Baja Vehicles in `Salt Belt' States
- Campaign to Address a Possible
Rear Suspension Corrosion Problem -
CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru
of America, Inc., the only car company that offers
symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment on
every vehicle in its product line, today announced a
voluntary recall on certain 2000-2001 models, some
2002 models, and very early production 2003 models
including Subaru Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles in
"salt-belt" states to address a possible
rear suspension corrosion problem.
This recall involves Subaru Legacy, Outback, and
very early production Baja vehicles. Model years
include 2000 through 2001, some 2002 models, and
approximately 45 very early production 2003 vehicles.
The vehicles were produced between May 1, 1999 and
April 30, 2002. Approximately 170,000 vehicles are
potentially affected in the "salt belt"
region. This recall will include vehicles originally
sold and/or currently registered in the states of CT,
DE, DC, IA, IL, IN, KY, ME, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH,
NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, and WI.
Certain rear suspension subframe components were
produced by a supplier with poor paint quality which,
after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a
period of several years, may result in rusting of the
component and eventual breakage of the subframe. If
such breakage would occur while the vehicle is being
operated, control of the vehicle could be affected.
The campaign was launched as a result of Subaru
field inspections and quality assurance testing. There
have been no accidents or injuries attributed to this
problem.
The rear suspension subframe of vehicles operated
in the "salt-belt" states will be cleaned
and rust-proofed with anti-rust oil and anti-rust wax
at no cost to the owner. Subaru will provide a
campaign bulletin to dealers, and in late June or
early July a recall notice will be sent to all
registered owners who have already purchased one of
the affected vehicles, advising them of the potential
defect.
For additional information about Subaru of America,
Inc. and Subaru vehicles, visit the company's media
web site at www.media.subaru.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan.
Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets
and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts
and accessories through a network of nearly 600
dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only
manufacturer to have all-wheel drive as standard
equipment on every vehicle they make. Subaru has been
the best-selling import wagon in America for the past
20 years, based on R.L. Polk & Company new vehicle
retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2002.
Contacts: Lisa Fleming Don Bearden
Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093 (856) 488-8644
lfleming@subaru.com dbearden@subaru.com
Source: Subaru of
America, Inc.
CONTACT: Lisa Fleming, +1-856-488-5093, or lfleming@subaru.com,
or Don
Bearden, +1-856-488-8644, or dbearden@subaru.com,
both of Subaru of America
Web site: http://www.media.subaru.com/
Web site: http://www.subaru.com/
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