Subaru Recall NY Times article link

Probably just being overly cautious but please don't tailgate too close to me just in case.

My 05 and 08 were part of the earlier recall but apparently the powers that be deemed even that to be ineffective.

Just for the northern states with salty roads.

 

brake line recall WQK-47, only affects salt-belt state cars


There is the possibility of brake line corrosion when the brake line is
exposed to salt water in the cold weather, salt-belt states of
Connecticut, Delaware, Wa, D.C.,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin.




Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel
tank protector, resulting in possible excessive corrosion and leaking
brake fluid which could affect stopping distances. Drivers should be
careful, check the brake fluid, and watch for the dashboard brake lamp
warning light.




Years include some 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza (not
WRX, STI), 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Foresters.


Owners will be notified by mail, and dealers cannot sell any cars subject to the recall.


This is recall #WQK-47  (note- this recall is similar recall #WGQ-43 for the 2005-2009 Outback/Legacy in April 2013)

And ANOTHER Recall just after the one I Posted:

 

some 2003-2004 Outback, Legacy, Baja, Impreza, WRX/STI


the recall is to replace some improperly manufactured front passenger airbag inflators on some (not all) of these models.

This is recall WQL-48

 

2003-2004 some but not all Outback, Legacy, Baja, Impreza, WRX/STI

2003 Legacy built 1/22/03-5/14/03

2004 Legacy built 3/17/03-2/10/04

2003 Outback built 2/18/;04-4/15/03

2004 Outback built 2/28'03-2/11/04

2003 Baja built 2/11/03-5/6/03

2004 Baja built 3/3/03-7/21/04

Impreza, WRX, STI built 1/8/03-5/15/03

And ANOTHER Recall just after the one I Posted:

 

some 2003-2004 Outback, Legacy, Baja, Impreza, WRX/STI

 

 

the recall is to replace some improperly manufactured front passenger airbag inflators on some (not all) of these models.

 

This is recall WQL-48

 

2003-2004 some but not all Outback, Legacy, Baja, Impreza, WRX/STI

 

2003 Legacy built 1/22/03-5/14/03

 

2004 Legacy built 3/17/03-2/10/04

 

2003 Outback built 2/18/;04-4/15/03

 

2004 Outback built 2/28'03-2/11/04

 

2003 Baja built 2/11/03-5/6/03

 

2004 Baja built 3/3/03-7/21/04

 

Impreza, WRX, STI built 1/8/03-5/15/03

 

some of those dates look odd.

 

got a link to the data?

Edited July 6, 201411 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

http://www.cars101.com/recalls.html

Just to alert all, I have had two late 90's subarus that developed leakes on the rear brake lines.  So rusting out rear brake lines, in northern states, on ALL subarus is probably going to become a common complaint as these cars age.  Unfortunately, my cars were not subject to a recall.  The brake lines should be ss in my opinion.  It's kind of a dangerous condition.

Being a neighborhood mechanic, I can atttest to the fact, it is ALL manufacturers. I just did our neighbors 2003 Chevy 1500 pickup. Also a lot of Ford products. So it's not limited to Subarus.

 

I AM surprised they stepped up to a recall.

Edited July 6, 201411 yr by ferret

The brake line corrosion also applies to the fuel lines and the fuel vent lines. The salt belt cars should all be built to prevent such unsafe failures.  It's just a matter of using cheap piping in the manufacture.  A few dollars more to use any more durable alloy would have taken care of the problem.  I had to do this job on a 97 Honda Accord and did a little research.  Next time I need to do a job like this I plan on buying enough supplies from a source such as:

 

http://store.fedhillusa.com/

 

There are other vendors with different alloys. I have had a lot of industrial experience with stainless steel as well.

Stainless steel generally does not have the pressure capacity for automotive brake lines. It can when its new, but bending the line weakens it.

But there are plenty of alloys out there that have a high burst strength and can maintain that strength after bending, while also being able to withstand a corrosive environment.

The weak spot in my 95-03 Legacy and Outbacks seems to be the brake lines which exit the body under the back seat and then run above the gas tank to the rear wheels.  Salt and sand park up there and eat the lines (and the gas tank)...

 

I've taken to using cupro nickel brake lines.  They are said to be much more resistant to corrosion and do seem easier to bend without kinking.  There is a good summary at <http://www.copper.org/applications/automotive/brake-tube/brake.html>

 

I've ordered mine from <http://www.ribetautoparts.com/>, about $25 for a 25' roll of 3/16. About 2X the cost of plain steel line, but that hardly matters when compared to the high labor and time costs of installing new lines.

http://www.cars101.com/recalls.html

 

Still seems like the date's got scrambled for the Outback - couldn't find the WQL-48 at NHTSA either. maybe too soon to show up?

Being a neighborhood mechanic, I can atttest to the fact, it is ALL manufacturers. I just did our neighbors 2003 Chevy 1500 pickup. Also a lot of Ford products. So it's not limited to Subarus.

 

I AM surprised they stepped up to a recall.

GM refuses recall. Subaru cited as doing the right thing!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/automobiles/gm-resists-recalling-trucks-over-brake-line-problem.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpSumSmallMedia&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

I just replaced a rear brake line on a 2004 Silverado a few weeks ago at work. It was rusted badly in multiple areas the entire length of the line from the ABS module, which is mounted under the drivers floor board, all the way to the rear axle. It had blown out just above the fitting where it joins the rubber hose going to the axle.

The other lines that went to the ABS module were also rusted, though not nearly as badly as the rear brake line.

Had my 2002 2500HD done in Feb this year.  Paid the shop for labor and provided the GM pre-bent kit for the lines.  Looks like OEM, hopefully  it will last longer this go round.

 

Most of the lines were so rusted that pulling on them cracked the tubing

Still seems like the date's got scrambled for the Outback - couldn't find the WQL-48 at NHTSA either. maybe too soon to show up?

 

Outback dates;

 

 

2003  Outback  02/18/2003  04/15/2003

2004  Outback  02/28/2003  02/11/2004

 

from; www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM458062/RCDNN-14V399-5724.pdf

 

 

My car's sticker on the driver's door just says 4/03 . Is there a date somewhere with the specific day?

 

anyway, we haven't moved since we bought the car so, I may just watch for a letter.

Edited July 10, 201411 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

I just did my '03 OBW rear brake lines, one let loose a few weeks ago.

I just did my '03 OBW rear brake lines, one let loose a few weeks ago.

I'd gather up the bills and present it to Subaru and see what they say.

I'd gather up the bills and present it to Subaru and see what they say.

 

Relatively few bucks for 2 pieces of steel line, some $$ for a bunch of hours on my back, and a swear-jar bill for $40,000 sounds about right.

New (second) recall just announced.  First repair not always sufficient.  Will now wax brake line to prevent moisture from forming rust.