Recalls: Subaru GD/GG Impreza
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Subaru GD/GG Impreza
2001-02 Subaru GD/GG Impreza automatic: vehicle may roll away
In November 2002, a recall was issued for Subaru Impreza models fitted with an automatic transmission and manufactured from June 2001 to July 2002. For these vehicles, the parking pawl mechanism may fail to restrain the vehicle when parked if the handbrake was not applied correctly. If an recalled vehicle was restrained in a parking situation by the parking pawl mechanism only, the vehicle may roll away (PRA 2002/5824).
2001-03 model year Subaru Impreza wagon: tailgate could close unexpectedly
In September 2008, a recall was issued for certain 2001 to 2003 model year Subaru Impreza wagons due to the tailgate struts not having been sufficiently tightened during production. If one or both of the stud bolts were inadequately tightened, the loose stud bolt may put unintended stress at the area around the welded nut. Over time and repeated operation, this condition could result in the welded nut and tailgate separating from the tailgate, causing it to close unexpectedly (PRA 2008/10291). The recalled vehicles could be identified by their chassis numbers as follows:
- Model year 2001: 002001 to 006810;
- Model year 2002: 009010 to 014082; and,
- Model year 2003: 015001 to 015023.
2004-07 model year Subaru GD/GG Impreza: Takata airbag recall
In May 2015, a recall was issued for 2004 to 2007 model year Subaru Impreza vehicles equipped with a Takata front passenger airbag. In these vehicles, propellant wafers in the passenger’s front airbag may experience moisture intrusion over time. If this occurred, the inflator assembly may be more susceptible to rupture during airbag deployment and metallic fragments could contact an occupant. The recalled Impreza vehicles had serial numbers (i.e. the last six digits of the VIN) in the following ranges:
- MY2004: 021344 to 045216;
- MY2005: 024602 to 058988;
- MY2006: 024801 to 057412; and,
- MY2007: 034808 to 073605.
In August 2017, however, this recall was extended to include an additional eight (8) VINs.For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2015/14715.
2004-07 model year Subaru GD/GG Impreza: passenger airbag inflator installed in reverse
In December 2017, a recall was issued for 2004-07 model year Subaru GD/GG Impreza vehicles that had previously been recalled for PRA 2015/14715. For these vehicles, the replacement front passenger airbag inflators may have been installed incorrectly (in reverse). In the event of a collision that would ordinarily cause the passenger airbag to deploy, that airbag may not deploy as designed, thereby increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. For the VINs of the recalled Subaru GD/GG Impreza vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16483.
Subaru GD/GG Impreza: recall of like-for-like replacement Takata airbags
In April 2019, recall campaign SRT-271 was issued for Subaru GD/GG Impreza vehicles that had previously been recalled for ‘like-for-like’ replacement of their Takata airbags. As such, recall campaign SRT-271 was issued so that the replacement Takata airbags – which had the same defect whereby propellant wafers could absorb moisture over time – could be replaced with defect-free airbags. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17508.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Subaru vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Subaru Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Subaru GD/GG Impreza
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
EJ25 head gasket failure
The 2.5-litre EJ25 F4 engine was susceptible to head gasket failure due to:
- An external coolant leak (typically from the left side head gasket); or,
- In rare cases, internal failure of the gasket which allowed coolant into the combustion chamber.
- Symptoms: early signs of head gasket failure include an oily residue in the coolant overflow bottle, or an exhaust/fuel/sulfur smell in the coolant overflow bottle. Beyond this, the coolant temperature gauge may intermittently show higher-than-normal readings, followed by intermittent overheating (particularly during long highway drives). In the case of external leaks, these can be spotted by a visual inspection of the bottom side of the engine with the splash pan removed.
- Prevention: to minimise the risk of head gasket failure, 1) oil and coolant should be changed regularly and in accordance with how the car is used. As such, the scheduled time/kilometre intervals may be inadequate in some cases; and, 2) any corrosion around battery cables should be removed. Corroded battery cables increased ground circuit resistance, thereby increasing the voltage in the cooling system and causing electrolysis; the coolant could also damage the metal head gasket and seals. From 2003, the number of ground straps was increased to reduce corrosion.
Problems and faults: Subaru GD/GG Impreza
- If the clutch pedal does not fully return to its original position, the clutch fluid line and slave cylinder may require replacement.
- The remote central locking transmitter buttons may be activated inadvertently; an improved case was subsequently released to overcome this problem.
- The seatbelt male latch may slide down the belt because the top button breaks or falls out, requiring the button to be replaced.
- The washers for the windscreen and/or rear window may not work properly unless revised check valves have been installed in the hoses.
