Recalls: Subaru GE/GH 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 GE/GH Impreza
Subaru GE/GH Impreza with tow-bar: inadequate welding and/or incorrect bolts
In April 2009, a recall was issued for Subaru GE/GH Impreza models fitted with a genuine accessory Subaru tow-bar and sold until 28 February 2009. For these vehicles, some tow-bars may have been manufactured with inadequate welding on the tow-ball mount (commonly known as the towing tongue or goose-neck) and/or incorrect specification bolts that anchor the tow-bar arms to the chassis rails (PRA 2009/10731). The recalled vehicles were as follows –
- Impreza sedans:
- Model year 2009;
- Chassis number: 002001 to 006088; and,
- Tow-bar part number: L101AFG100;
- Impreza hatch:
- Model year 2008 and 2009;
- Chassis number: 002001 to 028403; and,
- Tow-bar part number: L101SFG000.
2008-14 model year Subaru Impreza: front passenger airbag hazard
In November 2016, a recall was issued for 2008 and 2009 model year Subaru Impreza vehicles; this recall, however, was subsequently extended to cover 2008 to 2014 model year Impreza vehicles. In these vehicles, the inflator for the front passenger airbag contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. As a result, the airbag may inflate in an overly aggressive manner that could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture. If this occurred, metal fragments could be dispersed throughout the cabin, posing a hazard to occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Subaru Impreza vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15766.
2008-10 model year Subaru GE/GH Impreza: fuel pump failure
In June 2018, a recall (campaign SI0428) was issued for 2008-10 model year Subaru GE/GH Impreza vehicles. In these vehicles, the fuel pump harness connector could deteriorate over time – this could cause:
- The fuel pump to stop working;
- Extended engine cranking on start-up;
- The engine not to start; and,
- At worst, the engine to stall.
A stalled engine and/or inability to start or restart the engine could pose a safety risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16850.
Subaru GE/GH Impreza: recall of like-for-like replacement Takata airbags
In April 2019, recall campaign SRT-271 was issued for Subaru GE/GH 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.
Subaru GE/GH Impreza: defective replacement ignition switch
In June 2019, recall campaign SRT 272 was issued for Subaru GE/GH Impreza vehicles because a replacement ignition switch may have had imperfections in its ball springs. Over time, these imperfections could cause the ignition switch to fail and the key may inadvertently move from the ‘ON’ position to the ‘ACC’ position while the vehicle was moving. If this occurred, the engine would stop running (causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down and stop) and the power supply to the SRS airbag would be cut (so that the airbag would not deploy in the event of a collision). As such, the vehicle would pose a hazard to occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17514.
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 GE/GH 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.
Problems and faults: Subaru GE/GH Impreza
- For manual models, the idle may not return to its normal rpm when the clutch is depressed; if so, the engine control computer may require reprogramming.
- Coolant may come out of the overflow reservoir due to debris in the radiator cap – this can be fixed by shortening the overflow hose so that it does not extend to the bottom of the reservoir.
- The boot may not close after the emergency release is activated, requiring the release cable to be re-routed.
- Water may leak into the front foot wells from fended seams that were not properly sealed.
