Subaru recalls model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles because the steering column may be improperly machined by supplier NSK Steering Systems America so that turning the steering wheel will have no effect on the direction of the front wheels. The safety recall for a simple machining problem comes after Subaru added “Reverse Auto Braking” and “High Beam Assist” via electronic programing on 2017 Outback and Legacy models.
More than 48,000 Legacy and Outback models are thus far involved in a potentially severe safety defect that has Subaru advising owners to park and not drive their cars until a dealer can inspect them. There is also a stop sale in place for dealers, a federal regulation.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the so-called lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge as is required by U.S. law. The recall began 13 May 2016, according to documents just made public by NHTSA.
Chronology:
- May 3, 2016: A customer reported a problem with the steering on a 2016MY Subaru Outback and had the vehicle towed to a Subaru dealer. The vehicle was inspected by a technician, who requested a consultation with a Field Service Engineer.
- May 5, 2016: The Field Service Engineer inspected vehicle with Engineer representatives from component manufacturer NSK Steering Systems America, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, and Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Quality Assurance.
- They performed a vehicle inspection, including a bore scope look at the spline for the universal joint / slip joint for the telescopic steering wheel. The group was able to duplicate the safety defect during the inspection.
- The removed vehicle column underwent further inspection to isolate the safety defect.
- Inspection revealed no conclusive root cause of concern. The steering column was collected and returned to supplier NSK Steering Systems America for further disassembly and inspection for final results.
- May 9, 2016: Fuji Heavy Industries USA, concluded that Subaru will conduct a stop-sale of all potentially affected vehicles in the U.S. market.
- May 10, 2016: FHI concluded that Subaru will perform a safety defect recall.
Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTD-65. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
