Subaru Loyale recalls

4 official safety recalls for the Subaru Loyale from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Front seat belt buckle buttons may break

    Reported May 24, 1995Model years 1990NHTSA campaign 95V103006100,825 vehicles affected

    A release button can break, allowing pieces into the buckle and causing it to work improperly. The seat belt may not protect an occupant adequately in a crash. Check both buckles; a dealer will repair or replace a faulty buckle free of charge. A remedy for buttons that are not broken is being developed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
    Defect
    THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
    Consequence
    THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. DL, GL AND LOYALE MODELS INVOLVE ONLY 3-DOOR COUPES, OTHER MODELS IN THESE SERIES ARE NOT INVOLVED.NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SUPPLIED THE MODEL VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  2. Transmission vent may freeze and cause oil leak

    Reported March 23, 1994Model years 1990–1993NHTSA campaign 94V05200031,295 vehicles affected

    In extremely cold, humid conditions, moisture may freeze at the oil level gauge and block the transmission vent. Pressure may push out the rear seal, causing an oil leak; the transmission could lose lubrication, seize and bring the vehicle to a sudden stop. Dealers will modify the gauge pipe and modify or replace the dipstick.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
    Defect
    WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
    Consequence
    SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: POWERTRAIN; TRANSMISSION; 5 SPEED.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: XT-6 AND LEGACY ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND LOYALE EQUIPPED WITH AN ON-DEMAND 4 WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS; REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: AK, CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI.NOTE: IF YOUR EQUIPMENT IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU SERVICE AT 1-800-782-2783. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  3. Transmission may not fully engage Park

    Reported June 11, 1991Model years 1990–1991NHTSA campaign 91V09100019,763 vehicles affected

    Incorrectly adjusted shift linkage may leave the transmission short of Park, allowing the vehicle to roll away while running or on an incline and potentially crash. The transmission park mechanism will be repaired.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
    Defect
    TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE ENGAGED IN A FULL PARK POSITION WHEN PLACED IN PARK.
    Consequence
    IF TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM IS NOT IN PARK WHILE THEVEHICLE IS RUNNING OR ON AN INCLINE, A RUNAWAY SITUATION WOULD OCCUR WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CARS INCLUDING FRONT AND FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES EQUIPPEDWITH THE 3AT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

  4. Transmission may release from Park with a delay

    Reported May 30, 1991Model years 1989–1990NHTSA campaign 91V08200076,000 vehicles affected

    Under certain load conditions, the transmission may not immediately release from Park when shifted to Reverse, causing delayed or abrupt movement and possible loss of control and a crash. A modified parking brake pawl will be installed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
    Defect
    UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
    Consequence
    DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONS (4EAT).

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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