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| © Provided by Consumers Union of United States, Inc. |
By Jeff S. Bartlett, Consumer Reports
Subaru is recalling 228,648 Legacy sedans and Outback wagons from the 2018 model year due to concerns that a software error may prevent the low-fuel warning light from illuminating as intended. The miles-to-empty display may indicate that range remains, even if the gas tank is empty.
A notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the problem could lead to stalling and thereby risk a crash.
Subaru is in the process of ensuring dealerships have the proper reprogramming tool. Paperwork filed with NHTSA indicates that it may still be a few weeks before the recall can be performed.
Owners should keep at least a quarter tank of fuel in the car until the repair work is completed, as recommended in an automaker notice to its dealers. Subaru says the problem already was fixed for its 2019 model year vehicles.
Subaru is recalling 228,648 Legacy sedans and Outback wagons from the 2018 model year due to concerns that a software error may prevent the low-fuel warning light from illuminating as intended. The miles-to-empty display may indicate that range remains, even if the gas tank is empty.
A notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the problem could lead to stalling and thereby risk a crash.
Subaru is in the process of ensuring dealerships have the proper reprogramming tool. Paperwork filed with NHTSA indicates that it may still be a few weeks before the recall can be performed.
Owners should keep at least a quarter tank of fuel in the car until the repair work is completed, as recommended in an automaker notice to its dealers. Subaru says the problem already was fixed for its 2019 model year vehicles.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 43,064 Legacy sedans and 185,584 Outback wagons from the 2018 model year.
The problem: Due to a software programming error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate as intended and the distance-to-empty indicator may show that driving range remains, even when the gas tank is empty.
The fix: Dealerships will reprogram the the combination meter software at no charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
NHTSA campaign number: 18V773000. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you enter your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and this recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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| © Provided by Consumers Union of United States, Inc. |
