interesting thing found on nasioc.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:45 pm

Originally Posted by NHTSA Press Release
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
SAAB / 9-2X 2005-2006
SUBARU / FORESTER 2003-2008
SUBARU / IMPREZA 2002-2007

Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: SEP 06, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V464000 NHTSA Action Number: PE11011

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Potential Number of Units Affected: 295,123

Summary:
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

Consequence:
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
SUBARU DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Notes:
THIS IS SUBARU'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER WVX-34. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

i will eventually get mine looked at, for the upcoming snow season.i got mine from blacksburg virginia.. near WV.. so it has seen bad roads and rough conditions, before playing in mud with me, and snow and ice and whatever.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I just picked up my WRX tonight from Johnson Subaru, there was a "not a recall" extended 12 year warranty for a leaking fuel line... in cold weather I would get fuel smell inside the cabin. Finally had that taken care of. Fun to have someone do warranty work on a car with 150k miles

They told me that I have an open recall for the control arms and have ordered parts. I was surprised, but remembered that the car was registered in Ohio for a year or 2, that did it.

It first I didn't care, but some research indicates that the replacement control arms come with new outer balljoints, new inner rubber bushings, and new rear (fluid filled) bushings too. Now I'm excited, I was planning on replacing the balljoints and rear bushings out of pocket.

Will post back once I figure out what I'm getting. Other 02-03 owners might want to push for replacement just to get some new wear items.

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:44 am

yeah, kevin had the same fuel line issue as you. i guess a majority of them had it.. ?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Confirmed that the new control arms come with outer balljoints, inner bushings, and rear large bushings and aluminum carrier, all ready to install, with all new hardware. I am guessing/assuming they are still steel arms, but maybe beefed up a bit.

It's a new kit part number 20090sa000 which I assume includes 20202FE160 and 20202FE170, about $450 worth of parts.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:25 am

Can't beat that at all Mike. Almost like buying a winning lottery ticket

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Update -- they finally got the control arms in, which was good timing, because I just got a check engine light for a CVV solenoid that they had broken and glued back together when installing the fuel rail.

So the update -- the new control arms DO come with the balljoint and inner rubber bushing, but do NOT come with new big rear bushings as I was previously told.

Since they were overnighting a new CVV solenoid anyways, I had them order the STi/Group N transverse bushings. Using new ones will actually save them a bit of time versus swapping the old ones, so no labor charge. They were like $50 each.

Got a service loaner Forester. It's meh, ok.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:22 am

That's pretty impressive customer care.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

clinehall wrote:

That's pretty impressive customer care.

I don't step foot in car dealerships very often but I can say that Johnson Subaru does not suck. Got to hang out in their waiting area for an hour yesterday enjoying their free coffee, wifi, and snacks. Nice place.

THSCC Forums

interesting thing found on nasioc.

Who is online