Posted in News on July 11, 2014

Subaru owners in Montana will find it helpful to know that the automaker Subaru, which is renowned for its four wheel drive capabilities and safety features, has issued a safety recall that affects nearly 660,000 vehicles on the road in the United States.

The recall has been issued regarding a manufacturing defect that affects the car’s braking system. In the cars that have been recalled, there is a possibility that the vehicle’s brake lines can corrode and leak brake fluid, which in turn would adversely compromise the integrity of the brakes and the vehicles stopping ability. In a worst case scenario it could mean total brake failure.

The recall, which is posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, covers the 2009-2013 Forester and the 2008-2011 Impreza. It also includes the 2008-2014 Impreza WRX and WRX STI as well as the 2005-2009 Legacy and Outback wagon.

Not all of the aforementioned models that have been sold in the United States are being recalled. Rather, only those models that are currently registered or have been at any point in the past have been registered in states where corrosive road salt is used during winter. This list does not include Montana, but consumer advocates have argued that such specific geographical recalls may miss identifying this potentially dangerous car defect in vehicles where the owners have moved or brought a car from someone in one the specific states. Nevertheless, regardless of the specific geographical recall, the automaker has indicated that any Subaru owner of the aforementioned models cab bring that vehicle in for inspection and get a free repair of the problem if necessary.

Car defects can potentially lead to serious injuries and even death. With recent news dominating product liability cases against car manufacturers, any Montana resident who believes that they suffered harm due to a car defect may want to consult with a product liability attorney for information. Depending on the circumstances, an injured individual may be able to bring a product liability suit against the negligent automobile manufacturer, in order to seek compensation for the harms he or she suffered.

Source: The New York Times, “Subaru Recalls 660,000 Vehicles for Brake Line Corrosion,” Christopher Jensen, July 3, 2014