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Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of Oil Filters

12 October 1998

Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of Oil Filters: Possible Oil Filter Leak
    CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 12 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today
announced a voluntary recall campaign on vendor-supplied oil filters
manufactured as original equipment filters for Subaru vehicles.  The campaign
involves a manufacturing error, which may cause the filter can assembly to
leak.  These original equipment filters were installed on 1998 and 1999 model
year Subaru Legacy vehicles in production between January 30, 1998 and
April 4, 1998.
    Defective oil filters could fatigue, fracture the filter can and leak
engine oil, initially as a vaporized spray.  In very few cases, the vaporized
spray may ignite if it comes in contact with hot exhaust pipes possibly
causing an under-hood fire.  The number of vehicles potentially affected is
20,306, although it is unknown how many vehicles actually contain the defect.
Additionally, service parts sold wholesale and retail under Subaru part number
15208AA060 are potentially affected.
    All registered owners of vehicles potentially affected by the voluntary
recall have been notified by first class mail.  They have been asked to return
their vehicles to a Subaru dealer for an inspection of the oil filter and
replacement when necessary.
    Owners of Subaru Legacy, Impreza and Forester vehicles who had their oil
changed at a Subaru dealer between January 21, 1998 and April 7, 1998 should
contact their Subaru dealer to have their oil filter checked for this
potential condition.
    Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan.  Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of nearly 610 franchised dealers across the United States.  All Legacy
models sold in the U.S., including the Outback and Sport Utility Sedan, are
produced at the company's American manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu
Automotive, Inc., near Lafayette, Ind.  In 1998, Subaru celebrates 30 years in
the U.S. market, having sold over three million vehicles.