Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of Oil Filters
12 October 1998
Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of Oil Filters: Possible Oil Filter LeakCHERRY 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.