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Voluntary Recall of Subaru 1998-1999 Forester and Legacy Vehicles

9 April 1999

Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of 1998-1999 Forester and Legacy Vehicles

  Company Issues National Recall to Inspect/Repair Possible Braking Circuit
                    Malfunction in Extreme Cold Conditions

    CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 9 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today
announced a voluntary recall campaign on its 1998-1999 model year Forester and
Legacy vehicles, including Outback models.
    The campaign involves a replacement of the brake master cylinder to remedy
a possible malfunction of the secondary braking circuit on some 1998-1999
model year Forester and Legacy vehicles equipped with anti-lock brake systems
(ABS).
    This recall affects approximately 221,000 vehicles excluding 1999
2.2 liter Legacy models (Brighton, L and Postal Legacy).  There have been no
reported accidents or injuries.
    In extremely cold weather (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit and below), during
normal light brake application, a small number of the affected vehicles have
experienced increased pedal travel and stopping distance.  These conditions
are caused by an internal valve in the master cylinder momentarily sticking
open and causing decreased braking pressure in the secondary circuit.  The
primary circuit of the master cylinder continues to operate properly.
    Owners who experience this condition can recover full braking performance
by quickly releasing the brake pedal and then depressing it sharply one time.
If an owner experiences this condition, the vehicle should be taken or
transported to a Subaru dealer for inspection.
    All registered owners of vehicles potentially affected by the voluntary
recall will be notified by first class mail.  The company will notify owners
in cold weather areas first.
    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 600 franchised dealers across the United States.  All Legacy
models sold in the U.S., including Outback models, are produced at the
company's American manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc., near
Lafayette, Ind.  Forester models are imported from Japan.

    For more information, contact:  Richard Marshall, 609-488-3327, or
Kim Marino, 609-488-8578, or Don Bearden, 609-488-8644, all of Subaru.