Subaru recalls three biggest-sellers

SUBARU has recalled 5588 examples of its three most popular models after discovering a fault with the engine wiring that could cause the car to stall.

The recall campaign announced today advises that 2459 Impreza models, 1455 XVs and 1674 (previous-generation) Foresters built between January 20 and April 9, 2012 are at risk.

A statement from the company’s Australian arm said vehicle manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries had informed it that affected vehicles could have a misrouted engine wiring harness.

“Due to possible misrouting of the harness, part of it may interfere with the intake manifold retaining bolt or tumble generator valve (TGV), during normal vehicle operation,” it said.

“Under these circumstances, rough idling and/or malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminationmay occur.

“In the worst case, the engine may stall whilst in use and may not be able to be restarted (although braking and steering capability should still be available until the vehicle comes to a stop).”

In lesser cases, affected models may simply experience a rough idle.

Subaru Australia corporate affairs manager David Rowley told GoAuto that three cases had been reported locally.

The company is contacting affected customers. The recall involves a technician inspecting the harness and, if faulty, fitting a replacement. The process will take about two hours.

Today’s news is the second significant vehicle recall announced this week, after Toyota yesterday recalled almost 6000 FJ Cruisers over a potential seatbelt fault.