FHI announced today that it is recalling some turbocharged Imprezas and Foresters in Japan. As far as I can tell, the problem is that a bolt associated with an Oil Control Valve (which I think is part of the AVCS) can loosen. A total of 23,137 vehicles are affected. They were manufactured during the period June 28, 2000 through February 21, 2003.

Those who can view and read Japanese will find this information at:
http://www.fhi.co.jp/recall/data/04-09_15.html

Fuji Recalls Some Subaru Brand Cars

TOKYO (AP)--Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries said Wednesday it would recall a total of 23,137 Subaru brand cars to tighten a bolt on the oil control valve that could come loose and cause engine oil to leak and catch fire.

The company informed Japan's Transport Ministry of the recall after receiving complaints about five Subaru vehicles sold domestically that had caught on fire.

The models named in the recall were turbo-charged Impreza compacts and Forester sport-utility wagons made between June 2000 and February 2003, according to the company's report to the ministry.

It wasn't clear if either of the models had been sold overseas, or if the accidents had led to injuries.

Officials at Fuji Heavy, which is 20 percent-owned by General Motors Corp. of the United States, couldn't be reached for comment.

According to Kyodo News agency, ministry officials criticized Fuji Heavy for waiting too long after the first fire to act. (PROFILE (CO:General Motors Corp; TS:GM; IG:ATO;) (COUNTRY:Japan; ISOCOUNTRY3:JPN; UNTOP:142; UN2ND:030; APGROUP:Asia;) (COUNTRY:United States; ISOCOUNTRY3:USA; UNTOP:021; APGROUP:NorthAmerica;) (SRC:AP; ST:US;) )

AP-NY-09-15-04 1046EDT

Copyright 2004, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

According to Kyodo News agency, ministry officials criticized Fuji Heavy for waiting too long after the first fire to act.According to Kyodo (http://asia.news.yahoo.com/040915/kyodo/d854345g0.html), the first fire attributable to this problem occurred in June 2002 and the last (5th) fire occurred in July 2004.

Probably a banjo bolt. That's about the only thing I can think of that might come loose and cause an oil fire.

Looks like every car company is turning into Mitsubishi :lol:


[QUOTE=eclip5e]
According to Kyodo News agency, ministry officials criticized Fuji Heavy for waiting too long after the first fire to act. (PROFILE (CO:General Motors Corp; TS:GM; IG:ATO;) (COUNTRY:Japan; ISOCOUNTRY3:JPN; UNTOP:142; UN2ND:030; APGROUP:Asia;) (COUNTRY:United States; ISOCOUNTRY3:USA; UNTOP:021; APGROUP:NorthAmerica;) (SRC:AP; ST:US;) )
QUOTE]

egh... does it have to catch fire before subaru does a recall? i wonder about this every time my brake pedal goes to the floor when i hit a big bump or manhole cover on the road :o

not as bad as all the recalls that US car makers make.

not as bad as all the recalls that US car makers make.


true ...

let's not forget the exploding pinto's !

This makes it the 3rd recall on Imprezas. And God knows how I hate dealer's mechanics :furious: . Anybody has any more details on this latest recall? Now I have to be even more alert about my WRX....

NO you don't, it is restricted to AVCS models.

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=363047

So far JDM only. And it looks like a few loose bolts. Easy to check/tighten yourself if you have a car of that era. Those with JDM engines should probably take a close look at the link in the above Scoobynet post, as it shows where the issue is.

HTH