Subaru Crosstrek, Imprezas Could Short Circuit

Subaru is calling back more cars, again over a serious defect that could be a recipe for disaster on the road.

The company recently announced that it is recalling more than 35,000 sport utility and hatchback vehicles, citing a problem with instrument panel harnesses. The defect could cause the cars to short-circuit, losing power unexpectedly and increasing the risk of accidents.

“The affected vehicles have insufficient clearance around the instrument panel harness which may allow the harness to contact the steering beam bracket,” Subaru said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the harness contacts the bracket, the wire insulation could be damaged and/or a wire could short circuit.”

The recall covers certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. The defect puts drivers, passengers and anyone on the road with the vehicles at risk, Subaru acknowledged.

“If a short circuit occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power while driving without the ability to immediately restart the engine, increasing the risk of a crash,” the company told NHTSA.

Subaru plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by early October. It will ask owners to bring their vehicles to local dealers for inspection and repair. The company also pledged to reimburse owners for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the problem.

How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners and Lessors

Subaru is no newcomer when it comes to production and design mishaps that pose serious safety risks for anyone in their cars.

The company in July said it was recalling a small number of Ascent sport utility vehicles, for example. It said the SUVs’ front control arms could become detached, making them harder to control and increasing the risk of crashes.

That followed a separate recall just about a month earlier, in which Subaru called back more than 4,000 Imprezas whose brake lights could fail. The company acknowledged at the time that the defect increased the risk of accidents.

There is some good news for Subaru owners and lessors in California, however. The state’s lemon law gives you some comprehensive rights and protections.

Known officially as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces them to buy back vehicles that they are not able or flat-out refuse to fix. 

That includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments, the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car and other related expenses. 

Our Lemon Lawyers Can Help You

At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles. 

We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.