Any experience with recalls on older cars?

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I own a 2003 Subaru Outback. One of the rear struts failed after extensive rusting caused the lower coilspring mount on the strut to extensively rust and break off.

Looking through some recall history, it appears that Subaru went through a period of problems in the early 2000s where they were dealing with poor rust inhibitor quality.

Found this particular recall-
“NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V153000 [RIGHT]www.nhtsa.dot.gov[/RIGHT]
Manufacturer SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Recall Date: APR 17, 2003 Potential Number Of Units Affected: 170000 DescriptionSUSPENSION:REAR SummaryTHIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME. ConsequenceIF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. RemedyDEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.”
Would the rear lower spring seat on the struts qualify as a rear suspension subframe component and would new struts be something that Subaru of America would replace?

I have never seen the failure that occurred happen and there is a very significant amount of rusting in that area of the car given the car has a very low amount of miles at 60k. Far more rusting than my 1996 Subaru with 146k.

Also, if this recall was issued way back and the original owner of the car failed to deal with the issue, am I sol on the matter?

2

there’s a grace period for corrective actions for some recall actions, but not all depending on the nature of it. go in and ask, try to find someplace with a service department that you at least know someone at or have some service history with the car or your family. better to sit down and discuss your issue than be some joe with a cold call wanting his 10 yr old rot box fixed

3

Eh, looks like the problem is limited to sub-frame only although another individual filed a complaint for the same issue I had with the NHTSA. Same failure, occuring at relatively low mileage.

Appears that Subaru is not acknowledging that issue though.