Recall Alert: Subaru Warns Owners Not to Drive These Impreza Models
Hundreds of customers who bought a 2021 Subaru Impreza can expect to get some mail soon from the manufacturer if they haven’t already. Subaru recalls some 2021 Imprezas and warns customers not to drive the vehicles until specific fixes are made.
The Impreza recall relates to a software glitch
Subaru recalls some 2021 Imprezas due to a lower control arm weld defect on the front driver’s side. The manufacturer states that the arm may fail on affected vehicles. The NHTSA indicates that if this were to happen, “The tire could contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.”
As Auto Blog explains, “Subaru’s investigation showed that equipment on the control arm’s assembly line was damaged, which ultimately caused interference with the welding torch, causing it to trace an improper welding path and an incomplete weld.”
Due to the potential for an accident created by this defect, it’s essential to get the situation remedied quickly if you’re notified that the recall affects your vehicle. Subaru is also warning customers not to drive their recalled Imprezas until they can be repaired.
Not all 2021 Impreza owners will receive the recall notice because not all units have this particular defect. Only 802 cars are being recalled at this time.
What affected owners should expect next
How will you know if your Impreza is one of the ones being recalled? According to Auto Blog, notifications started to be sent out on September 3. So if you’re a 2021 Impreza owner who hasn’t heard anything by now, it’s possible that your car isn’t one of the affected units.
If your vehicle is one of the ones recalled, Subaru will replace the defective lower control arm with a new one. The manufacturer can identify which arms are defective by lot number.
To determine whether or not the recall affects your car, you can contact Subaru’s customer service at 844-373-6614. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit NHTSA to check your vehicle’s status. If you go either of these routes, you’ll need to have your VIN handy for the NHTSA to look it up.
What does the 2021 Subaru Impreza offer?
As we’ve written elsewhere, the 2021 Impreza offers a fantastic value. All Imprezas come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing about 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque for starters. In addition, one aspect of the vehicle that makes it stand out is that all-wheel drive comes standard at every trim level. With a base price of around $19,000, this makes the Impreza one of the more affordable AWD options out there. The 2021 Impreza also comes with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system, which features a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility.
Fuel economy is a plus for the Impreza as well. It gets around 36 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city. Remember that the base trim Impreza doesn’t necessarily offer the same safety features that come standard on higher trims. For example, Subaru’s EyeSight suite of smart safety features will cost you an additional $1,300.
The highest trim, the Sport, starts at $23,600. The Sport is aptly named, being capable of higher-level performance thanks to its active torque vectoring. However, this greater power also leads to lower fuel efficiency, which some may view as a con when considering purchasing a Sport.
All in all, the Impreza is a solid vehicle. Don’t let this one recall make you think otherwise.
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