Subaru suspends 2.5 turbo production and sale

SUBARU has suspended the production and sale of all vehicles fitted with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine – that is, Forester XT, Impreza WRX and WRX STi and the Liberty GT sedan and wagon – built between January and April this year.

A statement released last night by Subaru Australia said the problem had been identified as abnormal wear on conrod big end bearings and could affect up to 1233 vehicles in Australia built this year between Tuesday, 8 January and Saturday, 5 April.

Of these, 171 have been sold to customers, none of whom, according to Subaru, have experienced engine problems. The latter would manifest as an engine knocking noise.

The affected cars are not the subject of a recall but a “quality assurance action” which is “aimed at avoiding possible damage to the engines of potentially affected vehicles”.

“Therefore, in the interests of preventing any possibility of engine damage, we are isolating any potentially affected vehicles from sale until the cause and correction are identified,” the company said.

Left: STi engine.

Australian owners do not need to contact their dealer or Subaru’s customer service line (1800 22 66 43) unless they experience incidents of engine knocking noise.

“As far as Subaru Australia is aware, no customers have reported instances in Australia, but if any are forthcoming, they will be given a loan car until their vehicles can be checked and, where necessary, fixed,” the company said.

“Subaru Australia will update its retail network and relevant customers as soon as possible, on receipt of further advice from FHI (parent Fuji Heavy Industries). This will also include advice regarding 171 potentially affected vehicles already with customers.”

Subaru vehicles fitted with all other displacement engines and the 2.5-litre normally aspirated engine are not affected.

Specific details of the affected Australian cars are as follows:• Forester XT – chassis 002070 onwards
• Impreza WRX and WRX STi – chassis 015006 onwards
• Liberty GT sedan – chassis 038385 onwards
• Liberty GT wagon – chassis 068148 onwards