Subaru drivers have been warned to stop driving 2016 and 2017 model Legacy and Outback vehicles. The cars have been recalled due to an issue with the steering column that could place drivers and passengers at serious risk. In addition to the recall notice, Subaru has issued a stop-sale notice for the thousands of affected vehicles that are still at car dealerships in Ohio and around the country.
There are almost 50,000 recalled Subaru vehicles currently in the possession of car owners and sitting at dealerships. The automaker started mailing recall notices to car owners on May 13, warning them to refrain from driving their cars until the steering columns are fixed. Subaru owners can have the defective auto part on their vehicles repaired at Subaru dealerships for free.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a bulletin on its website describing the reason for the Subaru recall. According to the agency, one of the steering column shafts on the new Legacy and Outback vehicles was improperly machined during production. The defect could cause the steering wheel to rotate uncontrollably, and the driver could lose control of the steering. Subaru purchased the defective steering column shafts from NSK Steering Systems America, Inc.
A motor vehicle manufacturing defect like a faulty steering column has the potential to cause a severe car accident. A person who has been injured as a result and who has incurred significant medical expenses and other losses may want to meet with an attorney to see if there is recourse available against the automaker or the manufacturer of the defective part.
Source: Yahoo! News, “Stop-sale & recall issued for 2016-2017 Subaru Legacy due to steering problems,” May 13, 2016