Subaru Legacy, Outback Recall R/2018/229: Obstruction In Cowl Area May Force Wipers To Park Out Of Position And Overheat, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 20 Sep 2018
- Launched
- 3,906
- vehicles in the UK
- SRCB-WI-ZYT
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Subaru recalled Legacy, Outback vehicles built between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014. If wipers become obstructed motor may over heat with risk of fire. The dealer will replace wiper motor bottom cover on affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
If wipers become obstructed motor may over heat with risk of fire.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: OBSTRUCTION IN COWL AREA MAY FORCE WIPERS TO PARK OUT OF POSITION AND OVERHEAT Defect: If wipers become obstructed motor may over heat with risk of fire Remedy: Replace wiper motor bottom cover on affected vehicles
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: obstruction in cowl area may force wipers to park out of position and overheat.
The Fix
The dealer will replace wiper motor bottom cover on affected vehicles.
Are You Affected?
Legacy, Outback built between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014 may be included. Subaru estimates 3,906 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Subaru, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Subaru.
- Book with any franchised Subaru dealer, quoting the campaign code SRCB-WI-ZYT or the DVSA reference R/2018/229. See how to get a Subaru recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OutbackMalfunction of inhibitor switch on CVT | Low | R/2024/391 | |
| Impreza, Levorg, Outback, XVThe electronic park brake connector may disconnect | Urgent | R/2022/260 | |
| OutbackThe eyesight logic may cause an un-necessary activation of the pre-collision braking | Urgent | R/2022/053 | |
| Legacy, OutbackA driving range indicator in the multi information display has a program error | Low | R/2019/052 | |
| BRZ, Forester, Impreza, Legacy and 2 moreThe load may exceed the valve spring's fatigue strength and the spring may fracture | Book soon | R/2019/025 |
This is one of 37 Subaru recalls in DVSA’s data. The Subaru recall launched before it was R/2018/141 on 23 Jul 2018, for front passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a deployment event. The one launched after it was R/2018/326 on 1 Dec 2018, for mis connection of the fuel pump connector. You can also see every Subaru recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/229, launched 20 September 2018. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.