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Subaru Recalls of 1996-1997 Legacy to Fix Welds

10 July 1998

Subaru Announces Voluntary Recall of 1996-1997 Legacy Vehicles; Possible Improper Welding on the Front Transverse Link Assembly
    CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 10 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today
announced a voluntary recall campaign on its 1996/1997 model year Legacy
vehicles.  The campaign involves an improper welding on the front transverse
link assembly on some 1996/1997 Legacy models.
    Improper welding on the part supplier may result in weld fractures on the
hanger (support) bracket which could cause partial (or complete, if the
resulting noises are ignored,) separation of the bracket from the transverse
link.  Such separations may cause failure of the lower suspension mounting
that could lead to a loss of vehicle control.   The number of vehicles
potentially affected is 29,442 although it is unknown how many vehicles
actually contain the defect.
    All registered owners of vehicles potentially affected by the voluntary
recall have been notified by first class mail.  They have been asked to return
their vehicles to a Subaru dealer for an inspection of both the front
transverse links and replacement of the link assembly if improper welds are
found.
    Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan.  Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of nearly 610 franchised dealers across the United States.  All Legacy
models sold in the U.S., including the Outback and Sport Utility Sedan, are
produced at the company's American manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu
Automotive, Inc., near Lafayette, Ind.  In 1998, Subaru celebrates 30 years in
the U.S. market, having sold over three million vehicles.