Subaru recalls Imprezas in Japan and Australia, U.S. could be next

The largest vehicle safety recall in history just keeps getting bigger. Subaru is now recalling Impreza compact models along with automakers Mazda and Mitsubishi. A report by the New York Times says the three Japanese automakers will recall about 715,000 cars and trucks. The Subaru Imprezas that are being recalled are only cars that were sold in Japan. Will the recall include WRX and WRX STI models sold in the U.S.?

Subaru and Mazda said they will consult safety regulators in other countries to determine whether additional recalls are needed. Mitsubishi said it would recall vehicles outside of Japan. Subaru spokesman Kenichi Yano, said: “I can’t deny that we may have to take action overseas as well, but at this point nothing is decided.”

What years are affected?

Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru automobiles is recalling 91,151 Impreza models in Japan. In Australia, CarAdvice reports Subaru is recalling 33,548 Imprezas in that country. They report the Impreza models being recalled are produced between 2004 and 2007. This could include second generation Impreza WRX and WRX STI performance cars.

Subaru, Mazda and Mitsubishi are Japans smallest automakers and now join fellow Japanese brands Honda, Nissan and Toyota who recalled 11.5 million vehicles last week. The massive recall involves 53 million-plus vehicles worldwide. The recall also involves, BMW, Chrysler, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

Subaru Impreza recall affects passenger airbags

The defective Takata air bags explode too violently and shoot shrapnel into vehicles and have been linked to six deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide. The Subaru Impreza recall is related to defective airbag inflators fitted to the front passenger airbags. New York Times reports Takata said on Tuesday that propellant in the inflaters could degrade over time if exposed to high humidity and temperature changes, making it prone to “overaggressive combustion.”

Subaru recalled 2008-2014 WRX/STI performance cars and other vehicles in the lineup. They need to recall the vehicles to fix rusty brake lines that can leak fluid and cause longer stopping distances. There will be around 199,000 Subaru cars and SUVs recalled in total and they are all from...read more.

In a report by ProductReviews.net, they say some owners of the Subaru Impreza vehicles are contemplating removing the airbags themselves, because they are afraid their airbags could go off at anytime. They think that removing their airbags could be a safer option until the issue is resolved. This could create additional risk for owners if they are involved in accident and then have no airbag to save them.

The largest vehicle safety recall in history is growing and includes 2004-2007 Subaru Impreza models. The Takata airbag recall in Japan and Australia could include Subaru Impreza vehicles sold in the U.S. This could include 2004-2007 second generation WRX and WRX STI performance models. Stay tuned.