Skip to main content

Subaru Announces New Revamps; Aims To Improve Forester, Crosstrek Quality

Subaru Corp had a problem with their vehicle inspections. See how they made new revamps to improve Forester and Crosstrek quality.

Join us...    

When a mistake is made, you can either try to cover it up, or learn from it and improve. Subaru Corp got caught falsifying fuel economy and emissions data at their Japan plant in Gunma in December 2017 where they make the new 2019 Subaru Forester SUV and Crosstrek small crossover. Subaru’s president and CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga stepped down and changes were made to correct the problem after the recent inspection and data scandals.

Now Subaru Corp has completely reorganized their vehicle inspection department under a new “Quality Assurance Division” of Subaru Automotive Business to improve vehicle quality. The new department will conduct vehicle inspection work (including final vehicle inspections prescribed by Japanese laws and regulations) which was previously conducted by the Manufacturing Quality Control Department of the Gunma Manufacturing Division.

Subaru Corp manufactures the new 2019 Forester SUV, Crosstrek crossover, WRX and WRX STI performance sedans and BRZ sport coupe at the Gunma plant that are shipped to the U.S. and other global markets. The Outback wagon, Impreza compact, Ascent 3-Row, and Legacy sedan are produced at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

What does it mean for consumers?

Subaru Corp issued a press release saying, the purpose of this change is to ensure the quality of the top-selling Forester and Crosstrek, WRX/STI and BRZ vehicles “pursuant to the company’s quality-first principle”, by making the operation of vehicle inspections independent from the manufacturing organization. The responsibility now falls under the newly-formed quality assurance organization.

This comes after the all-new 2019 Subaru Forester hits dealer showrooms and as the new 2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in Hybrid model makes its debut at the LA Auto Show. Subaru Corporation learned a hard lesson, but they are making changes to ensure Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, WRX/STI and BRZ vehicle inspections move at a higher level.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Follow more Subaru news on FacebookTwitter and Instagram

Photo credit: Subaru USA

Join us...    

Comments

SHAWN THOMAS BELAIRE (not verified)    December 4, 2018 - 6:04AM

My 2015 Forester has been a complete disaster needed a whole front end replaced to fix a death wobble. The ECU was programed wrong, leaving the car dieing on the highway. Calls to there headoffice always were answered with ntf no trubke found. Sad

Marvin Doolin, Jr. (not verified)    February 25, 2019 - 2:34PM

In reply to by SHAWN THOMAS BELAIRE (not verified)

Sorry for your problems, Shawn. We have a 2015, purchased shortly before the 2016's came out, and at 73,000 miles, no problems at all. It's our third Forester and the first with an automatic transmission. After almost sixty years driving manuals, I was dubious about the CVT, and I still cringe at the sound that reminds me of the old Buick "fluid drive" transmissions of the late forties, but it has served us well. I hope our experience is more representative than yours.

John DiBona (not verified)    December 4, 2018 - 7:55AM

Subaru needs to change their executive team structure given the COO/CFO has been filled by 1 person thus creating conflict of interest at the highest level of their organization. Their piston ring debacle and head gasket issues over the years should have resulted in an immediate recall since they knew the root causes. They are currently avoiding to deal with their lousy CVT tranny. Not customer focused--they have lost their way . . .