Subaru Outback, Forester switch failure disables reverse lights, camera

NHTSA campaign 23V755000 · Reported Nov 9, 2023 · Subaru of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Without reverse lights or a rearview camera picture, backing up becomes more dangerous, and the notice says this increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	23V755000
Reported to NHTSA	Nov 9, 2023
Manufacturer	Subaru of America, Inc.
Part affected	Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
Vehicles covered	8 model/year combinations, model years 2021–2023
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Subaru is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy and Outback vehicles. A weld that was not strong enough can let water get into the inhibitor switch, the switch that tells the car which gear the transmission is in, and the water can make that switch fail. If it does, the reverse lights may not come on and the rearview camera image may not appear. Dealers will replace the switch free of charge.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your vehicle is covered. 2. Contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair, or call Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 (recall number WRQ-23). 3. The replacement switch is free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 23V755000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (8)

2021 Subaru Crosstrek
2021 Subaru Legacy
2021 Subaru Outback
2022 Subaru Forester
2022 Subaru Legacy
2022 Subaru Outback
2023 Subaru Legacy
2023 Subaru Outback

Who to contact

Subaru — official Subaru recall lookup

Customer service: 1-844-373-6614

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Subaru Power Train Recalls Involving Driveshafts, Transmissions, and Gear Selection · all 8 Subaru recalls in this area

Other Subaru Outback recalls

Mar 22, 2024Subaru Legacy, Outback Passenger Air Bag May Not Deployhigh
Sep 21, 2023Subaru Driveshaft Bolts May Loosen And Disconnecthigh
Sep 22, 2022Subaru Impreza and Outback Windshields May Detachhigh
Jul 8, 2022Subaru Legacy and Outback Transmission Chain May Slipmedium
Jul 1, 2022Subaru Outback Wiring Fault May Cause Engine Stallmedium
Dec 9, 2021Subaru Ascent, Legacy, Outback Drive Chain Riskhigh

All 15 Outback recalls

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Safety risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.