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Customer complaints of faulty brakes have forced Subaru of America to postpone the sales of three of its 2012 models: Impreza, Legacy and the popular Outback.
So far, 3,000 cars have been sold and have been recalled. All dealerships stopped selling the vehicles on Nov. 25, Autoweek reported today.
Bottom Line - Subaru stops sales of three 2012 models (http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9148154-subaru-stops-sales-of-three-2012-models - broken link)
Actually, I think that Subaru is to be credited for very rapidly issuing a stop-sale order on a wide variety of models after one or two (stories vary on the number) incidences of brake failure on one model.
Most manufacturers would not be so quick to stop the sale of their cars after a very limited number of problem reports. By comparison, think back to the Ford Explorer rollover debacle or, more recently, to the Toyota throttle issues. Whether either of those manufacturers were actually guilty of selling defective vehicles is not the issue, but rather the issue is--Did Ford and Toyota operate out of a sense of extreme caution? Clearly not.
Incidentally, the order has now been lifted, and following retro-fitting of the cars in the factory's storage lots, shipments have resumed.
And, for those cars that had already been sold, dealers have already been supplied with new master cylinders to install on the affected cars.
All cars have issues, to me it comes down to how the issue is handled and how forthcoming and proactive the company is in dealing with it. In this case Subaru should be commended for their efforts to correct a defect as openly and rapidly as possible and do right by their customers.
I think Subaru is doing a nice job here of being proactive too. Not good that they have issues with brakes, but nice that they are not dragging their feet with trying to correct it.
It sounds like this brake problem is ONLY with 2012 models...so far....correct?
Yes, only 2012 models.
My information (subject to correction, of course) is that they received a batch of potentially defective master cylinders from their supplier, and that these parts wound up on car produced between October 17, 2011 and November 23, 2011.
Most of these cars apparently have/had properly-functioning brakes, and the problem was actually only found on one or two cars. However, examination of those parts indicates that there could be future problems with cars that now appear to be trouble-free. Thus, the cautionary pre-emptive action on the part of Subaru.
Think about it--Have you ever seen a manufacturer react this quickly to a similar situation?
Last edited by Retriever; 12-02-2011 at 09:04 AM..
My experience with their corporate customer relations, communications, proactivity, etc. has been very good. I am not surprised they appear to be out front of the problem.
This is the one good thing that came out of the Toyota issue, regardless of your opinion of it. Car manufacturers almost cannot wait to fall on the sword. A refreshing change if you ask me.
Mike
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