2014 Subaru Forester Recall: Exterior Lighting (NHTSA 19V149000)

NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall affecting 2014 Subaru Forester vehicles manufactured by Subaru of America, Inc.. Below is the official summary, the risk involved, and the fix available at no cost.

Table of contents
  1. What does the official notice say?
  2. Risk if left unaddressed
  3. Manufacturer's fix (remedy)
  4. Additional notes
  5. How to check if your vehicle is affected
  6. Frequently asked questions

What does the official notice say?

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Risk if left unaddressed

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer's fix (remedy)

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Additional notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

How to check if your vehicle is affected

Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the official NHTSA lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this campaign (number 19V149000).

Frequently asked questions

What is NHTSA recall 19V149000?

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

What happens if this recall isn't fixed?

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Is the repair free, and how do I check my VIN?

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in campaign 19V149000.

Source: public NHTSA data, campaign 19V149000, reported on 28/02/2019. This content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and was compiled from official data with editorial review prior to publication.

Recall Radar

Recall Radar is the editorial team behind RecallRadar, tracking official NHTSA vehicle recalls and translating them into clear, practical guidance — what's affected, what's the risk, and how to get the free fix. Every post is compiled from public NHTSA data and reviewed before publishing.

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