Fuel Pump Defect Results In Subaru Vehicle Recall
Subaru Recalls Approximately 200,000 Subaru Vehicles With Defective Low-Pressure Denso Fuel Pumps – “Dangerous Defect” In Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Cause Engine Stalling, Increasing Crash Risk
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on April 23, 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed in United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, against Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Corporation (collectively, “Subaru”) and Denso Corporation and Denso International America, Inc. (collectively, “Denso”).
Subaru Submits Part 573 Safety Recall Report Recalling Certain Model Year 2019 Subaru Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback Vehicles
According to the class action complaint, Subaru, in the Part 573 Safety Recall Report,
. . . identified a dangerous defect in the low-pressure fuel pump which can fail and cause the [r]ecalled [v]ehicles to unexpectedly stall and cause engine shut down:
The affected vehicles may be equipped with a low pressure fuel pump produced during a specific timeframe that may include an impeller which has been manufactured with a lower density. If the surface of the lower density impeller is exposed to solvent drying for longer periods of time, it may develop fine cracks. These cracks may lead to excessive fuel absorption, resulting in impeller deformation. Over time, the impeller may become deformed enough to interfere with the body of the fuel pump, potentially causing the low pressure fuel pump to become inoperative. [Emphasis added.]
Approximately 200,000 vehicles are covered by Subaru’s vehicle recall, including certain Model Year 2019 Subaru Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outlook vehicles; however, according to the complaint, the “. . . same dangerous condition is present in all 2013-2019 Subaru manufactured vehicles equipped with Denso made low-pressure fuel pumps with a part number prefix 42022 (‘Class Vehicles’) which gave rise to the [r]ecall.” [Emphasis added.]
According to the complaint:
Subaru concluded that the Fuel Pump Defect in the Class Vehicles presents an immediate and unreasonable risk of physical injury or death when used in their intended, foreseeable, and ordinary purpose.
The Fuel Pump Defect in the Class Vehicles exposes occupants and others to extreme danger, or even death. A vehicle that stalls or suffers engine shutdown is at heightened risk for collision. A vehicle that stalls or suffers engine shutdown causes drivers to react to remove themselves from danger, typically by exiting the road. Drivers stranded on the side of the road experience a heightened risk of danger, whether it is from other vehicles or weather elements.
Fuel pump failure can prevent the driver from accelerating at the necessary and anticipated pace. Diminished acceleration ability creates unexpected hazards, startling drivers of the Class Vehicles and other drivers in their proximity. Finally, once a Class Vehicle fuel pump fails, the vehicle becomes totally inoperable and will not start.
Owners or lessees of 2013-2019 Subaru manufactured vehicles equipped with Denso-made, low-pressure fuel pumps with a part number prefix 42022 are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. to discuss potential legal claims.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
