Subaru welding fail means..
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
Subaru welding fail means..
Thousands of new cars are headed to the scrap heap
Subaru has discovered a defect so severe that it is planning to scrap, rather than repair, more than 2,100 new Legacy sedans and Outback SUVs.
Faulty welds not only could lead to an accident, according to the automaker, but increase the risk of injuries to vehicle occupants if one occurs.
The announcement is rare, but not unique, at a time when automotive recalls have been running at or near record levels. Subaru itself staged a similar move a year ago involving a small number of then-new Ascent SUVs.
According to the Japanese automaker, a supplier failed to properly clean part of its machinery, “reducing the effectiveness of (a) welder” that put together sheet metal components used in the cowl, which separates the engine from the passenger compartment, in the Legacy and Outback models. The welds could fail over time.
The problem was discovered within a week, limiting the extent of the problem, nonetheless, the automaker plans to recall 142 of the Legacy sedans and 1,965 of the Outback SUVs. According to Subaru, the majority of those models had yet to be delivered, but at least 20 are currently in the hands of U.S. buyers.
Those who have recently purchased one of those two products can check to see if their vehicles are affected by going to either the Subaru or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or call the automaker at 844-373-6614. Subaru also plans to send out alerts to impacted buyers in the coming weeks.
Those who have one of the vehicles covered by the recall will be given the option of having it repurchased by Subaru or replaced. All the vehicles will be scrapped, a costly process considering a Legacy starts at around $22,000, the Outback around $26,000 — with both models pushing up towards $40,000 when fully loaded.
Buybacks are rare but not unique in the auto industry. Volkswagen, for one, offered to repurchase thousands of vehicles equipped with illegally rigged diesel engines, though some were also repaired.
A year ago, Subaru had to make a similar move when it discovered welding defects on 243 of the then-new Ascent SUV. As with the latest recall, the vast majority of the affected vehicles had not yet been delivered to customers.
Faulty welds not only could lead to an accident, according to the automaker, but increase the risk of injuries to vehicle occupants if one occurs.
The announcement is rare, but not unique, at a time when automotive recalls have been running at or near record levels. Subaru itself staged a similar move a year ago involving a small number of then-new Ascent SUVs.
According to the Japanese automaker, a supplier failed to properly clean part of its machinery, “reducing the effectiveness of (a) welder” that put together sheet metal components used in the cowl, which separates the engine from the passenger compartment, in the Legacy and Outback models. The welds could fail over time.
The problem was discovered within a week, limiting the extent of the problem, nonetheless, the automaker plans to recall 142 of the Legacy sedans and 1,965 of the Outback SUVs. According to Subaru, the majority of those models had yet to be delivered, but at least 20 are currently in the hands of U.S. buyers.
Those who have recently purchased one of those two products can check to see if their vehicles are affected by going to either the Subaru or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or call the automaker at 844-373-6614. Subaru also plans to send out alerts to impacted buyers in the coming weeks.
Those who have one of the vehicles covered by the recall will be given the option of having it repurchased by Subaru or replaced. All the vehicles will be scrapped, a costly process considering a Legacy starts at around $22,000, the Outback around $26,000 — with both models pushing up towards $40,000 when fully loaded.
Buybacks are rare but not unique in the auto industry. Volkswagen, for one, offered to repurchase thousands of vehicles equipped with illegally rigged diesel engines, though some were also repaired.
A year ago, Subaru had to make a similar move when it discovered welding defects on 243 of the then-new Ascent SUV. As with the latest recall, the vast majority of the affected vehicles had not yet been delivered to customers.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,464
Likes: 251
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Why scrap them? 
Seems unnecessary, to me, over a couple of welds. Disassemble the vehicles and use them for spare parts. Technically, they are still brand-new parts if the vehicle has never been sold.
And I was just getting ready to test-drive a new Outback.....I wanted to see how much they have changed from my old 2006.
Seems unnecessary, to me, over a couple of welds. Disassemble the vehicles and use them for spare parts. Technically, they are still brand-new parts if the vehicle has never been sold.And I was just getting ready to test-drive a new Outback.....I wanted to see how much they have changed from my old 2006.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
Why scrap them? Seems unnecessary, to me, over a couple of welds. Disassemble the vehicles and use them for spare parts. Technically, they are still brand-new parts if the vehicle has never been sold.
And I was just getting ready to test-drive a new Outback.....I wanted to see how much they have changed from my old 2006.
Seems unnecessary, to me, over a couple of welds. Disassemble the vehicles and use them for spare parts. Technically, they are still brand-new parts if the vehicle has never been sold.And I was just getting ready to test-drive a new Outback.....I wanted to see how much they have changed from my old 2006.
It is probably too disruptive for a factory to disassemble these vehicles - they will lose more conveyor time than its worth. They do not want to sell these cars to a smaller entity for repair, because if the repairs are not done properly, Subaru is still on the hook.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,464
Likes: 251
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Disagree. Until those vehicles are sold, they are legally the property of the manufacturer or dealership. They can control what happens.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,025
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From: Alberta
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,468
Likes: 380
From: ON/NY
This is a good move by Subaru. I applaud them for the buyback or replacement for customers who have them already.
The manufacturer is separate from the dealer.
I don't think you are correct.
The manufacturer is separate from the dealer.
I don't think you are correct.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 498
Likes: 43
From: FL
Good on them, they can sell it a third world country for cheap if they were unethical enough. I know some companies do this cough cough *toyota* cough cough. I'm starting to think these corporations are too greedy for anyone else's good.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
It will indeed be a shame if Subaru literally just crushes the cars whole without parting some things out. When accidents create the need for parts, they'll have to produce the same exact new parts being scrapped. So wasteful. What about things like the alloy wheels? So stupid to crush them.
Meh, it's only $60,000,000.00.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
Thousands of new cars are headed to the scrap heap
Subaru has discovered a defect so severe that it is planning to scrap, rather than repair, more than 2,100 new Legacy sedans and Outback SUVs.
Faulty welds not only could lead to an accident, according to the automaker, but increase the risk of injuries to vehicle occupants if one occurs.
The announcement is rare, but not unique, at a time when automotive recalls have been running at or near record levels. Subaru itself staged a similar move a year ago involving a small number of then-new Ascent SUVs.
Faulty welds not only could lead to an accident, according to the automaker, but increase the risk of injuries to vehicle occupants if one occurs.
The announcement is rare, but not unique, at a time when automotive recalls have been running at or near record levels. Subaru itself staged a similar move a year ago involving a small number of then-new Ascent SUVs.
Buybacks are rare but not unique in the auto industry. Volkswagen, for one, offered to repurchase thousands of vehicles equipped with illegally rigged diesel engines, though some were also repaired.
A year ago, Subaru had to make a similar move when it discovered welding defects on 243 of the then-new Ascent SUV. As with the latest recall, the vast majority of the affected vehicles had not yet been delivered to customers.
A year ago, Subaru had to make a similar move when it discovered welding defects on 243 of the then-new Ascent SUV. As with the latest recall, the vast majority of the affected vehicles had not yet been delivered to customers.
Although the problems seem similar, it seems that it is only coincidence that both problems are related to welds. Luckily few (if any) customers will be affected by the recall and buyback.
It would cost so much to disassemble the affected vehicles -- put them on an assembly line and run it in reverse, and hope that the parts and components you pull out can be re-used (not damaged, not scratched, dented or dinged during the removal) -- that it would not be worth it. And, as others have said, you cannot re-use any damaged or incorrectly-assembled structural part.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 216
From: PA
It's probably for liability more than anything else. I mean they probably could have subcontracted a some small outfit to disassemble the vehicle, remove salvage and catalog the parts used and scrap the frame but that would probably be expensive as well. that would have been the least wasteful way in my opinion
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 7
From: UK
As has been pointed out; the cheapest and safest option for Subaru is that these cars are completely crushed and never get on the open market. The potential liability and damage to reputation dwarfs these costs.
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