Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 17) - Subaru China will begin recalling 7,412 imported vehicles later this month, China Business News reported today, citing an announcement made by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The recall, which will begin on July 27, will target Imprezas, Foresters and Legacys manufactured between mid-2008 and late 2009.
The vehicles in question (pictured) are to be recalled due to a potential fault with their engine water pumps. The gaps between the bearings in the pump are excessively small, which may cause them to become locked with each other, preventing the pump from operating normally. This in turn could lead to the engine belt becoming damaged, which may cause the engine to malfunction or even spontaneously catch on fire.
Subaru announced that they will replace the pumps of all affected vehicles free of charge.
This news marks the third time Subaru has issued a major recall in China since last September. However, Subaru's largest problem in China is not the abundance of recalls, but rather how to best expand its limited penetration in the country's market. Subaru sold a total of 57,138 vehicles last year, only 60 more units than 2010. Judging from its most recent statistics, it will be a challenge for the manufacturer to break the 600,000 sales barrier this year.
