Recall 11V464 covers 318,215 2002-2008 Forester, Impreza, and 9-2X vehicles for corroded front lower control arms. Repair is free at a franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 318,215 2002-2008 Forester, Impreza, and Saab 9-2X vehicles because front lower control arms can break at the hanger brackets after corrosion from salty, humid road conditions. A broken control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk; the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front lower control arm on 2002-2008 Subaru Forester, Impreza, and 9-2X vehicles is a suspension link that holds the front wheel in position while it moves over bumps. The arm connects to the body through hanger brackets, which keep the lower part of the suspension aligned during steering and braking.
On included vehicles, those hanger brackets can corrode after exposure to salty, humid road conditions, especially roads treated with snow-melting agent. As rust builds at the bracket, the metal loses strength. The front lower control arm can break at the bracket instead of holding its normal shape and position.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the control arm breaks, the suspension is no longer supported the way Subaru designed it, and the vehicle needs dealer inspection and repair.
Who's affected?
Spans Forester, Impreza, and 9-2X across the 2002-2008 model years, all tied to the same lower control arm component.
| 2003 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2004 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
| 2003 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2002 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2004 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2005 Saab 9-2X | lower control arm |
| 2005 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
| 2005 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
| 2006 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2007 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
| 2007 Subaru Impreza | lower control arm |
| 2006 Saab 9-2X | lower control arm |
| 2008 Subaru Forester | lower control arm |
| Units affected | 318,215 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A broken front lower control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. No warning sign is listed for this recall. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the dealer inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2008 Subaru Forester, Impreza, or 9-2X is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer if your VIN is included and ask about the free front lower control arm inspection.
- Schedule the rustproofing or lower control arm replacement that fixes corrosion at the hanger brackets.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V464 when you call.
- Avoid driving on heavily salted roads until the dealer inspects the front lower control arms.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the front lower control arms for corrosion at the hanger brackets. Based on the inspection, the dealer rustproofs the control arms or replaces them. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The filing does not show a current final remedy status, so schedule timing must be confirmed with the dealer. Once the recall repair is available for your VIN, the dealer work is free.
Timeline
| September 6, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 31, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V464?
Recall 11V464 covers 318,215 2002-2008 Subaru Forester, Impreza, and 9-2X vehicles with front lower control arms that can corrode and break at the hanger brackets in salty, humid areas. A broken control arm can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2002-2008 Subaru Forester, Impreza, or 9-2X is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V464. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the front lower control arm inspection. The dealer will rustproof or replace the affected control arms for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect the front lower control arms, then rustproof or replace them free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. Corrosion can cause the front lower control arm to break at the hanger bracket, which can affect steering and suspension control and increase crash risk. The free dealer inspection decides whether rustproofing or replacement is needed.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Forester, Impreza, or 9-2X is included, then reference recall 11V464 when you call the Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V464000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V464 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V464000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →