Recall 18V626 covers 27,175 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy manual-transmission vehicles for electronic parking brake rollaway risk. Repair is free at franchised Subaru dealers.
Subaru is recalling 27,175 2010-2014 Outback and Legacy vehicles with manual transmissions because the electronic parking brake can fail to engage. A parked vehicle can roll away and increase the risk of a crash, and the Subaru dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The electronic parking brake on 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy models with manual transmissions is the system that holds the vehicle when it is parked. Instead of a hand lever, it uses an electric control unit and actuator to apply the parking brake. When the driver sets it, the unit tells the actuator to clamp the brake so the vehicle stays put.
On affected vehicles, the failure starts inside the EPB control unit. A capacitor on the circuit board or a magnetic ring for the actuator stroke sensor cracks as the vehicle is used over time. Once that crack develops, the control unit does not read or command the parking brake correctly, so the EPB does not apply as intended. If the transmission is not left in the proper gear, the vehicle can roll away after parking.
The warning sign is the brake telltale warning lamp. If that light comes on, it is indicating an electronic parking brake malfunction.
Who's affected?
Covers both Outback and Legacy across the 2010-2014 model years, with the parking brake as the shared component.
| 2012 Subaru Outback | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| 2013 Subaru Outback | Parking brake |
| 2013 Subaru Legacy | Parking brake |
| 2010 Subaru Outback | Parking brake |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | Parking brake |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy | Parking brake |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | Parking brake |
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | Parking brake |
| 2014 Subaru Legacy | Parking brake |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | Parking brake |
| Units affected | 27,175 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A vehicle rollaway increases crash risk. If the brake telltale illuminates, treat it as an electronic parking brake malfunction and schedule the recall repair soon. Keep the vehicle secured when parked until the repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Subaru Outback or Legacy with a manual transmission is included in this recall.
- Watch for Subaru's owner notice before scheduling the final EPB actuator assembly replacement.
- Call Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 with questions and reference recall number 18V626 when you call.
- Park with the transmission in the proper gear and set the electronic parking brake until the actuator repair is complete.
- Bring the recall notice to a franchised Subaru dealer once Subaru opens the free EPB actuator assembly replacement.
What happens at the repair
Subaru has identified the dealer repair as replacement of the electronic parking brake actuator assembly. Once the repair is available for your VIN, a Subaru technician will replace the EPB actuator assembly at no charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Subaru lists a general reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a related electronic parking brake repair before the recall notice, contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 and ask how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 13, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 2, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 2, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 19, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V626?
Recall 18V626 covers 27,175 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles with manual transmissions. The electronic parking brake can fail to engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to roll away if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Subaru Outback or Legacy is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V626. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the electronic parking brake actuator assembly replacement. Reference recall number 18V626 or Subaru recall WTV-81 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru dealers will replace the electronic parking brake actuator assembly free of charge. Subaru began this recall on July 19, 2019.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway. If the electronic parking brake does not engage as intended and the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked, the vehicle can move and increase the risk of a crash.
What if I bought my Subaru Legacy or Outback used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Subaru is included, then contact a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall 18V626 or Subaru recall WTV-81.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V626000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V626 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V626000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →