Recall 20V218 affects 188,207 2019 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, and Outback vehicles for fuel pump failure. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 188,207 2019 Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, and Outback vehicles because the low pressure fuel pump can fail. That can stall the engine, prevent restart, and increase the risk of a crash; Subaru dealers will replace the fuel pump free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The low pressure fuel pump on the 2019 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, and Outback moves gasoline from the tank toward the engine. The pump assembly includes a filter, and its impeller is the small spinning part that pulls fuel through the pump and keeps fuel flow steady. When it works correctly, the engine gets the fuel it needs to start, idle, and keep running under load.
On affected vehicles, the impeller was made with lower density material and spent longer exposed to solvent drying. That combination can create fine cracks in the impeller surface. Those cracks let the impeller absorb too much fuel, which changes its shape. As it deforms, the impeller can rub against the pump body and stop the low pressure fuel pump from working.
Owners can see a check engine light or malfunction indicator light before the pump fails. The engine can also run rough, fail to start, or lose power after starting or while driving.
Who's affected?
Covers four 2019 Subaru models using the same pump-with-filter fuel pump assembly.
| 2019 Subaru Impreza | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Legacy | fuel system |
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | fuel system |
| 2019 Subaru Outback | fuel system |
| Units affected | 188,207 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 279 field incidents to date. |
A matching 2019 Subaru model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed low pressure fuel pump can stall the engine and leave the vehicle unable to restart, increasing the risk of a crash. Watch for a check engine light, malfunction indicator light, or rough running, and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, or Outback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free low-pressure fuel-pump replacement that fixes the fuel pump failure that can stall the engine.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru sent one. If not, reference recall number 20V218 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop in a safe place if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the low pressure fuel pump covered by recall 20V218. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you paid out of pocket for a related fuel pump repair before the recall work, contact Subaru customer service and provide repair documentation so Subaru can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 16, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 17, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 4, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 5, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V218?
Recall 20V218 covers 188,207 2019 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, and Outback vehicles with a low-pressure fuel pump that can stop working. If the pump fails, the engine can stall and fail to restart, increasing crash risk. Subaru dealers will replace the pump for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Subaru Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, or Outback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V218. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the low-pressure fuel pump replacement. Reference recall number 20V218 or Subaru recall WRD-20 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru will replace the low-pressure fuel pump free of charge at a franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine stall. If the low-pressure fuel pump fails, the engine can stall and the vehicle cannot restart, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free pump replacement with a Subaru dealer if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my 2019 Subaru 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 Subaru dealer and reference recall 20V218 or Subaru recall WRD-20.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V218000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V218 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V218000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →