Recall 23V647 covers 4,311 2023 Subaru Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles for loose driveshaft bolts. Repair will be free once available.
Subaru is recalling 4,311 2023 Outback, Ascent, Legacy, and Impreza vehicles because center support bolts for the driveshaft can loosen, letting the front end of the driveshaft disconnect. That separation increases the risk of a crash, and the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The propeller shaft, often called the driveshaft, carries engine power through the driveline so the wheels receive it smoothly. On 2023 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Legacy, and Impreza vehicles, the center support brace helps hold that shaft in position under the vehicle. Its bolts need proper clamp force so the shaft stays supported while the vehicle moves.
On affected vehicles, paint ended up on some mounting surfaces for the center support brace bolts during supplier manufacturing. That paint layer prevents the bolts from holding the specified torque. As the vehicle is driven, the bolts can loosen, and the front end of the propeller shaft can disconnect from its support.
Owners can notice irregular sounds or vibration from the propeller shaft area while driving. Those sounds or vibrations are the warning signs listed for this recall.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 Subaru model lines from the 2023 model year, all tied to the same propeller shaft assembly.
| 2023 Subaru Outback | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Ascent | driveline |
| 2023 Subaru Legacy | driveline |
| 2023 Subaru Impreza | driveline |
| Units affected | 4,311 |
| 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?
If the front end of the driveshaft separates, the vehicle has a higher crash risk. Irregular sounds or vibration from the propeller shaft area during driving are warning signs, so schedule service soon and avoid continuing to drive after those symptoms appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Legacy, or Impreza is included in this recall.
- Wait for Subaru repair instructions for your VIN before scheduling the dealer repair.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer once the repair is open and ask for the free driveshaft center-support-bolt service that secures the loose bolt mounting surfaces.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V647 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete and stop driving if you feel driveline vibration, hear unusual driveline noise, or lose power to the wheels.
What happens at the repair
Once Subaru opens the dealer repair, a Subaru technician will clean the bolt mounting surfaces for the center support brace and install new bolts, free under the recall. The work addresses the driveshaft support bolts that loosened on affected 2023 Outback, Ascent, Legacy, and Impreza vehicles. Subaru says its general reimbursement plan covers owners who already paid for related repairs before the recall notice. Keep receipts and repair paperwork, and ask Subaru customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 21, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 22, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| September 22, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 20, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 20, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 20, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V647?
Recall 23V647 covers 4,311 2023 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Legacy, and Impreza vehicles with center support bolts for the driveshaft that can loosen. If the front end of the driveshaft disconnects, crash risk increases. Subaru dealers will clean the mounting surfaces and install new bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2023 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Legacy, or Impreza is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V647. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall number 23V647 or Subaru recall WRN-23. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 23V647, Subaru dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driveshaft separation. Subaru says the center support bolts can loosen, which can let the front end of the driveshaft disconnect. That separation increases crash risk, so confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
When were owners notified about recall 23V647?
Subaru mailed owner notification letters on November 20, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your exact 2023 Subaru is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall number 23V647.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V647000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V647 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V647000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →