2003 Subaru Baja, 2003 Subaru Legacy, 2003 Subaru Outback Recall: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER…
NHTSA campaign 02V240000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Sep 13, 2002 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES, THE WATER PUMP PULLEY CENTER HOLE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED.
The risk
IN SOME INSTANCES, THE INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN THE INNER WALL OF THE PULLEY CENTER HOLE AND THE WATER PUMP DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT AS TIGHT AS SPECIFIED IN THE DRAWING SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE WATER PUMP PULLEY DISLODGING FROM THE WATER PUMP SHAFT, WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE/SEIZURE DURING VEHICLE USAGE.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Subaru Baja recalls
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- 2005–2006 Saab 9-2X and 6 other models — Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their…
- 2005–2006 Saab 9-2X and 6 other models — Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation…
- 2005–2006 Subaru Baja and 5 other models — These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators…
- 2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca and 7 other models — Virgin Islands
Other campaigns involving Subaru vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 02V240000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.