Subaru’s Massive Defective Fuel Pump Lawsuit Settlement Details

Is Subaru's defective fuel pump issue finally resolved? 

It's not Subaru's fault, but they have had a long, drawn-out court battle because Denso, its fuel pump supplier, sold them defective units for many of its vehicles. A recent court ruling resolves claims that Denso fuel pumps in the brand's vehicles caused vehicle failures, engine damage, and more.

ClassActions says, "Under the terms of the Subaru settlement, drivers can receive multiple benefits, such as an extended replacement parts limited warranty for replaced low-pressure fuel pumps, a customer support program to address problems with original equipment low-pressure fuel pumps, a loaner/towing program for vehicles undergoing fuel pump repairs, and reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses." 

This settlement is designed to provide relief to affected Subaru owners.

Which Subaru model and years does it cover?

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees of certain 2018-2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and BRZ vehicles and certain 2017-2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and BRZ vehicles equipped with defective Denso fuel pumps. 

According to the class action lawsuit, Subaru equipped some of its vehicles with defective Denso fuel pumps that could cause low pressure, leading to engine stalling, sputtering, shutdown, and, possibly, a crash.

The long-running Subaru fuel pump lawsuit has lasted for nearly four years. I've followed this case since the first fuel pump lawsuit in 2020, providing comprehensive updates for Subaru owners. Check out my report here. 

Subaru has issued a recall.

It's important to note that Subaru and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a defective fuel pump recall in November 2020 for the 2019 Subaru Outback, 2019 Ascent, 2019 Impreza, and 2019 Legacy models.

In August 2021, Subaru issued another fuel pump recall affecting Forester, Outback, Ascent, WRX, Impreza, Legacy, and BRZ carlines. 165,026 Subaru vehicles were recalled. Read my report here. 

Here is what customers need to know.

Subaru will offer an extended warranty for the fuel pumps for 15 years after replacing the defective pump. This means that if your vehicle is part of the recall and the fuel pump is replaced, you will have an extended warranty period for the new fuel pump. 

Subaru has offered reimbursements and loaner vehicles during the original recalls. However, the settlement states that customers may receive reimbursements if they were previously denied, provided they can provide proof of denial. If you believe you are eligible for reimbursement, you must prove that Subaru denied your request.

The settlement will not apply in all cases.

The lawsuit says," Out-of-pocket expenses resulting from damage, collision, and misuse/abuse will not be eligible for reimbursement. Vehicles where the title, before the date of the qualifying Fuel Pump repair, was transferred to a salvage yard, junkyard, wreckage facility, or similar entity, inoperable vehicles, and vehicles with titles marked flood-damaged are not eligible for this benefit."

If a settlement vehicle wasn't previously recalled and needs to be towed to a dealer, the owner can arrange to have it towed by contacting a Subaru dealer.

The exclusion and objection deadline is Oct. 29, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2024.

Many of the benefits from the settlement do not require a claim form. You can access the claim form here. 

ClassActions says in order to receive reimbursement, class members must submit a valid claim form within 90 days of the court's final approval order. Based on a final approval hearing date of Nov. 18, 2024, the tentative claim deadline is Feb. 16, 2025.

Who's Eligible?

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees of certain 2018-2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and BRZ vehicles and certain 2017-2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and BRZ vehicles equipped with defective Denso fuel pumps. If you fall into this category, you are eligible to benefit from this settlement.

Subaru owners can use the VIN lookup tool on the settlement website to determine if their vehicle is part of this settlement. This tool allows you to enter your vehicle's VIN and instantly find out if it's covered by the settlement, saving you time and effort. You can access the VIN lookup tool here. 

It's important to note that Subaru denies any wrongdoing. In agreeing to settle the fuel pump lawsuit, Subaru denies all liability and wrongdoing.

What should Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, and BRZ owners do?

If you still need to update your vehicle with the new fuel pump in the current recall campaign, check your Subaru recall and VIN lookup here.

If you continue to have problems with your Subaru vehicle, you can report a safety issue to the NHTSA. The NHTSA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of cars on the road, and your report can help them identify potential issues and take appropriate action. You can report a safety issue by going to the link here or calling 1-888-327-4236.

Have you experienced problems with your Subaru fuel pump? If so, we encourage you to share your experience. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know. Your story can help other Subaru owners.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Suburban Subaru