Where the record comes from

Sources

Last updated November 15, 2026

Every number and every claim on Flat Four Files comes from a public document you can look up yourself. This page lists where the documents come from and how to read them.

Where the data comes from

• Safety recalls and owner complaints: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. government agency for vehicle safety. Data read from NHTSA on November 15, 2026. Public lookup: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
• Manufacturer documents: Subaru’s own published material, such as the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet for each model year. We name the document and the model year every time we use one.
• Service bulletins and communications: the manufacturer communications that NHTSA publishes. Each file gives the document number so you can find the original.

How to read a complaint

A complaint is a report that a vehicle owner filed with NHTSA. It is the owner’s own account. It is not a confirmed defect, and it does not mean the same problem exists in your car. A recall is different: it is a safety action registered with NHTSA, and the manufacturer fixes it at no charge to you.

Check your own car

Recalls apply to specific vehicles. The only way to know whether your car has an open recall is to look up its 17-character VIN on NHTSA’s recall page, or to ask a Subaru dealer. Do this before relying on anything you read here.

What we do not use

We do not use forum posts, rumors or unsourced claims as evidence. Photographs on this site are AI-generated illustrations, not pictures of real owners or vehicles. If you find a mistake, write to [email protected] with the page and the document number, and we will check it against the source.