Another Safety Recall for 2010/2011 Subaru Legacy and Outback

Following two previous recalls on unrelated issues in May and June, Subaru has announced a third recall on its new Legacy sedan and Outback vehicles. July's [...] recall affects a total of 809 of its 2010-2011MY Legacy and Outback models manufactured from April 28 through June 23, 2010, because an oil lubrication hole was not drilled on the 6-speed manual transmission.

The automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that hole was omitted "due to a programming error".

According to the safety agency, because the transmission gears are not properly lubricated, the gears will eventually break. NHSTA added that a groaning sound may begin to develop alerting the driver of the problem.

Subaru said dealers will repair the vehicles by drilling an oil lubrication hole and, if necessary, replace any damaged internal parts with new ones free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about August 6, 2010. Owners of the affected models can contact the automaker at 1-800-782-2783.

Subaru Issues Another Recall for 2010 Legacy Sedan and Outback Models

Many owners of the 2010 Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback will soon receive a second recall notification for their cars in a period of a little over two months. In May, the Japanese company recalled both models over a problem with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). This latest recall concerns a "defect in the steering roll connector".

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that Subaru has yet to release full details on the matter. However, it appears that the problem is either identical or similar to the one that recently led Subaru Australia issue a recall on the domestic market versions of the Legacy (Liberty) and Outback. We'll update this story as soon as we have more info.

Subaru Issues Safety Recall for 2010 Legacy and Outback Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall for the 2010 model year Subaru Legacy sedans and Outback crossovers equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The recall affects a total of 29,443 vehicles in the States.

Subaru said in statement that there's a possibility a crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak. According to the Japanese maker, "if the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash."

The company added that it will notify owners and dealers soon and replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. For more information, owners of the affected models can contact Subaru at 1-856-488-8500.

Minor Updates for 2011 Subaru Legacy Sedan and Outback

The 2011 model year brings some subtle equipment updates and a modest price increase for Subaru's Legacy sedan and Outback.

Both vehicles receive equipment enhancements including manual-folding exterior mirrors, while Premium and Limited models equipped with Harman/Kardon audio now feature XM Satellite Radio and a three-month trial subscription. There are also new available colors for both cars.

Prices for all Legacy models aside from the Limited trim versions remain unchanged for the 2011MY, and range from $19,995 for the base 2.5 to $24,995 for the 3.6R.

Limited trim models receive a $300 price increase due to the inclusion of XM Satellite Radio, with the Legacy 2.5i Limited now starting from $25,295 and the Legacy 3.6R Limited from $28,295.

The 2011 Legacy 2.5GT sports sedan will be offered only in Limited trim and comes with a starting price of $31,395, an increase of $405. It now includes a standard power moonroof as well as XM Satellite Radio, fog lights, new simulated carbon-fiber dashboard trim, silver contrast seat and armrest stitching, and aluminum pedals.

For the 2011MY, the Outback receives a $200 price increase with the Outback 2.5i starting at $23,195 and the Outback 2.5i Premium at $24,495. New features for the Outback models include the addition of a Rear Vision Camera to the the Power Moonroof Package.

The Outback 2.5i Limited with Lineartronic CVT now starts at $28,495 while the six-cylinder Outback 3.6R is priced at $28,195. Finally, the Outback 3.6R Limited now starts at $31,495 and includes standard XM Satellite Radio.

*Photos: 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback

European-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback to Debut in Frankfurt

Already available in North America and Japan, the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback will have their European premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 17 through 27. Compared to their American counterparts, both models get a restyled front grille along plus redesigned lower part of the front bumper and larger exterior mirrors housing the turning signals.

The new Legacy Sedan and Station Wagon are 65 mm and 55 mm longer than their predecessors respectively while the wheelbase in both cases is expanded by 80 mm, allowing for greater rear legroom. In Europe the Legacy will be offered with two four-cylinder petrol engines, a 2.0-liter and a 2.5-liter unit, and Subaru's 2.0-liter turbo diesel boxer engine that makes 150 horsepower.

The fourth-generation Outback which is the crossover version of the Legacy Station Wagon featuring improved ground clearance and SUV-like protective body cladding will be sold in Europe with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel while certain markets will also get a range-topping 3.6-litre boxer 6-cylinder petrol model.

Japanese-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon Teased

In about a month's time, Subaru will proceed to the launch of the Japanese domestic market (JDM for short) version of the new Legacy that made its first global appearance at the New York Auto Show last week. For the time being, Subie has released a teaser shot of the JDM 2010 Legacy Touring Wagon which is essentially a USDM 2010 Outback without the raised ride height, roof rails and fancy-pansy plastic body cladding. Just for the record, the Legacy Touring Wagon will not be offered in the States.

From what we can tell by comparing the teaser photo of the JDM Legacy Touring Wagon to the US-spec Legacy, the Japanese version will also feature restyled exterior mirrors, a different headlight assembly and larger air intakes at the corners of the front bumper.

However, what we're all really interested in finding out is what will be hiding under the hood of the JDM Legacy and in particular, if Subaru will be revealing any details and photos on the STi versions of the sedan and estate variants of the model.

2010 Subaru Outback: 30 High-Res Photos and all the official Details

Making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show alongside the new 2010 Legacy sedan is Subaru's fourth-generation Outback model which is the only other version of the new Legacy that will be heading to the States. Like its sedan counterpart, the Outback is a little bit bigger than its predecessor while it also benefits from the introduction of revised powertrain options and an improved 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

Subaru says that even though the new Outback is clearly related to the previous generation models, it "marks a departure in design toward a new, bolder look." We'd go with boring and repeat that Subaru seriously needs to hire some capable designers to convey some beauty and character to the brand's products.

Like its predecessor and nearly any station wagon in the market that want to appear more "off-roadish", the Outback stands out thanks to the customary black body cladding, the higher roof rails and the aluminum decorations plus. Furthermore, ground clearance on the new model has been increased to 8.7 inches which is good news for those that actually use the Outback in the... outback.

Built on an all-new platform, the 2010 Outback sits on a 2.8 inch longer wheelbase, now 107.9 inches, while its also four inches taller and two inches wider than the previous model. However, due to the shorter front and rear overhangs, 2010 Outback is almost one inch shorter than its predecessor. Subaru supports that total passenger room is increased by 8 cubic feet, now 105.4 cu. ft., and maximum cargo capacity (with the standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded) is up by 6 cubic feet to 71.3 cu. ft.

The 2010MY Outback will be offered in the States with two engines, the revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer that delivers 170HP at 5,600 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm and a new 3.6-liter six-cylinder Boxer producing 256HP and 247 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The 2.5L unit comes with a new standard 6-speed manual transmission, or the available Lineartronic CVT while the 3.6L Boxer is teamed with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission.

All in all, Subaru offers three different Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive systems in the 2010 Outback line. The 2.5i models with a manual gearbox use a viscous-coupling locking center differential to distribute power 50/50 front to rear while the 2.5i with the CVT makes use of an electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch. As for the range-topping Outback 3.6R, it is fitted with a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive system that normally sends more power to the rear wheels, continuously adjusting power distribution.