Should You File a Subaru Class Action Lawsuit?

Drivers on the market for a new car rely on representations from car manufacturers to make a wise purchase decision. Many drivers prioritize safety and reliability. However, a driver can end up with a dangerous and ineffective vehicle even if they have done their research, conducted a test drive, and read the information provided by a dealer and car maker.

This can occur if a company falsely represents the safety of a vehicle. In a Subaru class action lawsuit, consumers have pointed the finger at Subaru for supposedly concealing a dangerous defect.

Subaru Class Action Lawsuit Overview

Consumers have filed claims alleging that some Subaru vehicles possess an unintended acceleration defect — meaning that they can speed up when the driver puts their foot on the brake pedal. Specifically, consumers have stated that this problem exists in 2012 – 2018 Subaru Forester, 2015 – 2019 Subaru Legacy, and 2015 – 2019 Subaru Outback vehicles.

According to consumers, Subaru has not sufficiently handled the problem. Consumers have argued that they were financially injured by the problem and put at physical risk. Car Complaints notes that many drivers have reported the problem to the NHTSA. 

What Is Sudden Acceleration?

Sudden acceleration is a problem that consumers have reported not only in Subaru cars, but in other vehicles, like Tesla and Toyotas. The problem can allegedly occur when a driver puts their foot on the brake, but the vehicle speeds up instead of slowing down. This can put a driver and others at risk for an injurious or deadly crash.

Consumer Reports explained that after Toyota was accused of extensive unintended acceleration issues, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration considered implementing certain safety measures that could prevent this kind of problem. The proposed safety measures would have required manufacturers to implement technology that would override the throttle if the driver slammed their foot on the brake in the event of unintended acceleration. 

The administration did not ultimately implement such a requirement, because many car manufacturers had implemented such technology. However, in the case of a Subaru unintended acceleration lawsuit, drivers claimed that even this secondary safety measure failed, leading a problem with the throttle to result in unintended acceleration.

What Causes Sudden Acceleration?

Auto Body News explains that consumers assert that the sudden acceleration problem occurs when the throttle body assembly, powertrain control module, and circuit board malfunction, causing the vehicle to accelerate when it should not. According to Car From Japan, problems with the car’s electronics can cause the throttle to expand wide open, allowing the car to accelerate when it should not. 

This problem is allegedly compounded when the brake override systems do not work and do not effectively override this unintended acceleration, notes Auto Body News.

Which Subaru Models Have Sudden Acceleration Problems?

Drivers have said that the 2012 – 2018 Subaru Forester, 2015 – 2019 Subaru Legacy, and 2015 – 2019 Subaru Outback vehicles are plagued with the sudden, unintended acceleration defect.

Did Subaru Conceal the Sudden Acceleration Defect?

In a Subaru class action lawsuit, drivers argue that Subaru has been aware of the unintended acceleration issue since at least 2011, but has tried to conceal it from consumers. Some customers who filed a class action lawsuit over the issue alleged that Subaru instructed dealers to tell customers that the vehicles were functioning normally and were free of defects.

In some instances, if a dealer did acknowledge an issue to the drivers, they misattributed the problem to the floor mats, said the drivers. According to the driver, this is a common practice in the automotive industry, designed to misdirect consumers from the true, much more costly problem.

Allegedly, Subaru should have implemented a recall to repair the problem and protect consumers from both potential physical and financial injury.

Why Are Subaru Class Action Lawsuits Being Filed?

Drivers have filed Subaru unintended acceleration class action lawsuit in an attempt to hold Subaru liable for their alleged wrongdoing. According to the consumers, the company violated the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act as well as the consumers protection laws in several states.

Consumers are attempting to gain compensation for themselves and others who may have been affected by Subaru’s supposed unintended acceleration problem. Class Action Lawsuits are one way in which consumers can hold car companies accountable and keep unsafe vehicles off of the road.

Should You File a Subaru Class Action Lawsuit?

If you own a 2012 – 2018 Subaru Forester, 2015 – 2019 Subaru Legacy, and 2015 – 2019 Subaru Outback, and you experienced the unintended acceleration defect, you may have a legal claim in a Subaru class action lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit could be one way to get compensation for the alleged defect in your vehicle.

The Subaru Unintended Acceleration Class Action Lawsuit is Danny W., et al. v. Subaru of America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv05876, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. 

Join a Free Subaru Unintended Acceleration Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you have owned or leased 2012–2018 Subaru Forester, a 2015­–2019 Subaru Outback, or a 2015–2019 Subaru Legacy that has experienced sudden Subaru unintended acceleration issues, you may be able to join this class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.