Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly (Subaru)
Vehicle recall 78V-181. NHTSA received SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.’s report on Aug 17, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.’s report on Aug 17, 1978. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
A TUBE IN THE FUEL EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM CAN BECOME OBSTRUCTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK.
THIS USUALLY OCCURS IN EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES OR INTENSE SUNLIGHT.
EXCESSIVE PRESSURE BUILD-UP CAUSES THE FUEL TANK TO BULGE.
A SHORT HAIRLINE CRACK MAY DEVELOP AND FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED TUBE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY IN THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE, VEHICLE DAMAGE ANDSERIOUS INJURY TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS..
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 23,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Subaru Bratand 1978 and 1979, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.