Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system (Subaru)
Vehicle recall 79V-016. NHTSA received SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.’s report on Jan 11, 1979.
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The short answer
NHTSA received SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.’s report on Jan 11, 1979. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 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.
UNSATISFACTORY ENGINE OPERATION AND THROTTLE VALVE STICKING MAY OCCUR UNDER LONG HOURS OF HIGH SPEED DRIVING IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES OF APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW.
THIS IS CAUSED BY CONDENSED WATER VAPOR DRAWN FROM THE CRANKCASE VENTILATING SYSTEM WHICH ICES UP THE CARBURETOR.
THIS CAN LEAD TO GRADUAL LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER AND EVENTUAL STALLING OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL EQUIP ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A REVISED DESIGN CRANKCASE VENTILATION AND CARBURETOR SHIELD. AN AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL, DESIGNED TO SHOOT HOT AIR INTO THE CARBURETOR TO REDUCE ICING, WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; CARBURETOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF EITHER SITUATION OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, AVEHICLE ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 170,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Subaru Subaruand 1977 and 1978, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 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 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 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 26, 2026.