This information is courtesy Subaru of America (SoA).

Summary
(read the full official announcement below.)

Panic? No. This involves an automatic transmission part which prevents a car from rolling out of park so set the parking brake and curb your tires when on a hill like the driving teacher said. It's certainly a good idea anyway. The recalled part is called a 'pawl'.

Read on...

Which cars: Automatic transmission only. No manual tranmission vehicles are involved.

Years-models:
2001  Legacy L, Outback, GT
2002  all Legacy, Forester, Impreza
2003  early production Legacy, Outback, Baja, Forester and Impreza

What: automatic transmission vehicles may have a defective part (a 'pawl') that may allow them to roll backwards when in park.

How many. SoA expects app 8,200 may have this defective parts but they are recalling 163,243 to check.

Am I in danger? Use your parking brake and curb your tires when on a hill like the driving teacher said....

How will I be contacted? Registered owners will get a letter in mid-November.

How do I get registered?
Bought new. You should be registered. To be sure sign up with Subaru for email notification.
Bought used. You should sign up with Subaru for email notification if you haven't already. You'll need your car VIN

But I moved? How will their letter find me? Did you send Subaru your new address yet? Sign up....
But I don't have email? Call 1-800-Subaru-3 (and how are you reading this page?)

FAQ I contact Subaru I sign up with Subaru for email notification about your car

full text below

"Subaru of America Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain 2001, 2002 and 2003 Model Year Vehicles with Automatic Transmission.

On November 7, Subaru announced a forthcoming voluntary recall for a possible defect in the automatic transmission parking rod.

Subaru is taking these prudent measures to ensure the safety of our owners, which is our top priority.

The campaign was launched as a result of finding out-of-specification parts during quality assurance testing.

There have been no reported injuries as a result of this condition.

This recall affects 163,243 automatic transmissions that were installed in very late production 2001 Legacy vehicles, all 2002 Legacy, Outback, Forester and Impreza vehicles and some early production 2003 Legacy, Outback, Baja, Forester and Impreza vehicles.

When the transmission selector lever of affected vehicles is placed in the "Park" position, the mechanism that is intended to
hold the vehicle in "Park" may not fully engage, and the vehicle could move without prior warning.

Properly applying the parking brake will prevent vehicle movement even if this condition exists.

It is important to note that less than 0.5% of the 163,243 vehicles indicated are suspected to have this condition. However, all vehicles will have the new parts installed to ensure the safety of our owners.

Repair parts should be available in January 2003.

Subaru will soon mail a letter to all registered owners of the affected vehicles, advising them to always use their parking brake when the vehicle is in the "Park" position, as directed in the Owner's Manual.
A second letter will be sent to owners when the repair parts are available early next year.
Repairs will be made at authorized Subaru dealers at no charge to owners.

Frequently Asked Questions: If you have additional questions please contact Subaru

1) Which Subaru vehicles are affected by this recall?

Some 2001, all 2002 and some 2003 model year vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission are affected by the recall.

The number of potentially affected vehicles is approximately 163,243. However, less than .05% of the total are suspected to actually have improperly manufactured parts. But, in the interest of safety, new parts will be installed in all vehicles.

2)  When will owners be notified of this recall?

Registered owners of affected vehicles will be sent a letter by first class mail around November 14, 2002 advising them of the recall and the precautions they should take until parts are available for the repair.

Affected owners who have created a personal My.Subaru Web site will also receive an email notification the week of November 11th.

If you do not have a personal My.Subaru Web site, but would like to create one so you receive email notification of any possible recall, please click here.

3)    When will parts be available?
Parts will be available beginning in January, 2003.

4)    How will owners know that parts are available?

When parts are available, affected owners will receive a second letter via first class mail asking them
to schedule an appointment with their Subaru dealer to have repairs performed at no charge to them.

Affected owners who have created a personal My.Subaru Web site will also receive an email
notification at that time.

If you do not have a personal My.Subaru Web site, but would like to create one so you receive email
notification of any possible recall, please click here.

5)    What should owners do in the meantime?
    -
To ensure the vehicle remains stationary while parked, always engage the parking brake.
Properly applying the parking brake will prevent the vehicle from moving while it is parked, even
if this condition does exist in the vehicle. "

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Text courtesy subaru.com. Please contact them with questions or concerns regarding your vehicle.
November 2002

What is a VIN? Vehicle Identificition Number.
17 numbers and letters.

Where do I find this?
On your registration papers or title
On your insurance card
In the feft front windshield corner and driver's door jam

This page for information purposes only.
Contact Subaru and make sure they know what car you have.

Joe Spitz
November 2002