Vehicle recall 79V016000 · January 11, 1979
1977-1978 Subaru Subaru
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…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: fuel; carburetor.consequences of defect: if either situation occurs while driving in traffic, avehicle accident may occur.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 79V016000
- Reported to NHTSA
- January 11, 1979
- Filed by
- SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Owner notification
- April 30, 1979
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 170,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Subaru Subaru (1977-1978): 1978, 1977
Has your Subaru been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Subaru dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.