Earlier this week Subaru issued a recall on 2012 models of three of its cars. The cars included in the recall are Impreza, Outback and Legacy. The reason for the recall is a defect with the car's brakes. In addition to the recall, the car company has instructed its dealers to stop selling the cars.

Subaru's parent company, Fujitsu Heavy Industries, has indicated that the brakes on these vehicles work. The recall is due to what it is characterizing as "greater than usual" travel in the brake pedal. So far, of the close to 3,000 vehicles included in the recall that have been sold, the issue has been reported around 130 times. Thus far no accidents have been reported in connection with the faulty brakes.

At this point the car company suspects the brake issue is due to faulty brake master cylinders. This particular part is used in the U.S. built Outback and Legacy models. Some were also used in the Japan built Imprezas. The component can reportedly be replaced in around an hour.

Many separate components are utilized to create the cars on the roads today. A defect in just one of those parts can cause the entire vehicle to be defective. When a defect occurs in the process of being built, it is known as a manufacturing defect. In the best case scenarios, defects are identified before they cause anyone to be injured. In worst case scenarios, someone may be injured or die due to the product defect.

Any time someone is injured due to a product defect it is a good idea to consult an attorney to explore one's options.

Source: Consumer Reports, "Subaru recalls 2012 Legacy, Outback and Impreza cars for brake issues," Paul Eng, Dec. 1, 2011