Subaru and Toyota recall more than 400,000 cars worldwide due to engine problems

Subaru and Toyota would have recalled more than 400,000 vehicles worldwide because of an engine problem that could cause the stall of the models concerned.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Subaru is responsible for the majority of the recall, with Toyota accounting for only 80,000 of the estimated 400,000 vehicles recalled. Affected models include Subaru Forester SUVs, Impreza and BRZ sports cars, and Subaru-manufactured Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S.

The problem in question concerns the risk of rupture of the valve springs in the engine, which could stall vehicles and increase the risk of accidents. According to the report, Subaru expects repairs to take more than 12 hours.

All vehicles included in the global recall were manufactured between January 2012 and September 2013. Regarding the impact on the United States, WSJ reports that 25,000 Scion FR-S are affected and that the Toyota 86 has been sold in the USA.

According to Subaru, 100,000 of the recalled vehicles were sold in Japan and approximately 270,000 in the United States. The Journal adds that a Tokyo-based automotive expert, Takaki Nakanishi, has criticized the recall, noting that it raised questions about the quality of Toyota's Investor Relations.

The recall has not yet been filed with federal regulators, but affected US homeowners should begin receiving notification of the problem in December.

On Thursday, November 1, Toyota announced a completely separate recall of approximately 17,000 Scion xA 2004-2006 cars to the United States. In this recall, the Japanese automaker says that the airbag system could be short-circuited and unfold unexpectedly.

To search for active reminders, use the NHTSA website to search for your 17-digit VIN at this link. VIN numbers are usually located under the driver's windshield, or inside the doors behind the seat or under the steering wheel. To sign up for NHTSA security alerts for a specific vehicle, sign up for this link.