Subaru’s Positions Against Recycled and Aftermarket Parts is a Consumer Disservice and May Violate Federal Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:  April 14, 2020                            

Contact:  Sandy Blalock
sandy@a-r-a.org
 
Manassas, VA - The Automotive Recyclers Association expresses extreme concern with two recent Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) position statements on the repair procedures. In Subaru’s position statement on Use of Aftermarket Substitute Parts on Subaru Vehicles, Subaru “strongly recommends” the use of Subaru Genuine Parts in a Subaru Certified Collision Center. Additionally, Subaru “does not support the use of parts that have been removed, salvaged or recycled from an existing vehicle.” And most importantly, in violation of the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty law, Subaru states the “The use of any aftermarket or substitute structural, body, mechanical or electrical repair parts is not covered under the Subaru of America, Inc., limited warranty, replacement parts limited warranty…”  The Federal Trade Commission expressly states that “Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty” (Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Information, “Auto Warranties and Routine Maintenance, May 2015).  Under this federal law, Subaru is obligated to honor the warranties of vehicles that have been repaired using aftermarket or recycled parts.

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) strongly opposes Subaru’s position statements which will mislead consumers and effectively ban the use of safe and economical alternative parts.  ARA Executive Director Sandy Blalock notes that “Auto manufacturers have become more aggressive in their efforts to force recycled original equipment (ROE) and aftermarket parts out of the market.  The tactics stifle competition, greatly increasing costs to consumers which in turn can also cause more repairable vehicles to be declared “total loss”.  ARA would point out that Subaru original equipment recycled parts are the very same parts manufactured by Subaru and have a long history of having been used in making vehicle repairs.

Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of recycled original equipment (ROE) automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents the interests of over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world.