Repair cost
$0–$0
Recall covers all 16 valve springs
DIY difficulty
5 / 5
Severity
Critical
Engine, safety, or drivability — fix before driving
Affected
2012-2013
FA20
What goes wrong
Improperly heat-treated valve springs from supplier crack and break, allowing the valve to drop into the cylinder.
Symptoms to watch for
- Sudden misfire that doesn't go away
- Engine stalls and won't restart
Root cause
Supplier defect — recall WQU-65 / NHTSA 18V-846 covers spring replacement.
In-article ad
Buy time with these
- • Avoid revving past 6,000 RPM until recall completed
Permanent fix
- Recall WQU-65 — all 16 valve springs replaced
Related recalls / TSBs
NHTSA 18V-846Subaru WQU-65
FAQ
What causes fa20 valve spring recall?
Supplier defect — recall WQU-65 / NHTSA 18V-846 covers spring replacement.
How much does it cost to fix?
National average $0–$0. Recall covers all 16 valve springs
Is this a DIY repair?
Difficulty 5/5. Recall WQU-65 — all 16 valve springs replaced
What are the symptoms?
Sudden misfire that doesn't go away; Engine stalls and won't restart
Sources
- • NHTSA recall 18V-846