Subaru of America is recalling 660,238 vehicles that are, or once were, registered in states that use road salt for snow removal operations.

Salt water might splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector and cause brake line corrosion, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. This corrosion can lead to brake fluid leakage and compromise brake performance, posing a safety threat. Stopping and slowing distances may increase. 

The recall affects:

• 2005-2009 MY Outback 

• 2005-2009 MY Legacy 

• 2008-2011 MY Impreza 

• 2008-2014 MY Impreza WRX/STI 

• 2009-2013 MY Forester.

These vehicles are currently or formerly registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

To address the problem, Subaru dealers will test the brake system and check for brake fluid leaks. If dealer technicians find no brake fluid seepage, they will rust-proof the affected areas with anti-corrosion wax. But if there’s evidence of brake fluid seepage, they will replace the brake lines and then perform the rust-proofing with anti-corrosion wax. There will be no charge for these services.

Vehicle owners can reach Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. 

This recall supersedes a previous recall (13V-110) that applied to certain 2005-2009 model-year Legacy and Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed, NHTSA said.