Subaru Recalls Cars to Fix Glitch Possibly Caused by Fabric Softener

It also makes more sense that some chemicals accidentally introduced in the car ("The issue would more likely be linked to cleaning products used around the brake pedals or some other substance that has silicon and that gives off the silicon gas.") and somehow depositing inside a brake pedal switch will prevent the rear brakes lamps to function (as opposed to the original WSJ article where "a brake-light switch that is also involved in starting the engine", which of course is possible but IMHO unlikely).

Clickbaity as hell (WSJ): >If you drive a Subaru, you may want to avoid wearing perfume or a sweater treated with fabric softener—they could prevent the engine from starting.