How many problems does the 2002 SUBARU WRX have?

The 2002 SUBARU WRX currently has 426 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2002 SUBARU WRX?

The most common problems reported for the 2002 SUBARU WRX are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2002 SUBARU WRX problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2002 SUBARU WRX comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2002 SUBARU WRX Problems

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

258 complaints

WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE MY CAR SMELLS LIKE RAW FUEL VERY STRONGLY IN THE CABIN RESULTING IN HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG-ST THESE CARS AND SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY HAD AN EXTENDED RECALL BUT DOES NOT COVER THE PROBLEM NOW. *TR

Apr 23, 2014

STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AND/OR BURNT OIL INSIDE THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY. I CONTACTED SUBARU LONG AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FROM SUBARU NATIONAL SAYING MY CAR "MAY" BE PART OF THIS RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER. THEY SAID UNLESS THEY CAN EITHER SMELL FUEL OR FIND THE PROBLEM THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. SUBARU NATIONAL SAID THE SAME THING "UNLESS WE CAN SMELL FUEL ODOR" WE WILL NOT PAY FOR INSPECTING AND FIXING YOUR VEHICLE. *TR

Jun 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT PART THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THREE DAYS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS A YEAR AGO. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE THE PART. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SEARCH FOR PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PART. THE CONTACT PERFORMED SOME REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING UNSAFE SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,599.

Jun 07, 2011

FUEL ODOR INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. FILE COMPLAINT UNDER ODI NUMBER 10380798 NEED TO CORRECT MILEAGE TO 107,310 DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN I FILED COMPLAINT. *TR

Feb 05, 2011

SEVERAL TIMES IN THE WINTERS OF 2008 & 2009 (SO FAR) WHEN FIRST STARTING MY CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER (ALTHOUGH THE LAST TIME IN DEC. 2009 THE TEMP WAS COOL BUT ABOVE FREEZING) I WOULD GET A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR AND HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMED UP. CHECKING YOUR WEBSITE I FOUND A RECALL DATED DEC. 1, 2009 (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA09011) THAT SEEMS TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENS. I CALLED SUBARU AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT I MUST TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAVE THEM INSPECT AND REPAIR IT AT MY EXPENSE. THEY WOULD SEND THE RESULTS TO SUBARU WHICH WOULD DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ANY PART OF MY EXPENSES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO WHAT I DEEM A SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE. *TR

Feb 12, 2010

+ 253 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

61 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE ABS ACTIVATED. HE WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A RAPID STOP. HE STATED THAT IT WAS LUCK THAT THE VEHICLE IN-FRONT TURNED LEFT; AND HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE ABS FAILURE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 02/28/11

Dec 08, 2010

SEVERAL TIMES (ABOUT ONCE A YEAR ON AVERAGE) SINCE I PURCHASED MY SUBARU WRX IN 2001 THE BRAKES BRIEFLY FAIL. THE DESCRIPTION SEEMS IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE 2010 PRIUS IN THAT THERE IS NO BRAKING FOR A BRIEF TIME WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, RAILROAD TRACKS OR SIMPLY GOING DOWNHILL ON A WET ROAD. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT I WOULD GUESS HAPPENED IN THE FALL OF 2009 WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL WITH SUDDEN BRAKING REQUIRED ON A WET SURFACE. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP I ALERTED OUR SUBARU DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY DID "A FIRMWARE UPDATE". I DON'T THINK THIS MADE A DIFFERENCE BUT SINCE IT IS A RARE BUT SCARY OCCURRENCE I REALLY COULD NOT TELL. *TR

Feb 12, 2010

THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2002 SUBARU SOMETIMES GETS SOFT (LOOSES BRAKE PRESSURE), SPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD AND THE SITS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED AN EXPANSION VALVE( ? ), BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK ON OCCASION. THIS PROBLEM MAKES ME FEEL INSECURE ABOUT MY BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING IS OK, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

May 11, 2008

DRIVING DURING VERY LIGHT RAIN IN LEFT LANE ABOUT 30 MPH, CAR IN FRONT (ABOUT 2-3 CAR-LENGTHS AHEAD) STARTS BRAKING. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND ABS CAME ON WITHOUT ANY REASON, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN ALMOST AT ALL, FORCING ME TO SWITCH THE LANE QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT. WHILE SWITCHING LANES, CAR STARTED SKIDDING AND DIVING THE NOSE TO THE RIGHT/TAIL TO THE LEFT, I TRIED TO CORRECT THE NOSE TO THE LEFT, BUT THAT CAUSED A MORE DANGEROUS SKID TO THE LEFT, TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE WHEEL RIGHT AGAIN, TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE CAR SPUN OUT AND HIT A TREE ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AND STAYED THERE OVERNIGHT FOR OBSERVATION, RELEASED NEXT DAY. NOBODY WAS INJURED, THE TREE HAD A FEW VERY SMALL SCRATCHES. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT IF THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRABLE OR TOTALED. *NM

Oct 11, 2005

Crash: 1

I WAS DRIVING MY 02 SUBARU WRX ON THE HIGHWAY. I NEED TO STOP SUDDENLY AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN. THIS CAUSE ME TO REAR END A FORD EXPLORER. THIS CAUSE APPROXIMATELY $3800 IN DAMAGES. *NM

Oct 07, 2004

Crash: 1

+ 56 more complaints for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

22 complaints

I HAVE THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM COVERED IN RECALL NUMBER 09V468000 IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX BUT MY CAR IS REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA AND APPEARS NOT TO BE COVERED. I CAN SMELL GAS AND SEE IT POOL ON THE ENGINE, ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEAR TURBO COMPONENTS, WHEN STARTING MY CAR AT ABOUT 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON IN THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF CALIFORNIA. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS IF THE FUEL IGNITES IN THE ENGINE BAY. WHY AREN'T ALL OF THESE CARS BEING RECALLED? THE STATE SELECTION CRITERIA SEEMS ARBITRARY, SINCE ALL STATES EXPERIENCE COLD ENOUGH WEATHER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO PERSIST. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR CATCHES FIRE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM TAKEN SERIOUSLY? *TR

Jan 05, 2010

I HAVE THE FUEL LEAK/ SMELL ISSUE COVERED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V468000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA09011. I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT IT APPEARS TO BE WORSE THIS WINTER IN THAT IT HAPPENS AT TEMPERATURES JUST BELOW FREEZING NOW. IN PREVIOUS WINTERS IT WOULD HAVE TO BE BELOW 20 DEGREES BEFORE I WOULD NOTICE THE SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE. I NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN STOPPED AND IDLING IN THE COLD WEATHER. IN PARTICULAR WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN AND REGISTERED IN MASSACHUSETTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. MASSACHUSETTS IS FURTHER NORTH THAN CO AND PARTS OF NE, IA AND NY WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Jan 04, 2010

I HAVE THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM COVERED IN RECALL NUMBER 09V468000 IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX BUT MY CAR IS REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND APPEARS NOT TO BE COVERED. I CAN SMELL GAS AND SEE IT POOL ON THE ENGINE WHEN STARTING MY CAR BELOW ABOUT 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHY AREN'T ALL OF THESE CARS BEING RECALLED? EVEN A CAR REGISTERED IN FLORIDA MAY SPEND A FEW DAYS IN A NORTHERN STATE AND LEAK GASOLINE WHEN STARTED. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR CATCHES FIRE? *TR

Dec 29, 2009

I BOUGHT A 2002 SUBARU WRX IN SEPTEMBER AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE RAW FUEL SMELL UNTIL IT STARTED GETTING COLD. I NOTICED IT EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES F. ONE NIGHT I LET IS RUN TO WARM UP AND SAW A LARGE PUDDLE OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE OIL/GAS MIXTURE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHER 2002 WRX OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO A FUEL LINE LEAK. I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Dec 22, 2008

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX THAT HAS A FUEL LEAK WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. IT OCCURS USUALLY ON START UP AND LASTS USUALLY 10-15 MINUTES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR (SEE THE FOLLOWING WEB LINK) HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755 MANY CAR OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT SUBARU REFUSES TO CORRECT IT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DANGER (IE FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD). SEVERAL FIRES HAVE EVEN BEEN REPORTED - ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS. *TR

Nov 14, 2008

+ 17 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

15 complaints

SOA GOLD PLUS ADDED SECURITY 7 YEAR/100,000 MI CONTRACT COVERAGE SO EXTENSIVE IT'S EASIER TO LIST WHAT IS NOT COVERED! 2002 WRX 64,500 MI NOW AT METRIC SUBARU DIX HILLS, NY BLEW OUT TRANS/MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY & WANTS $3,600. METRIC REPLACED MANUAL CLUTCH ASS 62,980 MI, COSTING $1,175 & BROUGHT BACK CAR LESS THAN 400 MI LATER BECAUSE OF CRUNCHING WHEN SHIFTING IN FIRST & REVERSE & WASN'T FIXED BECAUSE METRIC COULDN'T VERIFY COMPLAINT. FEW DAYS LATER GEAR STUCK IN REVERSE & CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET. SUBARU TOWED CAR TO METRIC, COULDN'T VERIFY COMPLAINT AS GEAR BECAME UNSTUCK. NEW YEARS DAY, WITH DROPPED CLUTCH PEDAL COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR SO SUBARU TOWED CAR BACK TO METRIC. UPON CALLING SOA RECEIVED # 1072552 FROM LES HANDLEY AND AFTER SIGNING $500. AUTH TEAR DOWN CHG WAS THEN TOLD TRANS/MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BLOWN OUT/ GEARS STRIPPED/CHIPPED. SOA REFUSES TO AUTHORIZE DEALER TO FIX THE CAR ASSERTING ABUSED CAR AND DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY. METRIC EXPLAINED MANUAL TRANS A PROBLEM AND WE SEE RESEARCHING WEBSITE, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS NEARLY SAME IDENTICAL STORY OF TRANS & MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BLOWN OUT/GEARS STRIPPED/CHIPPED WITH SOA DENYING REPAIRS ASSERTING ABUSE. IS IT POSSIBLE EVERY OWNERS TALE OF WOE IS A LIE? SUBARU REPLACED OUR TRANS 29,068 MI AFTER FINDING GEARS, SYNROS AND SLEEVES DEFECTIVE. SUBARU THREE MONTHS LATER AT 29,740 MI FOUND TRANSMISSION LEAKING, SEEING TRANSMISSION CASE POROUS & REPLACED IT. 42,546 MI SUBARU REPLACED WORN REVERSE TRANS SHIFT RAIL AND CLIP. SOA CUSTOMER CARE REP, PATRICIA HUNG UP ON US WHILE WE TRIED TO OBTAIN SATISFACTION ON CLAIM FOR REPAIRS UNDER SERVICE CONTRACT, STATING DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPS INFORMED HER WE ABUSED THE CAR AND DROVE IT AGGRESSIVELY, A FACT THEY OUT AND OUT DENIED TO OUR FACE WHEN CONFRONTED ON THAT MATTER. SERVICE REP INFORMED US THEY SENT PICS AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR & WAS DENIED WITH OUR SERVICE REP FEELING SOA WAS LOOKING TO AVOID THIS EXTREMELY EXPLOSIVE ISSUE. *TR

Jan 16, 2008

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHIFT INTO FIRST THERE IS A GRIND NOISE. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND I REPORTED IT AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THE DEALER COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT.. FINALLY AFTER DOING IN FOR OVER A YEAR IT HAS GOTTEN BAD ENOUGH THEY COULD REPRODUCE IT.. THEY TORE IT DOWN AND THE FIRST GEAR SYNCHO IS BAD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY STATING DRIVER ABUSE.. THIS IS TOTAL BS I NEVER ABUSED THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE AND OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT BETWEEN MY WIFE AND I WE HAVE HAD 6 CARS WITH STANDARDS AND HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM.. THE ABUSE CLAIM IS JUST TO GET OUT OF PAYING FOR A FAILURE OVER TIME IN A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE IS SUPPOSED TO COVER IT.*JB

Oct 13, 2005

I HAVE EXPERIENCED "CLUTCH SHUDDER" ON MY 2002 WRX. THE DEALERSHIPS I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO (3) SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO HAVE LEFT IT UNADDRESSED. THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY LIKE IT WAS BEING JACKHAMMERED WHEN FIRST DRIVEN. NO DEALER WILL REPAIR IT UNDER THE TSB THAT WAS ISSUED BY SUBARU.

May 23, 2005

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACE MY CAR IN NEUTRAL IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. SO I HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND PUT IT INTO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE ALREADY COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY JUST SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. *JB

Feb 17, 2005

THE CAR NEVER SHIFTED GEARS EASILY FROM WHEN NEW. AT 13,000 MILES THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH UNDER WARRANTY WITH AN '03 SPEC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE SHUDDERING CEASED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WHINED EXCESSIVELY AND IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. LAST WEEK, IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, ALL POWER WAS LOST AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED BY REP AND DEEMED TO BE ABUSED, THEREFORE, NO COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN IS SUBARU GOING TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM IN THAT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE INCREASE POWER OF THE WRX MOTOR? THERE WAS NO ABUSE, NO RACING OR DRIVER ERROR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURE. I AM FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Feb 07, 2005

+ 10 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

14 complaints

ON MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD (NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL) THE ABS KICKS IN AND IF I HIT THE BRAKES DIRECTLY AFTERWARDS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE SEVERELY WEAK BREAKS FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN THEY COME BACK. IVE REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS, AND BRAKE FLUID AND THE ISSUE STILL HAPPENS. SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIMS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER CAR WITH ABS. IM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ABS AND KNOW HOW IT WORKS THE PROBLEM IS AFTER IT ENGAGES IF YOU BRAKE AGAIN 2-3 SECONDS AFTER IT ENGAGED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AS IF THERES ONLY 20% BRAKEING FORCE. IVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ONE TIME I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING 5MPH AND THIS HAPPENED AND I ALMOST DRIFTED INTO A PARKED CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. PLEASE VIEW THIS WEBSITE HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=102893 MANY 2002 AND UP SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCEING THIS. THE ABS ISNT THE PROBLEM AGAIN ITS THE LOSS OF BRAKEING AFTER THE ABS WAS ENGAGED MAYBE THE ABS COMPUTER ISNT WORKING CORRECTLY/FAST ENOUGH? THANK YOU

Mar 18, 2007

IF I TRY TO BRAKE OVER ROUGH OR SLIPPERY PAVEMENT IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, THE ABS SYSTEM SHUTS OFF THE BRAKES. POTHOLES, MANHOLE COVERS, FROST HEAVES, ICY PATCHES, ANY OF THESE CAUSE THIS BEHAVIOR. ALSO, IN NOVEMBER 2004, WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT ABOUT 30 TO 35 MPH ON DRY AND MOSTLY CLEAN PAVEMENT, A TRUCK DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED GRADUALLY. I HIT MY BRAKES TO MAINTAIN A DISTANCE, BUT IT WAS A SECTION OF RIPPLED PAVEMENT AND THE ABS SYSTEM SHUT OFF THE BRAKES SO COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY PICKING UP SPEED DUE TO THE DOWNHILL. I AM SURE THAN IN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE HAD, I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY TROUBLE SLOWING DOWN. I AVOIDED REAR-ENDING THE TRUCK BY SLOWING THE CAR WITH AGGRESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING. I ALSO STEERED TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT AND THE PAVEMENT WAS CLEANER, SO I COULD SLOW DOWN. ANOTHER TIME I REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF A POTHOLE, ALTHOUGH DAMAGE WAS MINOR. I'VE ALSO HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF SCARY NEAR - MISSES WITH REAR-ENDING OTHER VEHICLES, AND ON A FEW OCCASIONS SLID OUT INTO INTERSECTIONS WITH FROST HEAVES LEADING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, BECAUSE MY BRAKING SPACE ESTIMATE WAS FAR LESS THAN I ACTUALLY NEEDED. I RECENTLY REPLACED ALL BRAKE PADS AND DISCS. THE REAR PADS FIT IN THE CALIPERS SO TIGHTLY I HAD TO POUND THEM OUT WITH A HAMMER AND PUNCH. BOTH PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN VERY UNEVENLY. REPLACEMENT REAR PADS FIT IN THE SAME WAY. THEN I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE FIT, SO I GROUND DOWN THE TABS TO GET A GOOD SNUG FIT RATHER THAN AN INTERFERENCE FIT AND JAMMING, SO THEY SLIPPED INTO PLACE NORMALLY. AFTER MAKING THIS CHANGE TO MY BRAKES, THEY WORK VERY WELL. I NEARLY SOLD THE CAR DUE TO THIS ISSUE, BUT INSTEAD DROVE IT FOR A WHILE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS HOW ABS SYSTEMS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS CLEARLY A BIG PROBLEM.

Jul 26, 2005

Crash: 1

WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, WELL WITHIN ACCEPTABLE SPEEDS, APPROACHING A RIGHT HAND TURN WITH NO TRAFFIC I SLIGHTLY MOVED LEFT ON THE ROAD (OVER THE BUMP STRIP, BUT NOT INTO THE OTHER LANE) TO GET A SMOOTHER ANGLE INTO THE TURN.UPON BRAKING, THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE SQUEALED/SLID, NO ABS PULSE AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FAR CLOSER TO THE FLOOR THAN NORMAL.I LET OFF AND DOWNSIFTED TO NO AVAIL.I HIT THE CURB (ONLY, THANKFULLY) BUT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE.I NOW HAVE NO FAITH IN MY ONCE CHERISHED CAR AND ONCE IT IS REPAIRED AM CONTEMPLATING REPLACING IT.WHY HAVENT THEY FIXED THIS???????!?!?!?

May 16, 2005

Crash: 1

ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN IT ENCOUNTERS BUMPS, PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING FORCE IS SEVERELY REDUCED. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS WITH ABS AND NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE SORT OF LEARNED TO "DRIVE AROUND" THE PROBLEM, BUT ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS WHERE EMERGENCY BRAKING WAS CALLED FOR IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT - ONCE FORCING ME TO DRIVE UP ONTO AND OVER A CURB AND INTO A DITCH. DESTROYING ONE OF MY WHEELS IN THE PROCESS. SOMEONE RAN A RED LIGHT AND I COULDNT STOP FROM 30 MPH IN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF ROOM WITH A NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM. PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE CAR WAS NEW, WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT IT WITH MY DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT "ALL WRXS DO THAT, ITS NORMAL" BUT AFTER TALKING WITH SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALTHOUGH WE ALL MIGHT EXPERIENCE IT, ITS NOT NORMAL AT ALL AND QUITE SCARY. AS AN EXPERIMENT I FOUND A PARKING LOT WITH SOME BUMPS ON IT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ABS TO GO NUTTY, I THEN PULLED THE ABS FUSE AND WENT OVER THE SAME PART OF THE PARKING LOT AT THE SAME SPEED AND I COULD GET TONS MORE BRAKING FORCE WITHOUT LOCKING UP THE WHEELS THAN I COULD WITH THE ABS ON, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY SCREWY HERE. *AK

Aug 04, 2004

Crash: 1

GAS PERIODIC GAS SMELL IN CAR. COLD CLUCH JITTER.OOR BRAKING PREESSURE, OVER ACTIVE ABS. *AK

May 17, 2004

+ 9 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 complaints

RAW FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER; SUBARU TSB 09-36-03, ISSUE DATE 04/01/03 SEVERE RAW FUEL SMELL AND FUMES IN CABIN. ENGINE IS LEAKING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF FUEL. *NM

Nov 18, 2005

ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER CABIN CAUSED BY LEAKING FUEL LINE. FUMES CAUSING DRIVER DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES. SUBARU REPAIRED THE LEAK BY TIGHTENING A FUEL LINE CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND SUBARU CAN NOT LOCATE SOURCE OF FUEL ODOR.*AK

Feb 23, 2005

ONLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES THERE IS A SMELL OF FUMES. GAS VAPORS ARE COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE. NO RECALLS FOUND.*AK

Jan 07, 2005

THERE IS A PUDDLE OF GAS THAT FORMS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. CONSUMER CAN SMELL GAS FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

Apr 21, 2004

VEHICLE: SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2002. FUEL SMELL NOTICEABLE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER CABIN IN COLD WEATHER. SMELL MOST NOTICEABLE IN PASSENGER CABIN WHEN VENTS ARE OPEN TO OUTSIDE AIR AND HEATER/FAN IS ON. SMELL BECAME NOTICEABLE IN DECEMBER AND HAS PERSISTED. IT IS CURRENTLY FEBRUARY 16TH AS I FILE THIS REPORT.*AK

Feb 16, 2004

+ 8 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY

8 complaints

2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON. NO WARNING, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW (ELECTRIC) SNAPS OUT OF SHEET METAL BENDING THE LIVING CRAP OUT OF IT, SNAPPING NUMEROUS CLIPS AND BENDING THE WINDOW TRACK. FOUND BOLTS ON THE INSIDE OF DOOR WERE SHEARED OFF. CAR HAS ONLY 33,000 MILES. UNACCEPTABLE! *LA

Jul 20, 2004

I'VE HAD SEVERAL WINDSHIELDS CRACKED ALREADY, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WITH THE OTHER 10 CARS I'VE OWNED, NEVER A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, NOW TWO WITH THIS ONE IN TWO YEARS. OTHER IMPREZA OWNERS HAVE ADVISED ME OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

Jun 22, 2004

NO APPARENT OR KNOWN EVENTS OR CAUSES LEADING TO FAILURE. NO ROCK CHIPS OR DINGS AT ORIGIN SITE AT UPPER EDGE OF WINDSHIELD WHERE FAILURE BEGAN.*AK MY WINDSHIELD WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN LAST DRIVEN WITH NO VISIBLE BREAKS. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEGUN TO CRACK FROM TOP EDGE IN FROMT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND HAD EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHESS. AFTER PARKING THE CAR, I MARKED THE SPOT AT THE END OF THE CRACK. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK HAD EXTENDED ANOTHER 3 INCHES WITH NO DRIVING OR MOVEMENT INVOLVED. THE CRACK IS NOW APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET IN TOTAL LENGTH. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED DUE TO NO LOCAL DEALERS OR GLASS REPAIR SHOPS. HOWEVER, I AM CURRENTLY PLANNING A TRIP TO LUBBOCK (100 MILES ONE WAY) TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS WELL AS ANSWER A VEHICLE RECALL I RECENTLY RECEIVED. IF THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE KEPT AVAILABLE, I WILL NEED TO KNOW SOON SO I CAN NOTIFY MY DEALER.

Apr 22, 2004

UNEXPLAINED CRACKED WINDSHIELD

Feb 19, 2004

WINDSHIELD HAS NUMEROUS PITS AND ONE LARGE CRACK THAT HAS GROWN 2 INCHES IN THE PAST DAY. WINDSHIELD IS TOO BRITTLE, EVERYTHING THAT HITS THIS WINDSHIELD DAMAGES IT. CAR ONLY HAS 4,000 MILES. *NLM

Mar 30, 2003

+ 3 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION

5 complaints

REFERENCE: RECALL NO. 11V-464, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 11V464000 THE CORROSION DISCOVERED IN MY SUBARU 2002 WRX IS FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THAT COVERED BY THE RECALL RESULTING IN CITYSIDE SUBARU DEALERSHIP (1-761-641-1900) IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE DANGEROUS RUSTING, ROTTING AND NECESSARY REPAIRS IS QUOTED HERE (I CAN PROVIDE A FACSIMILE OF THEIR ASSESSMENT UPON YOUR REQUEST). THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUSTING AND ROTTING AS WELL AS PARTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BROKEN. THE FOLLOWING IS QUOTED FROM THE CITYSIDE SUBARU DEALERSHIP INVOICE NUMBER[XXX]' TECHNICIAN STATES: VEHICLE HAS FAILED RECALL INSPECTION OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DUE TO RUSTING. SUBFRAME IS ALSO ROTTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDS: ADDITIONALLY UPON REPLACEMENT OF CONTROL ARMS AND SUBFRAME BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SWAYBAR LINKS ARE BROKEN $295 FRONT KNUCKLES, WHEEL BEARINGS AND INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS ARE ROTTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED $2340 BOTH FRONT STRUTS ROTTED AND MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE DETACHED AND PUT BACK TOGETHER PROPERLY $509 EACH AS REQUIRED REPLACE ROTTED LEAKING OIL PAN $416 VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE' I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION AND ALREADY FAILED PARTS IN AN OTHERWISE VERY CLEAN, LOW MILEAGE CAR HAVE NOT LED TO AN ACCIDENT AND SUGGEST THAT THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE BROADER IN SCOPE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Jan 28, 2013

DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-55 FOR MORNING COMMUTE IN THE LEFTMOST LANE WHEN WITH NO DISCERNIBLE CAUSE THE CAR BEGAN TO DRIFT BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE CENTER LANE AND LEFT LANE. THE CAR MINIMALLY RESPONDED TO ANY STEERING INPUTS. I HAD TO CRANK THE WHEEL ALMOST A TURN AND A HALF TO GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO I DID NOT STRIKE ANY VEHICLES. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THE SERVICE PERSON QUICKLY GLANCED AROUND UNDERNEATH IT AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAME BACK LATER THAT DAY AND THEY SHOWED ME THE CAR ON THE LIFT WHERE BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE THOROUGHLY RUSTED AS WELL AS THE SUBFRAME. I PAID TO GET THE ONE REPAIRED BUT STILL DON'T DRIVE THE CAR AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE UNTIL THE OTHER IS TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL. *TR

Nov 09, 2011

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON OUR 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON SNAPPED RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR YOU COULD SEE THE ARM WAS RUSTED THROUGH. ONCE THE CAR WAS LOADED ON THE ROLLBACK THERE WAS A VISIBLE PILE OF RUST ON THE PAVEMENT. *TT

Jul 12, 2011

LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR MY 2002 SUBRAU WRX RUSTED COMPLETELY AND BROKE, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SWAY BAR TO BE RIPPED OFF. THANKFULLY IT ONLY HAPPENED PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. *KB

Jul 05, 2011

I OWNED THE CAR FOR 5K MILES AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARUS. THE DRIVETRAIN IS NOISY, SO IT IS HARD TO DETECT DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND CAN REALLY DAMAGE THE CAR IF NOT FOUND. *JB

Dec 08, 2004

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

A FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS LEAKING GAS ON COLD STARTS. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. AS OF NOW, IT IS ONLY LEAKING GAS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, BUT THE LEAKING IS STARTING TO GET WORSE AND FASTER THAN BEFORE. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THIS ISSUE IT WAS LEAKING GAS REGARDLESS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT STARTS TO LEAK AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WITH A POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE A FIRE PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK. I LIVE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THIS RECALL HAS ONLY BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR "COLD WEATHER" STATES. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS FUEL LINE PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER SINCE I LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE. THIS PROBIEM IS UNFIXABLE AND TIME CONSUMING. I HAD ALREADY TRIED TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE AT MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT ENDED UP BEING A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM. SUBARU NEEDS TO ISSUE A NATIONAL RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.

Oct 06, 2018

I HAVE THE TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT IS NOT VALID IN THE STATE OF OHIO. AS SUBARU THINKS OHIO IS NOT A COLD WEATHER STATE AND HAS DENIED THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. IT SMELLS THE WHOLE HOUSE. IT IS SICKENING. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP FOR IT SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. I CANNOT PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR, AND SUBARU WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE I LIVE IN OHIO (A VERY VERY COLD STATE).

Mar 14, 2017

THERE IS A CONSTANT RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN DRIVING, TO THE POINT OF MAKING ME FEEL SICK, CANT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN, IVE REASURCHED THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE & COMPONINTS THAT ARE ON THE RECALL LIST, BUT I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP FROM ANYONE AT SUBARU, EVEN WITH EXPLAINING ITS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS ITHER THE FORESTER OR OUTBACK... OF A RAW FUEL SMELL FROM A FULTY GAS LINE UNDER THE MANIFOLD,,, NOT COOL THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE MY SAFETY TO AVOID DOING THE FIX, OR ADDMITING THE DEFECT AFFECTS THE 2002 WRX

May 12, 2016

WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AND BELOW FREEZING THERE IS A GAS LEAK AND I CAN SMELL GAS IN THE INSIDE OF MY CAR AS WELL AS OUTSIDE. IT IS HARD TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE WHEN IT IS BELOW FREEZING. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL (HTTP://TINYURL.COM/WRXGAS) FOR THIS SITUATION IN 2009, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL WHEN I RECENTLY DECIDED TO TRY TO RESEARCH THE SITUATION AGAIN, ALTHOUGH I WAS TURNED DOWN FOR ANY HELP FROM SUBARU EARLY IN MY OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THIS RECALL EXPIRED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2001 IN MN.

Feb 27, 2016

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

May 17, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN A CORNER TOO FAST AND VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A BRICK WALL. CONSUMER WAS THROWN AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE HIS NOSE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT WORN , AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS CITED BY THE POLICE FOR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. *AK

Nov 04, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

THE VEHICLE SLID ON SOME SNOW AND ICE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A POLE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *PH *JB

Jun 27, 2003

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

I OWN A 02 WRX I LIVE IN ARMIDALE AUSTRALIA. I JUST SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FIXING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN THE CAR HEATS UP IT CAN BURN OUT THE EXHAUST SENSOR AND CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TURBO.I NOTICE ONCE THERE WAS NO SENSOR LEFT IT GAVE MY CAR COMPUTER NOTHING TO GO OFF . IN RESULT COSTING ME 3000 DOLLARS TO FIX .WRX DRIVERS TAKE CARE AND PLEASE GET YOUR SENSORS CHECKED TO SEE IF THEY ARE IN ANYWAY FAULTY. *TR

Mar 17, 2010

NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VENTILATION SYSTEM. OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS -8F. OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED A VISIBLE VAPOR CLOUD OF GASOLINE. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AS I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER". (THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS MUST BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.) CAR WAS REPAIRED (AFTER A WAIT OF ONE WEEK) AT A COST OF $534.55 (CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY). REPAIRS INCLUDED "R&R INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED FUEL DELIVERY PIPE", USING PARTS "PIPE CP FUEL RETURN", "HOSE", "GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD". WEBSITE INVESTIGATING LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS INDEED A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.*AK

Feb 13, 2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

MY 2002 MODEL IMPREZA WRX-2.0L EXPERIENCES A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. TOOK IT TO DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SUBARU-CHICO CA. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING SO I LEFT MAD, BUT I LEFT. SINCE THEN, SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND I STILL CAN'T GET IT FIXED. IT'S FROM A RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BETWEEN TWO DIRECT METAL FUEL-FEED LINES TO THE INJECTORS. (STRAIGHT OFF OF THE TSB) THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY SUBARU OR THERE SHOULD BE A GENERAL RECALL FROM FIRE AND FUMES RAW GAS LEAKAGE. *NM

Feb 27, 2007

Fire: 1

GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS AND UNDER THE HOOD. VERY RAW AND STRONG. FUEL LEAK! SUBARU OF AMERICA FIXED THIS UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR, BUT NOW ITS BACK AND ARE GOING TO CHARGE FOR THIS FIX.*AK

Dec 21, 2004

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

IN REGARDS TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH 34000 MILES AND LIVE IN HOUSTON, TX. I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM WHEN VISITING MY FAMILY IN FT. WORTH SEVERAL YEARS AGO. IT WAS NOT VERY COLD, BUT THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATER TO LET CAR WARM UP. WHEN I RETURNED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, I DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BEFORE GETTING IN. THE FUMES INSIDE WERE UNBEARABLE AND I HAD TO AIR OUT THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING, BUT THE ORDER PERSISTED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I LEFT FOR HOUSTON THAT EVENING AND THOUGHT THE FUMES WERE JUST A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. LAST NIGHT I VISITED A FRIEND FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. IT RARELY GETS VERY COLD IN HOUSTON, BUT AT 9 P.M. LAST NIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE ABOVE FREEZING. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL APPEARED NORMAL, BUT WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATER, THE SMELL OF GAS WAS OVERWHELMING. I AIRED OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE GOT THE SAME RESULT EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE THE HEATER. THE CAR REEKED OF RAW GASOLINE WHEN I PARKED IT AFTER THE 1.5 MILE DRIVE HOME. I GOT ON-LINE AFTER I GOT HOME AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND THAT TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED. I ALSO SAW YOUR ACTION AND BELIEVE SUBARU OF AMERICA MAY HAVE GIVEN YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF "VERY COLD CONDITIONS." FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=675874&HIGHLIGHT=FUEL+LEAK HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUM.COM/CGI-BIN/ULTIMATEBB.CGI?UBB=PRINT_TOPIC;F=3;T=008039 HTTP://WWW.DAYTONSUBIES.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=3&T=185 HTTP://64.119.173.9/FORUMS/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=81610 HTTP://CLUBWRX.NET/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=48256 ANYWAY, I BELIEVE RAW GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE IN THE QUANTITIES THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT STRONG OF ODOR HAS TO CREATE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD; AND THAT IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN SOA HAS ADMITTED. *JB

Dec 09, 2005

I DRIVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. A WEEK AND A HALF AGO WE HAD TEMPS BELOW ZERO. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED VERY STRONG GAS SMELLS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE USING THE DEFROST. AFTER SOME ONLINE INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES FOR ANYONE LIVING IN A COLDER CLIMATE. I BELIVE THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE FITTINGS THAT ATTATCH THE METAL FUEL LINES TO THE FLEXIBLE HOSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN COLD WEATHER THESE FAIL, SPILLING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. NOW THE PROBLEM IS MORE COMMON, EVEN ON COOL, BUT NOT COLD DAYS. I UNDERSTAND THAT SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS EVEN ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO DEALERSHIPS ADVISING THEM OF THE FIX FOR THIS (WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE). HOWEVER, IT SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS RESPONSIBLITY TO PAY FOR A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FIX THAT IS COMMON ON THESE CARS. STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT AND GASOLINE SPILLING ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK SHOULD CONSTITUTE ENOUGH OF A SAFETY HAZARD TO JUSTIFY A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Dec 30, 2004

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THE BODY IS DETERIORATING SO FAST. I LAUGH AT THE SUBARU COMMERCIAL WHERE THE PARENTS GIVE THEIR KIDS THE OLD CAR. I WOULD NOT TRUST THE OLD SUBARU TO KEEP MY CHILDREN SAFE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME, AND AM LETTING THE BODY RUST. THE SICKENING SMELL OF FUMES LIKE GAS IN THE WINTER ARE HORRIBLE. WHEN I KEEP THE SUBARU IN THE GARAGE, IT MAKES MY WHOLE HOUSE TOXIC WITH FUMES. SUBARU WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL ON IT, BECAUSE I AM IN OHIO, AND OHIO IS NOT A "COLD-WEATHER" STATE, BUT DO THEY REALIZE WE HAVE TONS OF SNOW AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER. I CAN'T STAND BY SUBARU NO LONGER, BUT CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR. WHEN I DO, IT WILL NOT BE A SUBARU.

Dec 19, 2016

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

FUEL RAIL ON 2002 WRX IS LEAKING HEAVILY ON THE ENGINE. THIS IS A HIGH FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS NOXIOUS FOR PASSENGERS IN THE CAR AS IT SMELLS HEAVILY OF FUEL. SINCE I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT HONORED THE RECALL THEY'VE PUT IN OTHER STATES FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. SUBARU HAS DENIED WARRANTY REPAIR DUE TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRING FOR THIS ISSUE IN 2013. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR EVERY OTHER RECALL ISSUE THAT I'VE BEEN NOTIFIED OF. THIS IS RECKLESS AND DANGEROUS. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP HAS SAID THEY DON'T THINK IT IS CORRECT TO CHARGE ME FOR LABOR AND PARTS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY SUBARU AND HAVE DIRECTED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP ASKED ME TO GET AUTHORIZATION FROM SUBARU, WHICH WAS DENIED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT IS A BONE STOCK CAR WITH NO AFTERMARKETS PARTS OR ENHANCEMENTS.

Dec 13, 2016

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

1 complaint

CONTROL ARMS WERE RECALLED IN 2011 FOR RUST ISSUES AND FAILURE ON THE HANGER BRACKETS. GOT THE PARTS CHECKED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL BY A CERTIFIED SUBARU DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP SPRAYED A "RUST PROOFING" AGENT ON THE CONTROL ARMS. THREE YEARS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN AT THE HANGER BRACKET. SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AS THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ALREADY (EVEN THROUGH IT DID NOT PREVENT THE ISSUES FROM HAPPENING). *JS

Dec 03, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

I'M FILING MY COMPLAINT WITH ALL THE OTHERS ABOUT THE STRONG FUEL SMELL DURING THE COLD MONTHS. I CANNOT BELIEVE OHIO IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS OKAY. FRANKLY, THIS PAST COLD WINTER HAS BEEN AWFUL. THE SMELL MAKES IT'S WAY INTO THE HOUSE. IT IS AWFUL. I CANNOT BELIEVE SUBARU DOES NOT BELIEVE OHIO IS COLD AND WILL NOT STAND BY ITS AUTOS. ALSO, WHEN I BROUGHT THE AUTO IN FOR A RECALL ON THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS, THEY ONLY RUSTPROOFED THEM AND NEVER TOLD ME THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THIS WAS AT 125,000 MILES. THIS AUTO HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR. IF THIS CAR IS MEANT TO BE IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, WHY CAN'T IT STAND UP PAST 125,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS! I HAVE THREE OTHER VEHICLES FROM OTHER BRANDS WITH MANY MORE MILES, ONE CAR OF WHICH IS STORED OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER, AND ALL THE OTHER AUTOS HAVE GREAT LASTING FRAMES. CONSIDERING I HAD ONLY 125,000 MILES, I SAVED THE MONEY AND MADE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. COM'ON SUBARU MAKE A CAR THAT LASTS!!!!! *TR

Aug 21, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE

1 complaint

WORKING NIGHT SHIFTS, STARTED MY CAR TO LET WARM UP, TEMPERATURE WAS 43 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME. AFTER START UP I COULD SMELL RAW FUEL OUT SIDE THE CAR AS WELL AS INSIDE THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS. ALSO GAS MILEAGE HAS GONE DOWN BY DRASTICALLY, NORMALLY GET 300-330 MILES A TANK AND CURRENTLY GETTING BARLEY 200. NOTICED CAR STARTING TO SMOKE A LITTLE AS WELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NO FIRE BUT NOT GOING TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

Apr 10, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

SMELL OF FUEL FROM WITHIN THE CAR DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE PER TSB 01-170-09. DEALERSHIP MAY DENY REPAIRS IF THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. EMAIL FROM SUBARU REGARDING THIS PROBLEM: WE WELCOME YOUR CONTACT, AS IT RELATES TO THE WVK-21 FUEL LINE WARRANTY EXTENSION. YOUR 2002 SUBARU WRX IS AFFECTED BY THE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THESE COMPONENTS. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NEED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT CONCERN. THEY CAN THEN ADVISE YOU REGARDING THE ISSUE AND WHETHER IT IS THE SAME AS THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP, AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. *TR

Feb 13, 2014

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I WORK AS A VALET ATTENDANT. I HAVE PARKED A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES. I HAD TO PARK THIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPOT. TO PARK IN THIS SPOT I HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT TO LINE UP FOR THE SPOT. THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. I HAD ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID SLAMMING INTO A WALL,I TURNED HARD RIGHT AND CRASHED THE CAR AGAINST THE CORNER OF A CONCRETE COLUMN. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DURING THE ACCIDENT, THEN I HEARD A PURGE AND MULTIPLE CLICKING NOISES. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR AT ALL. THE BREAKS FELT ROCK HARD BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AGAIN"THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THIS CAR FROM CRASHING" I SUFFERED A SEVERELY FRACTURED HIP SOCKET INJURY. THIS ACCIDENT LEAVES ME WITH THE LIKELY HOOD OF NEEDING HIP REPLACEMENT DUE TO HIP ARTHRITIS. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE AIRBAG I WOULD HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE HEAD AND CHEST INJURY. I ALSO NO LONGER WORK AS A PARKING ATTENDANT, AND HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A JOB. I AM NOT A TEENAGER JOYRIDING . I AM AN ADULT, PARKING CARS FOR A LIVING. I HAVE DRIVEN HIGH END VEHICLES WITH WAY MORE POWER, BUT HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY THING LIKE THIS. NOW I HAVE DIFFICULTY DRIVING, AND I AFRAID TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I AM A MALE DRIVER WITH 20+ YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE, BUT I AM LOOKED AT AS A RECKLESS DRIVER FOR WRECKING THIS CAR. *TR

Dec 03, 2013

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

SUBFRAME NEAR PASSENGER/RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM IS RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS HOLES. SUBARU OF CHERRY HILL, NJ STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AND WAS AT SIGNIFICANT RISK OF BREAKING WHEN REMOVED FOR CONTROL ARM RECALL (WVX34).DEALERSHIP SAID THE CASE WITH PICTURES WAS REPORTED TO SUBARU HEADQUARTERS AND DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN IT. I DISCOVERED MANY OTHER CASES REPORTED DATING BACK AS FAR AS MAY 2009. DOCUMENTED WITH PICTURES OF MY OWN. *TR

Dec 10, 2011

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

DRIVER'S SEATBELT OFTEN FAILS TO RETRACT AT TOP, LEAVING SLACK, WHICH SOMETIMES WRAPS ITSELF AROUND THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER. WHEN PULLING TO ADJUST BELT, LEVER CAN ABRUPTLY LET GO, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO DRIVER SUDDENLY LOSING SUPPORT OF SEAT. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES NOW, ALWAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT, AS I TEND TO GET MY SEATBELT SORTED OUT BEFORE I START DRIVING. *TR

Mar 02, 2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

IN COOL OR COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF RAW FUEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANYONE INSIDE OR NEAR THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO HARMFUL GASOLINE FUMES, THESE VAPORS ARE TOXIC WHEN CONCENTRATED AND MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS AND HALLUCINATIONS IN SMALLER AMOUNTS. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN OF POTENTIAL FIRE DANGER. FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN PRESENT YEAR-ROUND ON MY CAR, AND ALSO ON MANY OTHER 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU IMPREZAS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO ADDRESS, BUT THEIR POSITION SEEMS TO BE THAT IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S FAULT AND RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REPAIR, TO CORRECT A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SUBARU WRX, WILL COST THE LOYAL CUSTOMER SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THANKS SUBARU, THANKS A LOT. *TR

Dec 03, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

FUEL LEAKS WHEN STARTING MY CAR (02 SUBARU WRX) IN COLD WEATHER. STRONG FUMES WOULD ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH HEAT VENT CAUSING NAUSEA. *JB

Dec 22, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES

1 complaint

TRAVELING ON A DAMP, BUMPY ASPHALT ROAD IN SEATTLE (TEMPURATURE WAS IN THE MID-40'S). LIGHT AHEAD TURNS RED - I APPLY THE BRAKES AS USUAL, BUT THE PEDDLE SUDDENLY SINKS ABOUT AN INCH AND I FEEL ABS COME ON. IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES HAVE NO STOPPING POWER AND ARE ONLY WORKING AT ABOUT 10%. I LET UP ON THE BRAKES AND TRIED AGAIN, AND WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, ON SOME METAL DRAWBRIDGE GRATING. IT SEEMS AS IF THE ABS COMES ON IN TIMES WHEN IT SHOULD NOT, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO PRACTICALLY NOT WORK. IF A CAR HAD BEEN CLOSER IN FRONT OF ME, I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. *AK

Dec 14, 2004

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT RELEASE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TWICE. VEHICLE CONTINUED GOING AT 67 MPH. FORTUNATELY I DOWNSHIFTED AND STOPPED VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING THE 6 OTHER VEHICLES AT THE STOP LIGHT. *JB

Oct 31, 2004

TIRES

1 complaint

I INSTALLED BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES ON MY WIFE'S SUBARU. AFTER LESS THAN 500 MILES THE SIDEWALL DELAMINATED, ALMOST COMPLETELY. PRESSURE WAS 32 LB AND THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. WHEN I CALLED TIRERACK, THE VENDOR, THEY AT FIRST CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRRANTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THEN CLAIMED THAT THE TIRE MUST HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RETURNED ALL FOUR TIRES AND CONSIDER THAT THIS TIRE PRESENTS A HAZARD TO SAFETY.*AK

Mar 15, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

OVERWHELMING FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE TO THE POINT OF MY EYE'S TEARING DUE TO THE STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND PULL THE CAR OVER TO GET OUT AND BREATHE FRESH AIR. STRONG EVEN WITH THE HOOD CLOSED YOU CAN SMELL THE FUEL STANDING BY THE CAR. CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE OR HAVE CHILDREN IN CAR. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES PREMATURELY WHEN NOT NEEDED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL OVER A LONGER DISTANCE THAN NEEDED.

Jan 23, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN HAS DISPLAYED UNRELIABLE ABS BEHAVIOR. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY FIRST ACCIDENT IN 10 YEARS OF DRIVING. THE CAR APPEARS TO LOOSE VIRTUALLY ALL BREAKING POWER WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. WHILE THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD ENGAGE IN SUCH AN EVEN, IT SHOULD DISENGAGE AS SOON AS IT CLEARS THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE NOTICED THE WRX CONTINUES TO LOOSE BREAKING POWER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 35-MPH ROAD, I ENCOUNTERED A MINOR COLLISION CAUSED BY A CAR BEING OBSTRUCTED OR CUT OFF. NORMALLY AT THIS SPEED I WOULD ASSUME 5-6 CAR LENGTHS TO BE SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WHILE BREAKING I ENCOUNTERED A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN THE CAR PASSED OVER THE DIP, THE ABS ENGAGED, AFTER THAT POINT THE CAR CONTINUED TO LOOSE BREAKING POWER UNTIL I COLLIDED WITH THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. DURING THE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM A NUMBER OF TIMES NON OF WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I INITIALLY ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR, BUT AFTER REPLACING THE WHOLE BREAKING SYSTEM ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. IT APPEARS TO BE SYSTEMIC TO THE ABS DESIGN/PROGRAMMING.*AK

Jan 02, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 4

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

WHILE RETURNING TO LAS VEGAS FROM A CAMPING TRIP ON VENTURA FREEWAY NEAR THE TARZANA EXIT OUR 2003 WRX EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON CLEAR, DRY, RAIN GROOVED HIGHWAY. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE WRX AT THE TIME AND SHE REPORTED THAT THE ABS KICKED IN AND THEN "LET GO" CAUSING HER CAR TO ROLL INTO MINE (PULLING OUR CAMP TRAILER), SHE STRUCK THE TRAILER DOING ABOUT 5 TO 7 MPH. DAMAGE TO HER WRX WAS IN EXCESS OF $5K, DAMAGE TO TRAILER AND MY CAR WAS COSMETIC ONLY. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE WRX ON THE WAY TO CAMPING SITE, SAME SYMPTOMS BUT NO TRAFFIC TO AVOID...I ASSUMED THAT ROAD CONDITION WAS PROBABLE FAULT. MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE ABS SEEMED TOO SENSITIVE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH IT WENT AWAY. PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY WORK WAS PERFORMED TO REPLACE CLUTCH SYSTEM COMPONENTS LAST MONTH. VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED AND THEN WILL BE SENT TO DEALER SERVICE (IN VAN NUYS) TO INSPECT BRAKES AND ABS PRIOR TO OUR TAKING POSSESSION AFTER REPAIR. INSURANCE AND DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT WE BELIEVE THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY ABS FAILURE. *NLM

Jun 25, 2003

Crash: 1

2002 SUBARU WRX Problems & Complaints

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