2002 Subaru Impreza Complaint Log

EXTREME CORROSION OF FRONT SUB-FRAME. FAST ONSET. NO SIGN OF ISSUE AND THEN APPROX. LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER TOTAL PENETRATING CORROSION WAS VISIBLE IN AN AREA OF IT. WAS NOTICED DURING COMPLETION OF AN EXISTING SAFETY RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE ISSUE UPON REQUEST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREEZA WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). IN ADDITION TO THE REPAIRS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MODEL YEAR BUT HAS EXCLUDED MY VIN NUMBER. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE RIGHT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE CORRODED AND DETACHED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE CABLE HAD SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHEN THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE MOUNTING FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, THE CROSS MEMBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AFTER WORK, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. THE CAR HAD DRIVEN FINE ALL THE WAY HOME, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. A FEW HOURS LATER WHEN I WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO LEAVE, IS WHEN I FOUND THE PROBLEM. AS I BEGAN TO BACK UP THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A SHUDDERING SOUND, AND BACKED UP CROOKED. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING IN THE DRIVETRAIN WAS BINDING SEVERELY. I GOT OUT TO CHECK UNDERNEATH WITH A FLASHLIGHT, AND I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES. THIS OCCURRED WHERE THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE CONTROL ARM. COMPARING SIDE TO SIDE, THE FRONT WHEELS ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO PARALLEL NOW. LUCKILY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, AS ONLY A FEW MILES PRIOR I WAS CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH! I'M ASSUMING THE SMALL BUMP AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY IS WHAT FINALLY CAUSED THE FAILURE, BUT IT JUST AS EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A BUMP OR POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY.

SEE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT W/SAME VEHICLE----FAILURE OF RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON 1-14-2011 AT ODO 49093. THIS CURRENT COMPLAINT IS FAILURE OF LEFT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON 8-28-11. 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5TS WAGON WITH 51764 MILES. ALWAYS BEST OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. DRIVING SLOWLY ON CITY STREET. CLUNKING SOUND FROM LEFT FRONT, DIFFICULTY STEERING. RECOGNIZED PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS FAILURE OF RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. RETURNED TO MY DRIVEWAY (LESS THAN A MILE) AND CALLED WRECKER. REPAIR COST: $458.95. CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER/DEALER SERVICES----NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OR PREVIOUS FAILURE. "OUT OF WARRANTY, YOU LIVE IN A SNOW/SALT AREA, ETC". *TR

WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 3-5 MPH IN AUGUST 2011, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE SWAY BAR LINKS THAT CONNECT TO THE CONTROL ARM. THE MECHANIC THAT SPECIALIZES IN SUBARUS IN MY AREA FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED OUT DUE TO CORROSION (THE CONTROL ARMS BOLT TO THE SUB FRAME). HE REPLACED THE SUB FRAME, BOTH LEFT & RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND BOTH LEFT & RIGHT SWAY BAR LINKS IN ORDER TO GET BACK TO A ROAD SAFE VEHICLE. IN NOVEMBER 2011 I WAS NOTIFIED BY SUBARU THAT THERE WAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN WVX-34 , NHTSA RECALL NO.11V-464 FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. I SUBMITTED ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION UNDER PARAGRAGH TITLED "IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR" AND NEVER HEARD FROM SUBARU (THEY SAID "IT MAY TAKE UP TO 60 DAYS"). AFTER 90+ DAYS I EMAILED THEM ONLY TO FIND OUT ON FEB 21, 2012, "I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW YOUR CLAIM AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THAT YOUR REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED IS NOT AN AFFECTED COMPONENT OF THIS RECALL ." I RESPONDED, " PLEASE REVIEW THE REPAIR ORDER AGAIN. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED ( THE RIGHT ACTUALLY BROKE AND THE LEFT WAS RUSTED THROUGH) THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS ABOUT. IT WAS FURTHER FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ALSO ROTTED THROUGH. THE CONTROL ARMS BOLT TO THE SUB FRAME, SO JUST REPLACING THE CONTROL ARMS WOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE VEHICLE ROAD WORTHY." I RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $723 WITH NO EXPLANATION WHAT WAS BEING COVERED (IT COST ME $1449.36 FOR REPAIRS). I CALLED SUBARU AND WAS TOLD THAT COVERED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND $100 TOWING. I AGAIN ASKED FOR THE CLAIM TO BE REVIEWED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOW PAY FOR THE LINKS BUT NOT THE SUB FRAME. YOU CAN'T SAFELY BOLT NEW CONTROL ARMS TO A ROTTEN SUBFRAME. SUBARU NEEDS TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THIS ALSO AND PAY!!! *TR

TRAVELING AT 40 M MPH, I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, CROSSED THE ROAD AND STOPPED IN THE DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM WHERE I WAS TRAVELING. AFTER A TOW TO THE SERVICE STATION, I DISCOVERED A SNAPPED LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE LEFT IS VERY CORRODED AS WELL. THE SKID DAMAGED THE AXLE, SWAY BAR AND TIE ROD AS WELL ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS ABOUT MIDNIGHT. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER ONCE I CHECKED THE STEERING AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WERE NOT TRACKING TOGETHER, I LEFT THE CAR WHERE IT WAS SINCE IT WAS DARK AND I COULD NOT SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. NEXT MORNING A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND HE SHOWED ME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SHEARED OFF. AT THE LOWER SECTION OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE REST OF IT WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. ONCE THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO THE REPAIR GARAGE, IT WAS PUT ON THE HOIST AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CHECKED. USING A HAMMER THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PUT A LARGE HOLE IN THE CONTROL ARM SECTION ABOVE THE BASE OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE CONTROL ARM IN PROFILE SECTION LOOKS LIKE A TRIANGLE. HE PUT A HOLE IN THE UPPER FRONT LEG OF THE TRIANGLE. I HAVE CONTACTED TRANSPORT CANADA AS WELL TO ALERT THEM OF THE ISSUE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS. I HAVE INSTALLED TWO NEW CONTROL ARMS AND THE SWAY BAR LINK KIT FOR A TOTAL COST OF $ 1,384 CDN. JUST LAST WEEK THE CAR HAD BEEN ON A ROAD TRIP AT NIGHT I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM DID NOT FAIL THEN. I AM SHOCKED THAT BOTH ARMS WERE SO BADLY CORRODED AND ONE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR WAS MADE IN APRIL 2001. I AM ALSO CONCERNED BECAUSE I OWN A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER AND I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS MAY BE A SIMILAR ISSUE FOR THE FORESTER'S LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RESPECT TO CORROSION AT THE SAME PLACE AND WHETHER THIS WILL HAPPEN TO THE FORESTER IN 3 YEARS TIME. *TR

2.5 TS WITH 49,093 MILES. WAGON WAS ALWAYS GIVEN BEST OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. DRIVING SLOWLY ON CITY STREET. CLUNKING SOUND FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA. SOME DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKING AND STEERING. ASSUMED IT WAS ICE BUILDUP ON BRAKES/SUSPENSION. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES INCREASED SPEED ON COUNTRY ROAD AND BECAME MUCH WORSE, ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF STEERING BUT GOT OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED RUST-RIDDLED FRONT SUBFRAME TO COLLAPSE. REPLACED LOWER CONTROL ARM, FRONT STABILIZER LINK AND FRONT SUBFRAME. $1218.02. *TR

ODOR OF FUEL IN THE INTERIOR OF MY 2002 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA I CONTACT SUBARU AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS VIA THEIR 800 COMPLAINT NUMBER AND REFERRED TO CAMPAIGN 09V-468 AND NHTSA ACTION #EA09011. I WAS TOLD I COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AT MY OWN COSTS AND GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED! I ADVISED THEM THAT THE CAMPAIGN STATES MY VEHICLE IS COVERED FOR ADDITIONAL 12 YEARS RE: THE PROBLEM AND IT FELL ON DEAF EARS. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM EXHIBITED A STRESS HAIRLINE CRACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

IN THE DAY OR TWO PRIOR TO THE EVENT, THE CAR FELT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT I HAD TO KEEP THE WHEEL TURNED ~15%. WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~65MPH, I HIT AN UNDULATION IN THE ROAD. THIS MUST HAVE PUT INCREASED LOAD ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR STARTED TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS SCREECHING FROM THE TIRES AND I STRUGGLED WITH THE WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT AS TRAFFIC WAS ALL AROUND ME. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR SOMEWHAT IN CONTROL AND MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I CAME TO A STOP. IT TURNED OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN. THE WELD ON IT HAD CORRODED AND IT SEPARATED. THIS IS VITAL TO KEEPING THE CARS ABILITY TO STEER. I GOT THE PART REPLACED, ALONG WITH A NEW AXLE AND SWAY BAR END-LINK THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT. THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS OVER $1000. *TR

RT CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS NORTH BOUND ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN NYC. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND EXIT HIGHWAY. INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC INDICATED THE PART HAD RUSTED AWAY. I HAD HIM REPLACED BOTH AS I INTENDED TO TRADE IT IN AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ENDANGER ANYONE WHO MIGHT GET THE CAR. CAR WAS TRADED IN FOR A NEW SUBARU IN AUGUST 2010. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE RADIATOR CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE FRONT SUBFRAME, FRONT DRIVER LOWER CONTROL ARM, BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT WERE ALL CORRODED DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE IN MULTIPLE PIECES AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT ALL OF THE PARTS BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 139,000. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER/PUDDLE SHORTED OUT THE ENGINE FANS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ROTTED SUBFRAME. UPDATED 12/08/10

2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT STEERING CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *GR IT WAS ALSO NOTED THE VEHICLE NEEDED REAR A CROSS MEMBER. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON, ALSO KNOWN AS THE "OUTBACK SPORT". THE CAR REEKS OF GASOLINE RECENTLY. SUBARU RECENTLY RECALLED SOME 2002 IMPREZAS BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE LEAKED FUEL IN COLD WEATHER. THE RECALL # IS 09V468000. IT HAS BEEN QUITE COLD HERE IN NC RECENTLY WITH TEMPS IN THE TEENS AND 20S. THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR SEEMS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL, BUT MY CAR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE GAS SMELL IS VERY STRONG AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS AND SET MY CAR AND POSSIBLY MY HOUSE ON FIRE. *TR

WHEN THE WEATHER IS MILDLY COLD, AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES OR LESS, AND THE VEHICLE SITS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 4-5 HOURS, TYPICALLY OVERNIGHT AND/OR IN A GARAGE, THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE SMELL DISSIPATES AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND WILL NOT RETURN UNLESS THE CAR SITS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 4-5 HOURS OVERNIGHT AND/OR IN A GARAGE. *KB

SUBARU RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL, (RECALL NO. WVK-21), FOR LEAKING FUEL IN '02-'03 WRX'S. AS STATED, ONLY SOME VEHICLES ARE COVERED. I CALLED THE SUBARU PHONE # TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE A DEALER FIX IT, AT MY OWN COST, ASAP, BECAUSE LEAKING FUEL IS DANGEROUS. WELL AT LEAST THE SUBARU REP ADMITTED IT, IF SO WON'T AS A COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO EXTEND THIS RECALL TO ALL 02-03 WRX'S. THE LEAK IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I SEE RAW FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE PAVEMENT BELOW MY CAR, THAT ALONE IS A HORRENDOUS SAFETY RISK, AS WELL AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THIS VEHICLE WOULD PASS ANY EMISSIONS TEST WITH THE AMOUNT OF UNBURNED HYDROCARBON ESCAPING. AS IT IS NOW, THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE IF THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ZERO, IT SIMPLY LEAKS TOO MUCH FUEL TO EVEN BE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITHOUT AN INSTANT HEADACHE. *TR

GETTING A RAW FUEL SMELL IN AND AROUND VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER ON 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK. RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND DETERMINED POSSIBLE FIX INVOLVING TIGHTENING THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE RUBBER FUEL LINE HOSES TO THE RIGID HOSE LINES (EIGHT CLAMPS TOTAL). TIGHTENED CLAMPS BUT PROBLEM RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. GASOLINE SMELL IS SOMEWHAT OVERPOWERING INSIDE CAR AND INSIDE GARAGE WHERE CAR IS PARKED. *TR

I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN 02 SUBARU AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME I COLD START THE CAR WHEN IT GETS BELOW FREEZING OUTSIDE THERE IS A HORRID GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT IS VISIBLE THAT THERE IS A POOL OF GAS ACCUMULATING ON THE MOTOR FROM UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I HAVE JUST NOTICED THIS AND CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS. LOOKING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A REGULAR ISSUE AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR INFORMATION ON HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO HAVE RAW FUEL ON A HOT ENGINE. I AM AT A LOSS AND A LITTLE CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

RAW FUEL SMELL PLUS LEAKING FUEL IN 40*F OR BELOW TEMPERATURES. *TR

I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON MY VEHICLE IS ROTTED AND THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2002 WITH LESS THEN 94,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I WOULD NEED TO SPEND AROUND $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME. IF THIS PROBLEM WASN'T NOTICED AND I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE CAR WOULD CRUMBLE IF IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OR I COULD JUST BE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND IT COULD BASICALLY FALL APART, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN US RT 2 IN BOLTON VT WHEN HAD SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL WOBBLE. CAR THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND OFF THE ROAD. CAR WENT ABOUT 20 FEET OFF THE ROAD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT A FIELD WAS TO THE RIGHT. AFTER GETTING OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS SITTING SEVERAL INCHES TOO FAR TO THE REAR, RUBBING AGAINST THE BODY. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT A LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND BROKE OFF OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME ITSELF IS ALSO CORRODED. THIS IS ONLY ON THE LEFT SIDE; THE RIGHT SIDE IS FINE. THE CAR'S BODY IS GENERALLY IN GOOD SHAPE. I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED THIS PART TO BE AT ALL WEAK OR CORRODED. I HAVE THE OLD CONTROL ARM. MY MECHANIC IS GOING TO REPLACE THE CORRODED PORTION OF THE SUBFRAME. *TRW UPDATED 01/13/11 *BP UPDATED 02/14/11 *BP UPDATED 03/11/11 UPDATED 03/14/11 UPDATED 03/30/11

DURING COOL WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM COLD STARTUP THE ENGINE HAS HEAVY FUEL/GAS SMELL WHICH IS TRANSPORTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN CAUSING UNHEALTHY BREATHING CONDITIONS FOR ANY OCCUPANTS. CALLED SUBARU COOPERATE AND THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR A LEAKING FUEL RAIL BUT NOT ON OUR MODEL. AFTER MUCH INTERNET SEARCHING IT APPEARS THE RECALL SHOULD BE FOR ALL SUBARUS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AS THE PROBLEM IS ENGINE RELATED AND NOT MODEL RELATED. THE ORIGINAL RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL SUBARUS WITH THE SAME ENGINE CONFIGURATION. THE COMPANY IS GETTING OFF EASY WITH A LIMITED RECALL OF LESS THAN 6000 VEHICLES NATION WIDE WHEN THERE ARE CLEARLY MANY MANY MORE OUT THERE. *TR

CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WRX IMPERZA. CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF DUE TO RUST. THE MANFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY FOR 50% OF THE REPAIRS BUT THE CONTACT THEY SHOULD PAY THE TOTAL COST. CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE LOWER CONTROL BROKE AND CAUSED A CRASH. JO UPDATED 06/03/11

WITH MY ALLOY WHEELS ON TWO OF MY SUBARU CARS, THE SNOW GETS LODGED IN THE BREAK PADS\ROTORS AND IT TAKES PUMPING THE BREAKS TO FORCE THE SNOW OUT BEFORE THE BREAKS WILL ENGAGE. SUBARU DENIES IT IS A PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS EVERY WINTER ON BOTH CARS, BUT I HAVE LEARNED TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS COMING TO A STOP IN ALREADY WINTRY CONDITIONS. THIS YEAR MY BREAKS DID NOT ENGAGE, WENT THROUGH A STOP INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

RECALL NOTICE 09V468000 FOR 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE AS STATED IN THE RECALL HE RECEIVED. AS A RESULT, HE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE AND HOSE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

MY SUBARU 2202 WRX HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVERYTIME IT IS COLD OUT. THEY HAVE A TSB TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS IN ALL CASES. THE TSB IS 09-36-03. I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD CARE ABOUT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT INVOLVES FUEL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING UP THE SNOW SIERRA NEVADAS AND MY WINDSHIELD WASHER DOESN'T WORK. NO VISIBILITY. I HAD IT FIX BEFORE BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK. I CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE SNOW AN CHAIN LINK FENCE. I HAVE A BUMPER DAMAGE BUT IT IS NOT BIG. *TR

I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN AND TRACED IT TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION I NOTED FUEL POOLING ON THE ENGINE HEADS. I REMOVED IT WITH A PAPER TOWEL FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND VERIFIED IT WAS STILL FLAMMABLE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GETS BELOW ZERO OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF FEELING LIGHT HEADED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND MY WIFE HAS PASSED OUT DUE TO THE ODOR WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR AND SUSTAINED A MINOR HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT. IT OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS WHEN THE TEMP. IS BELOW 20 DEGREES F OR SO. I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS WHILE DRIVING TO VENT THE FUMES WHICH CAUSES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

THE PREVIOUS WINTER AND THIS ONE, A RAW FUEL SMELL OCCURS ON START UP. UPON OBSERVATION, THERE IS A FUEL LEAK BELOW THE TURBO INLET TUBE, COMING FROM THE FUEL RAIL/HOSE. ONCE WARM, THE SMELL IS GONE. *TR

IN COLD WEATHER (FREEZING), THE FUEL RAIL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS GASOLINE. THE GAS DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD (AND KNOWN SOURCE OF A HANDFUL OF FIRES) BUT IT ALSO IS A HEALTH RISK AS THE FUMES FROM THE GAS ENTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER IS IN USE. I HAVE HAD TO KEEP WINDOWS OPEN WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER TO PREVENT GETTING SICK FROM THE GAS FUMES. THE ISSUE GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE THE LONGER IT GOES WITHOUT REPAIR. MY MODEL YEAR IS 2002, AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE 2003 WHEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUES TO ALL SUBARU DEALERS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THOUSANDS OF CARS AND THERE IS GREAT INCONSISTENCIES IN SUBARU DEALERS REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH 920000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED WITH MY CAR, OTHERS REPORTED THE ISSUE WITHIN THE FIRST 20,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, WHICH COULD BE CORRECTED BY A PATCH KIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/12/09.*JB

IT WAS RAINING. I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A LIGHT, SAW ANOTHER CAR COMING TOWARDS ME. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS A HESITATION OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN LOW TRACTION CONDITIONS OR OVER BUMPS. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE SAME YEAR SIMILAR MODEL HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS COMPUTER AND THAT THEY REPLACE THE ABS COMPUTERS FOR THAT ONE BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T FOR MY CAR. *TR

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT - ABS "FIRES" DURING ROUTINE BRAKING LEADING TO INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER AND ADVISED THAT "REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD" ... REFUSED REPAIR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATION OF BAD BEARING (NOISE, HEAT, SMELL, VIBRATION, RESISTANCE DURING FREE SPIN). TOOK CAR TO SECOND INDEPENDENT REPAIR CENTER. NO BAD BEARING FOUND. TURNED ROTORS BUT THIS DID NOT COMPLETELY SOLVE PROBLEM. ABS CONTINUES TO FIRE DURING ROUTINE BRAKING. *TR

KEYLESS ENTRY SECURITY WHEN YOU TURN IT ON THE HEADLIGHTS DOESN'T BLINK. ON THE DASHBOARD "SECURITY" WORD IS FLASHING. IT WASN'T THERE BEFORE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V135000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. AFTERWARDS, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE REAR LIFTGATE, ONE OF THE LIFTGATE STRUTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND CAUSED A KNOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

I HAD A REPLACE MY BATTERY. MY BATTERY IS NEW AND MY CAR WON'T START WITHOUT JUMP STARTING IT. IT IS A NEW BATTERY. I BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. THEY CONNECTED THE WIRES. I WAS CHARGED FOR DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION GEAR WON'T MOVE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I CALLED TOWING. HE OPEN THE LITTLE COVER AND PUSH IT WITH A KNIFE. THEN, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT. WAS THE PART DEFECTIVE? I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT BUT I CAN'T RECALL IF HE FIX IT. I HAVE TO CHECK WITH HIM. NOW IT IS WORKING. I AM WONDERING IF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED IN 4/08 WITH A LEAKING HEAD GASKET @ 81K BY THE DEALER WHEN I TOOK IT FOR A BRAKE SERVICE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN ONLY OK. IT HAS NEVER OVERHEATED, EVER, WHICH IS WHY I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RATHER THAN SPEND THE $3K THE DEALER WANTED. AN EXTERNAL LEAK WAS NOTED AND I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON IT. I'VE HEARD RUMORS OF PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY NOT COVERED OR MONITORED? *TR

I JUST PURCHASED THIS 02 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN I STARTED IT AND ALSO ON THE INSIDE, I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND IT WAS SPRAYING OUT OF ONE OF THE HOSES BY THE AIR INTAKE TUBE, HE WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN IT A LITTLE TO SLOW THE LEAK BUT THE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN YOU START IT AND DRIVING IT YOU CAN SMELL GAS VERY STRONG ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, I'M WORRIED TO DRIVE IT FEARING IT MAY START A FIRE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT SUBARU WILL DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND ALSO, I HAVE TO HAVE AN EMISSIONS TEST DONE IN ANOTHER STATE WHERE I WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM. THANKS, ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX DURING COLD TEMPERATURES A FUEL LINE LEAKS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM (TSB: 09-36-03), BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN MADE A RECALL. IF ENOUGH FUEL ACCUMULATES I WOULD EXPECT. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF CAR, FOLLOWING START OF VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. SOUNDS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04002 EXCEPT THIS IS HAPPENING IN TEMPERATURES 40-50 DEGREE FARENHEIT. *CN

DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS HAD THE STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. ITS NOT CONSISTENT NOR DOES IT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT CONCERNS ME. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU'S HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO RE-CALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO THEY WON'T FIX IT. I'M CONCERNED THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS NOR FIX. *TR

ON COLD MORNINGS THERE IS A TREMENDOUS GASOLINE SMELL IN SIDE THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT AND WHEN THE OVERNIGHT TEMP GOES BELOW 35F. GAS CAN BE SMELLED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE GAS CAN BE SEEN POOLING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. I DECIDED TO FILE THIS REPORT AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX OWNERS WHO INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD AND THAT IF THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD, A MANDATORY RECALL IS IN ORDER. *JB