2009 Subaru Impreza Complaint Log

I BOUGHT MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HATCHBACK A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSEDLY A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED A SLIGHT SHIFT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. WE WERE TOLD BY MANY SUBARU OWNERS THAT THAT IS NORMAL. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT BECAME VERY HARD TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT IS NOW ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AS WELL AS SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. WE WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH BUT AFTER LOOKING ONLINE NOTICED THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE BECAUSE THE FIREWALL IS CRACKING WHERE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER MOUNTS FOR IT ARE. APPARENTLY SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT BUT HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.

REAR LEFT BRAKE STARTED MAKING A SCRAPING SOUND AS IF THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN AND GOUGING THE ROTOR, ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING AS IF THE ROTOR WAS WARPED. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN BUT IN FACT THE SMOOTH SURFACE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ROTOR WAS CHIPPING AWAY AND THE ROTOR WAS VERY ROUGH,. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL ROTORS AND THE REAR LEFT WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THE REAR RIGHT ROTOR WAS WORN BADLY ALSO BUT THE PADS BARELY SHOWED ANY WEAR. THESE REAR BRAKE PADS ARE THE SECOND SET SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME.

FRONT END COLLISION, VEHICLE TOTALED. SEAT BELT FAILURE. BRAKE FAILURE. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MULTIPLE INJURIES SUSTAINED. *TR

CAR USED AS DAILY DRIVER TO COMMUTE LESS THAN 14 MILES ROUND TRIP FOR WORK. CLUTCH BEGAN TO DEVELOP A POP NOISE WHICH THEN TURNED INTO A LOUD SQUEAK FOLLOWED BY MORE THAN A 1/2" OF MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD START TO MOVE WHEN THE CLUTCH WOULD BE DEPRESSED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF READING LOCAL OWNERS THREADS AND ASKING AROUND I HAVE FOUND THAT THE WELDS THAT HOLD MY BRAKE AND CLUTCH TOGETHER HAVE BROKEN AND ARE CONTINUING TO BREAK WHICH COULD LEAD TO MY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FALLING DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RENDER ME FROM USING MY BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND STI OWNERS WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON MULTIPLE LOCAL OWNERS CLUB WEBSITES AND COULD AFFECT BODILY HARM TO DRIVERS OF THE CARS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD! SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND IN MOST CASES WILL NOT COVER REPAIR COSTS! *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON I-74 BETWEEN CINCINNATI OH AND INDIANAPOLIS IN I NOTICED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ENGINE KNOCK AT AROUND SHELBYVILLE IN. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG SO I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. AFTER REACHING I-465 IN INDIANAPOLIS THE KNOCK BEGAN TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-465 AND I-65 THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY (POWER STEERING, TURN SIGNALS, ETC). AT THE TIME OF POWER LOSS I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE FAST LANE. LUCKILY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING AT A SAFE DISTANCE AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND SAFELY GET ONTO THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER. I WAS THEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF OF I-465 FOR MY SAFETY. HOWEVER, AT THE NEXT EXIT THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN SHUTDOWN. I WAS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE DEALER AND MY EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER I BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS A FAILED BEARING WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE FACT THAT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 6 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. IF THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE INTERSTATE HAD NOT BEEN PAYING AS CLOSE ATTENTION AS THEY WERE I BELIEVE THAT THIS CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MYSELF AND POTENTIALLY OTHERS. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES AND IS WELL CARED FOR SO THE EARLY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CANNOT BE DUE TO NEGLECT. SUBARU HAS ESTIMATED THE COST OF THE REPAIR AT $11K FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND IS CURRENTLY NOT OFFERING TO COVER ANY OF THE COSTS EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND NOT DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. *TR

STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO GEAR ESPECIALLY GETTING INTO REVERSE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE TECH WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BOX PEDAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. AFTER THE PEDAL BOX WAS RECEIVED THEY NOTICED IT WASN'T THE BOX AT ALL, BUT THE FIREWALL WELDS HOLDING THE CLUTCH/BREAK PEDAL BOX WERE BROKEN ON THE FIREWALL. BECAUSE THE WELDS SNAPPED THE CLUTCH/BRAKE CAGE MOVES AND IT CAN'T LET THE CLUTCH TRAVEL FAR ENOUGH TO PROPERLY ENGAGE CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO WORK PROPERLY AND ALSO THE BREAKS CANT BE PRESSED CORRECTLY TO STOP THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR SAFETY SAKE TILL THE WELDS WERE REPAIRED OR WE COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WAS STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO GEAR ESPECIALLY GETTING INTO REVERSE. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR A CAUSE. THE TECH WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR 1800 BUCKS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR A SECOND ANSWER, IMMEDIATELY WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FIREWALL.THE WELDS HAVE SNAPPED. BECAUSE THE WELDS HAVE SNAPPED THE CLUTCH CAN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY CAUSING ONE TO HAVE EITHER TERRIBLE SHIFTS OR POSSIBLY GRINDING OF GEARS! *TR

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FUEL THE VEHICLE (THE TANK WAS LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER FULL), THE GAS SPLASHED BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON ME AND ALLOVER THE GROUND. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO FUEL, BUT THE TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT GAS. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE INJURIES FROM THE GASOLINE SPLASH, AND IT CAN CAUSE STRANDED DRIVERS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REFUELED. IT MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE ARE PLENTY OF FORUMS ONLINE WHERE PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR 2009 IMPREZAS... THERE MUST BE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART, BUT SUBARU IS NOT RECALLING IT? PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE FIREWALL WHERE EVERYTIME I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH THE FIREWALL FLEXES AND IT IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS UNDER NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS REALLY LOUD POPPING NOISE EVERYTIME I WOULD ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY FOOT HAS SHIFTED OFF THE PEDAL DUE TO A FAST SUDDEN MOVE FROM THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I DROVE THE CAR TO TEXAS TO VISIT FAMILY AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGE BEFORE RETURNING TO CALIFORNIA. THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SUBARU IN TEXAS, WHICH DROVE MY CAR TO THE SERVICE AREA, ASKED ME IF I HAD NOTICED THE CLICKING NOISE AND I TOLD HIM YES. HE THEN INFORMED ME THAT MANY 2008-2009 IMPREZA WRX HAVE PROBLEMS WITH WELD SPOTS WHICH HOLD THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FIRE WALL THAT THEN FAIL AND BRAKE OFF. HE GAVE ADVICE ON HOW TO LOOK FOR BROKEN WELDS, SO AS SOON AS I ARRIVED TO CALIFORNIA I FURTHER INSPECTED FOR THE BROKEN WELDS AND SURE ENOUGH HE WAS RIGHT. SO I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND DESCRIBED THE DEFECT ON MY CAR TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT SINCE IT'S A SAFETY DEFECT, SPECIALLY WITH CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR WHICH ARE THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL. AS OF TODAY 11/5/2014 THEY HAVE YET TO DECIDE IF THEY ARE COVERING THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR IS CURRENTLY 85K AND ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, THEY ARE BLAMING THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE CAR WITH AN OEM REPLACEMENT CLUTCH. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A NIGHTMARE WITH ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. I REALLY HOPE NHTSA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE ANY FATALITIES OR ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I AM CURRENTLY GOING THREW THIS RIGHT NOW, SO I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH MY CAR. I REALLY NEED HELP FROM NHTSA, EVEN IF THEY FIX MY CAR, SUBARU NEEDS TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS YEAR AND MODELS OF THIS PROBLEM. ALL OVER THE INTERNET THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND OTHERS THAT ARE YET TO GO THREW. OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE AND CAUTIOUS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT FABRICATION DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FORENSICS EXAMINER DETERMINED THAT THE ABS FLUID LEAKED ON THE ENGINE CAUSING THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS FAULTY. WE REPLACED IT 12 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS BROKEN AGAIN. THE INTERNAL SPRING/CLIP FAILS, SO THE SUN VISOR HANGS DOWN, AND IMPAIRS VISION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND WE HAVE NEARLY CRASHED TWICE DUE TO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU TO INFORM THEM OF THIS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH PROVES IT'S A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE, AND HAS BEEN SINCE 2000. PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS A PRODUCT RECALL AND REPLACE ALL OF THE CHEAP VISORS THAT ARE CURRENTLY INSTALLED BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. *TR

STARTED HAVING ISSUES GETTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE CLUTCH BROUGHT IT INTO A SHOP TO GET THE CLUTCH DISC REPLACED. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS FROM A BROKEN WELD ON THE FIREWALL. *TR

WELDS ATTACHING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL BROKE. THE CLUTCH IS NOW NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES 3/4 OF AN INCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE CAR IS NOW AT RISK OF LOSING ABILITY TO BRAKE IF THE WELDS COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE FIREWALL. THE WELDS HOLD THE ENTIRE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IN PLACE. *TR

WIRING IN FUSE BOX UNDER HIGH BEAM RELAY CORRODES CREATING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD AND STOP HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FROM FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THIS IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES IN FUSE BOX AND LIGHTING ISSUES AT NIGHT. AFTER SPEAKING TO SEVERAL OTHER 2008 TO 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA OWNERS I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT. *TR

EXCESSIVE FIREWALL FLEX AND POSSIBLE BROKEN WELDS HAVE LEAD TO PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE, MOVEMENT OF BRAKE PEDAL DURING CLUTCH OPERATION, AND LOUD CLICKING SOUND WHENEVER CLUTCH IT RELEASED. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAVE REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT, DESPITE MY CAR STILL BEING COVERED BY A SUBARU ADDED SECURITY WARRANTY PLAN. *TR

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX - CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED TO MALFUNCTION, BEGAN MAKING A CREAKING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED, AND WOULDN'T SHIFT CLEANLY INTO MOST GEARS. WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. OVER A SHORT TIME, THIS CREAKING NOISE TURNED INTO A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED 8 MONTHS PRIOR - THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE FOREMAN AND SERVICE MANAGER BOTH ADVISED US THAT SOME OF THE SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. BOTH MEN INSISTED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE (NOT COMFORTING COMING FROM TRAINED SUBARU SERVICE SPECIALISTS) AND HAD NO INDICATION AS TO HOW IT HAD HAPPENED (OTHER THAN BEING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE WE PURCHASED IT, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY, I.E. BODY DAMAGE, VEHICLE HISTORY REPORTS, ETC). UPON RESEARCHING FURTHER, WE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING. STOHLMAN SUBARU OF VIENNA, VA TOLD US THAT IT WAS OUR PROBLEM AND THAT IF IT WAS THEIR CAR, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN BOTHER FIXING IT! I FIND THIS VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, AS THE CAR IS NOT CHEAP, IT IS MADE FOR RALLYING AND RACING, AND WHILE THE REPAIR IS EXTENSIVE (SO WE WERE TOLD), IT DEFINITELY WOULD NOT BE MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. WHY WOULD THEY RECOMMEND TO US TO NOT FIX THE CAR? THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RELATIVELY COMMON ISSUE ON SUBARU IMPREZA WRXS, AND JUST THAT FACT ALONE POINTS TO DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL ON THESE PARTS, IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. EACH TIME THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WE RUN THE RISK OF BREAKING THE FINAL WELDS, WHICH LEAVES YOU WITH ZERO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UTTERLY WORTHLESS FOR ANY HELP OR GUIDANCE. *TR

GAS TANK WILL NOT ALLOW ANY GAS TO BE PUMPED. ATTEMPTED TO PUMP AND GAS SPRAYED BACK OUT. CAR IS THROWING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OF P0453 "EVAP SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSOR HIGH INPUT." CAR IS NEARLY ON E FOR GAS. TAKING TO DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUE AS GAS COULD SPRAY ON PERSON, CAUSING INJURY. *TR

VEHICLE WILL NOT TAKE FUEL. FUEL NOZZLE SHUTS OFF AS IF TANK IS FULL OR FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK. TRIED THREE DIFFERENT PUMPS AT THE FIRST GAS STATION, THEN DROVE TO TWO OTHER GAS STATIONS AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO FILL WITH APPROXIMATELY 1 GALLON OF FUEL. FROM ONLINE INQUIRIES, MAY BE POSSIBLE FUEL TANK PRESSURE VALVE FAILURE? *TR

I NOTICED A CONSISTENT SQUEAK WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AT ALL SPEEDS, AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF. I TRIED TO LUBRICATE IT, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALSO TRIED TO LUBRICATE IT, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY. THE DEALER ASKED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY SO THE CLUTCH COULD BE DISASSEMBLED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I HAD PURCHASED A NEW CLUTCH FROM THE DEALER FOR $1600 IN SEPTEMBER, 2012 WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS BROKEN WELDS BETWEEN THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND FIREWALL. THE DEALER AND I BOTH CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO FIND A RESOLUTION. MY CASE NUMBER WAS SR #:[XXX]. I TOLD THE SUBARU REP THAT THIS WAS A COMMON AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF SUBARU BASED ON MY OWN INTERNET RESEARCH, BUT THE REP DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH IMPREZZA WRXS. THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE (>$2000) BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH OF THE VEHICLE MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE BROKEN WELDS TO BE FIXED BY A THIRD PARTY BODY SHOP. THEN, THE DASH MUST BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR TOOK TWO FULL WEEKS. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED REPAIR TIMES OF UP TO TWO MONTHS. WITH NEW WELDS, THE CLUTCH SQUEAK IS GONE. SUBARU INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALER WOULD COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE AS A "ONE TIME GOOD WILL GESTURE" AND I AM GRATEFUL ABOUT THAT, BUT CONCERNED FOR OTHER OWNERS THAT SUBARU IS SWEEPING THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE RUG. IF THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BREAKS APART FROM THE BODY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL MAY RESULT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVER SIDE VISOR SPRING MECHANISM BROKEN. *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX MAKES A LOUD CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT'S DEPRESSED. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I FOUND THAT THE THREE SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL WERE BROKEN. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, I SAW THE SPOT WELDS PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CREAKING NOISE. IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE - ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. REFERENCE LINKS: HTTP://CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/SUBARU/IMPR...S-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTP://WWW.FAQS.ORG/CAR/SUBARU-IMPRE...POWER-TRAIN/#B HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/84-D...ON-NEEDED.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/37-C...INKAGE-45.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/84-D...EWALL-FIX.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/37-C...BLY-ISSUE.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/84-D...S-STORY-2.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/84-D...L-PROBLEM.HTML HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/84-D...OLT-STYLE.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOW....PHP?T=2128617 HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOW....PHP?T=2184210 HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOW....PHP?T=2305937. *TR

ENGINE ROD BEARING FAILURE @ 64000 MILES WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE CAR AND OIL WAS NEVER ADDED TO CHANGE THEIR JUDGMENT. THIS, IN MY OPINION, IS "NOT" DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. BUILD DATE WAS AUG. 9TH 2008. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THE START. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN ISSUED A RECALL IF SOA KNOWS OF THESE HUNDREDS OF ISSUES. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BUYING A $25,000 LEMON! *TR

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT, VDC LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT ALL ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND LATER TURNED IT ON AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE LIGHTS ILLUMINTATED AGAIN. *TR

FIRE WALL WHERE THE CLUTCH MASTER CILINDER SITS MOVES IN AND OUT WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED MAKING A CRACKING NOICE, AND CAUSING FIRE WALL METAL TOMEXPAND

I HAVE A HORRIBLE SQUEAK COMING FROM MY CLUTCH PEDAL. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, WHEN I DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE CLUTCH A LOUD SQUEAK SQUEAKING NOISE IS PRODUCED. THIS WEEK THE CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN TO SQUEAK CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING AS IF WERE LOOSE. I HAVE TO BRACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL WITH MY LEFT FOOT IN ORDER TO STOP THE NOISE WHICH IS CONSTANT AT MOST SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY OVER BUMPS. A CLOSER LOOK REVEALED THAT IT APPEARS THE WELDS ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE'S FIREWALL. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE PEDAL BREAKING OFF DURING DRIVING AND THE POTENTIAL OF A CRASH. *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL MAKES A LOUD CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT'S DEPRESSED. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE, I FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS PRESSED. I NOTICED THAT THE THREE SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL ARE BROKEN. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, I SAW THE SPOT WELDS PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EVER TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CREAKING NOISE. IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE - ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS TO THE INSIDE FIREWALL HAS SEPARATED FROM ITS SPOT WELDS AND IS CAUSING A LOUD CREAKING NOISE, AS WELL AS DIFFICULTY WITH SHIFTING GEARS, AND DECREASED BRAKING ABILITY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. *TR

MY CLUTCH STARTED SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE AND DOWN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO CAR WERE BROKEN AND STARTING TO SEPARATE FROM THE FIREWALL. EVENTUALLY, THE WELDS WILL FAIL AND COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY FROM THE FIREWALL. THUS, CLUTCH AND BRAKING ABILITIES WILL BE GONE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

MY 2009 SUBARU WRX HAS A BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET, THIS HAS LED TO EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CLUTCH SHOP AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO TOUCH IT, THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED THE DEALER FOR ME AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, TO WHICH THE DEALER SAID NO. I BELIEVE SUBARU IS BEING DISHONEST AS I HAVE FOUND MANY CONSUMERS ON ONLINE FORUMS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM. *TR

THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE CLUTCH, BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL FAILED ENTIRELY, ALLOWING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND MOVE TOWARD THE FIREWALL WITH ANY PEDAL ACTION. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKES DELIVERED INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. *TR

WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED, A SQUEAKING SOUND APPEARS AS IF AN OLD WOODEN DOOR IS OPENING. UPON SEARCH WAS FOUND THAT THE WELDS HOLDING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ARE BREAKING. THERE ARE ONLY SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE ASSEMBLY DOWN AND IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF ALL WELDS BREAK. *TR

MY SUBARU'S CLUTCH PEDAL IS BREAKING THE SPOT WELDS. PRETTY SOON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL FALL OFF. SUBARU WONT REPLACE IT ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. GOD FORBID I AM COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THIS CLUTCH PEDAL FINISHES FALLING OFF AND I CAN NOT DISENGAGE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING TO THE 2008 AND 2009 WRX BUT NOT THE STI BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PULL TYPE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL ENGAGES DIFFERENTLY. *TR

WHITE SMOKE WHEN START UP, AND SMOKE IN THE OIL WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, POSSIBLE BLOWN RING LAND DUE TO WEAK DESIGN, COMPRESSION TEST NEEDED TO TELL. *KB

ORIGINAL TIRE DEFECT DISCOVERED AT 16K MILES ON ONE TIRE (BULGE IN SIDEWALL) WITH NO KNOWN REASON (NO IMPACTS OR POTHOLES). NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL 4 SINCE IT IS AN AWD. EXTREME COST OF $500 AND PUT ME IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT. DEFECTIVE TIRE: FIRESTONE/ BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92A (DOT EM8KJLL0309) ONLY 16K MILES ON CAR AND TIRES. DID PREVENT ACCIDENT BUT FLAWED TIRES SHOULD BE MONITORED FOR FUTURE RECALL OF DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE PRODUCTS. *KB

ON FRIDAY 7/8/11, MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX FAILED TO FILL UP GAS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK WAS EMPTY. INSTEAD, GAS SPEWED ALL OVER THE FLOOR CREATING A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON FRIDAY AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW AND WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I CONTACTED SUBARU TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEIR IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH AN INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON SUBARU FORUMS STATING OTHERWISE. THIS CAN BE A DETRIMENTAL SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE GETS HURT FROM THIS. MY WIFE AND 1 YR OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR DURING THIS INCIDENT. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE GAS FROM CONTINUING TO SPEW OVER AND GET MY SON TO SAFETY. *TT

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW SUBARU IMPREZA ON JULY 27, 2009 FROM SUBARU DEALER, GRAND SUBARU, AT BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 FOR $18,000 WITH WARRANTY FOR 30-60K MILES. IT BROKE DOWN WHEN IT HAD JUST 9,221 MILES ON IT SHOWING "ENGINE FAILURE" ON NOV. 09, 2010. THE SUBARU DEALER WHO FIXED IT AFTER LOT OF HASSLE, STATED IN HIS INVOICE AS SOME "COIL" IS CRACKED IN THE IGNITION. I CAN SEND YOU THE RECEIPT THAT I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION FOR YOUR RECORD. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS AND WANT SUBARU TO COVER ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH ITS ENGINE FOR ANOTHER 1 YEARS FREE OF COST. I SHALL CONSIDER REPORTING THIS FAILURE OF THE CAR VIA INTERNET TO MAKE AWRY OF OTHER PROSPECTIVE AND SUBARU OWNERS, IF I DO NOT GET A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE WITHIN 10 DAYS. THANKS YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1. The weakness (dimness) of the low beams is a DANGEROUS situation. The assemblies are not dirty or oxidized; the low beam height was properly adjusted; Tested the power going to each light and it showed 14 volts; Bought some high power LED bulbs which didn't help. I am very hesitant to spend up to $400 for new assemblies hoping that maybe it will fix the problem. I have adjusted the high beam level to the height of what the low beams were and now have to use the high beams as low beams to sufficiently see the road and now have no high beams if I need them. Subaru should be recalling and replacing these faulty assemblies immediately. 2. Wheel lugs shear off when being removed. When the lug nuts were put on, they were tightened with a torque wrench to manufacturer specifications. This is the only vehicle (out of the 13 I have owned) I have ever had this problem with. Subaru should be recalling and replacing lugs immediately with lugs of proper materials immediately.

ENGINE KNOCK SOUND WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, PULLED OFF NEXT EXIT AND CAR SHUT DOWN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR OIL LIGHTS INDICATING AN ISSUE. UPON RESTART KNOCKING SOUND WAS LOUDER AND HAD A METAL SOUND TO IT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. UPON FIRST REVIEW DEALER IDENTIFIED IT AS "INTERNAL CONNECTING-ROD BEARING FAILURE" WHICH CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. SUBARU OF AMERICA DENIED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE ECM BEING MODIFIED, STATING "OUR ENGINEERS REVIEWED YOUR FILE AND DEEMED IT TO BE CAUSED BY THE ECM MODIFICATION". I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF THE EXACT ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, AS WELL AS A MY DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS FAILURE. SOA IS PROVIDING A "ONE TIME GOOD FAITH REPAIR" BUT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE THE ECM. IN MY OPINION THIS ISSUE WHICH SOA IS AWARE OF AND ACKNOWLEDGES WITH A TSB SHOULD BE A RECALL - THE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE BODILY HARM - LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE SEIZE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. FURTHER I AM TOTALLY UNSURE OF HOW SOA CAN CLAIM THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ECM MODIFICATION WITHOUT EVER PHYSICALLY SEEING OR HAVING THE MOTOR PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ECM MODIFICATION IS AN EXCUSE TO NOT FULLY COVER THE REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. SOME OF THE FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE CONTACT, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVE WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN A WEEK LATER. SOME OF THE FUEL SPLASHED INTO THE CONTACTS EYES DURING THE RECENT FAILURE, RESULTING IN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF UPDATED 3/06/2012 *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOVERED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO ROD KNOCK / SPUN BEARING DUE TO MANUFACTURE TO INCORRECT TOLERANCES. *TR

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, ~25K MILES. DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STARTS KNOCKING. HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO BOSTON VISITING FAMILY WITH MY DOG IN THE CAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A FLIGHT BACK HOME AND MISS HALF A DAY'S WORK. MY CAR IS OUT OF COMMISSION IN NJ WHILE I'M UP IN BOSTON FOR 2 WEEKS. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE SO FAR WITH THIS MODEL CAR. SUBARU ADMITTED A DEFAULT IN MANUFACTURING FOR THOSE PEOPLE WITH CARS IN A BUILD DATE RANGE OF 7/08 AND 8/08 BUT DID NOT SEND OUT LETTERS TO OWNERS IN THAT BUILD DATE RANGE. THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO NOTIFY THE USERS OR PREEMPTIVELY FIX THE PROBLEM. BY WILLINGLY KNOWING THAT A CUSTOMER'S ENGINE COULD FAIL AND WAITING UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS, CAUSING HARDSHIP ON THE OWNER, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WARRANTS A RECALL. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

MOTOR FAILURE LEAVING ME TO ROLL THOUGH AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IN 09 IMPREZA SUBARU; SUBARU WILL FIX THE CAR TO OPERATE WITH ADULT OVER 100 LBS. OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM WILL NOT EVER OPERATE AND SUBARU FEELS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMS IT PASSED FEDERAL SAFETY AND CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. *TR

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON HAS 5960 MILES WAS A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE IN OCTOBER 2009. VEHICLE NEW CAR GUIDELINES WERE FOLLOWED AS WERE THE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. THE VEHICLE ENGINE I FEEL HAS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS SPUN A BEARING BLOWN A ROD AND DAMAGED THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS FROM WHAT HAVE RESEARCHED IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR

THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN 2010. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (STEADY, NOT BLINKING) AND AFTER THAT I ATTEMPTED TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR. THE TANK WAS DOWN TO APPROX. 1/4 BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE GAS, AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD GAS IT BACK SPLASHED ALL OVER ME. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH SPIDER WEBS IN THE LINE CAUSING A PRESSURE PROBLEM IN THE TANK, AND REPLACED THE PRESSURE VALVE. SINCE THEN THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES - I AM NOW ON MY 3RD PRESSURE VALVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON SEVERAL FRONTS: UNEXPECTED BACKSPLASH OF GAS, POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ADD IT (I.E. BEING TOTALLY STUCK FAR FROM HOME) AND PRESSURE IN THE TANK (SEEMS THIS COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR OTHER DANGER). THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS - A RECALL IS NECESSARY TO FORCE SUBARU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND COMING UP WITH A FIX TO PREVENT SPIDER ENTRY (MAZDA AND HONDA HAVE ADDRESSED THIS SAME ISSUE - MAZDA RECALLED 50K + CARS). *JS

2009 IMPREZA WRX THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A FAILURE WAS GOING TO OCCUR BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NORMALLY FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AROUND 2000 RPM, SOUNDING LIKE METAL HITTING METAL AS I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST ENTERED MY NEIGHBORHOOD SO I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. SUBARU ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE CAR AND I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL FOR 20 DAYS. SUBARU DEALER SAID IT WAS A SPUN ROD BEARING AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH I REQUESTED A LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT I ONLY GOT A SHORT BLOCK, SO THE TURBO IS THE SAME. SINCE THIS OCCURRED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING REPLACEMENT, STARTER, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON BUT ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE SUBARU OF THAT FACT. ENGINE BLOWN AT 3300 MILES. CLUTCH PROBLEM AT 7000 MILES. STARTER FAILURE AT 9600 MILES (2/2011). REPORTED TO SOA. *TR

REAR WINDOW DEFROST IS INADEQUATE -- WILL NOT CLEAR LIGHT SNOW OR FROST UNTIL IT HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR 15-20 MINUTES. IMPEDES REAR VISION IN NORTHERN STATES. *TR