2002 Subaru WRX Complaint Log

ABS ACTIVATES ON BUMPY ROADS.

LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ON UNEVEN TERRAIN. WHEN ROAD IS NOT SMOOTH, BRAKES SEEM TO LOSE POWER AND CAR DOES NOT SLOW. *AK

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX AND WANTED TO ADD TO THE LIST OF ABS COMPLAINTS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME A BUMP IS HIT THE BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND REGARDLESS OF SPEED. I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN A SIDEWALK ONCE TRAVELING 20 MPH WHERE I JUST HAPPENED TO HIT A BUMP AT THE SAME TIME I TRIED TO STOP. I HAD TO LET GO OF THE BRAKES AND REAPPLY TO GET THEM TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE EXACT DATES ARE UNKNOWN.

DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON DAYS WHERE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES EXCEED 90 DEGREES, AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE ENTERS THE CABIN AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE GASOLINE FUMES OFTEN REMAIN IN THE CABIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED.

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WHERE THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY 2002 SUBARU WRX ACTS IN AN UNPREDICATABLE MANNER. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN BRAKING ON A UNEVEN SURFACE. BASICALLY IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS ENGAGES TO PREVENT WHEEL LOCK-UP GOING OVER THE BUMPS, YET PEDAL PRESSURE DECREASES AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASES. LUCKILY I AM FROM THE TIME BEFORE ABS AND MY INSTICT WHEN THE BRAKES AREN'T REACTING PROPERLY IS TO RELEASE AND THEN REAPPLY THE BRAKES. WITHOUT THIS INSTINCT I WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BY NOW. I BELIEVE THERE IS A FLAW IN THE ABS ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF EXPERIENCE ON ANY OTHER ABS EQUIPPED VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN.

MY MODEL YEAR 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON HAS HAD A SLIGHT REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY ABS BRAKING SENSOR. *AK THE CAR SUFFERS FROM A DROP IN PRESSURE OF BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND BRAKE PERFORMANCE OVER UNEVEN OR BUMPY ROADS. WHEN BRAKING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IF A BUMPY OR UNEVEN SURFACE IS ENCOUNTERED WHILE BRAKING THE ABS KICKS IN AND THERE IS A LOSS IN CONTROL VIA THE BRAKE PEDAL OF THE BRAKING FORCE. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT AS DESCRIBED, AND CAN BE QUITE DISCONCERTING. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT UNDER PANIC SITUATIONS, COUPLED WITH LESS THAN IDEAL ROAD SURFACES, THIS CONDITION COULD PROVE VERY DANGEROUS, AS THE BRAKING DISTANCE OF THE CAR INCREASES DRAMATICALLY DURING THIS ACTION.

CAR: 02 SUBARU WRX MANUAL TRANSMISSION THE CAR SUFFERS FROM THE CLUTCH JUDDER DESCRIBED BY MANY, AND DETAILED IN TSB 03-51-02. MY CAR HAS 44000 MILES. THE BASIC WARRANTY ON THE CAR IS 3YR/36000. POWRTRAIN IS 6 YR/60000. MY DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES MY PROBLEM AS BEING EXACTLY AS IN THE TSB. HOWEVER, HE INFORMS ME THE REPAIR IS NOT TO BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO ME- SINCE THE BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. GIVEN THAT THE CAR IS SO DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, AND THERE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IN A POWERTRAIN COMPONENT, I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM. EXCEPT SUBARU OF AMERICA WANTING TO AVOID PAYING FOR IT BY LABELING IT A 'WEAR' ITEM, AND THEREFORE COVERED UNDER 3YR/36K. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK

OVER ROUGH SURFACES (POTHOLES IN PAVEMENT, ROUGH PAVEMENT, RAILROAD CROSSINGS, UNEVEN PAVEMENT) THE ABS WILL KICK ON AT A LOW SPEED AND IT SEEMS, IF ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THAT THE CAR IS NOT BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY AND I NEED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO AVOID BRAKING ON THESE TYPES OF ROADS BY BRAKING EARLY AND ROLLING THROUGH THE ROUGH AREAS WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED.*AK

2002 WRX WAGON. MANUAL SHIFT. CLUTCH PROBLEMS ON DAILY BASIS, NO MATTER IF THE CAR IS PROPERLY WARMED UP OR COLD. CAR SHUDDERS. ALSO, IT'S HARD TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND FROM 3RD TO 2ND. EVEN WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS FULLY PRESSED, GRINDING SOUND APPEARS. THERE'S NO SPECIFIC PATTERN IN THIS BEHAVIOUR. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING OR MOVING FROM A FULL STOP. *AK

WHEN I AM BRAKING ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE, SUCH AS A POTHOLE, OR SOMETIMES ON GRAVEL, THE ABS WILL BE TRIGGERED, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKING PRESSURE WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED CONSIDERABLY. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS, YET, BUT I AM WORRIED AS I CAN'T BE MONITORING PAVEMENT CONDITIONS EVERYTIME I APPLY MY BRAKES.*AK

WHEN DRIVING IN PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. (ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR) SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ACCIDENT, JUST TRYING TO PREVENT ONE. I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. THIS HAS HAPPEN IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER A SPECIFIC DATE. *AK

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

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR REVIEW OF THE ABS ISSUES WITH THESE CARS. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG ALL WRX OWNERS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I WAS TRYING TO STOP AND WOULD HIT A POTHOLE AND THE ABS BECAME OVERACTIVE AND I ACTUALLY WENT PARTLY THROUGH THE LIGHT. IT ONLY TAKES A SMALL BUMP TO DRASTICALLY HAMPER THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURANCE WAS JUST LAST MONTH.*AK

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX LOSS OF BRAKE POWER DURING BRAKING APPLICATION AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER DRY AND UNEVEN OR BUMPY ROAD SURFACES... MUST DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE APPLICATION AND REAPPLY THE BRAKES TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE... REPEATABLE OCCURRENCES. *PH

WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN SURFACES, BRAKES WILL MOMENTARILY STOP WORKING.*AK

WHENEVER I BRAKE OVER UNEVEN (JIGGLY) TERRAIN, THE ABS ON MY 2002 WRX "KICKS IN" AND BRAKING IS REDUCED AND BRAKING DISTANCE IS LENGTHENED. NO OTHER CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED WITH ABS OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, BUT NUMEROUS SCARY MOMENTS WHEN BRAKING WAS DIMINISHED WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS.*AK

THE STANDARD TRANSMISSION COMMONLY FAILS TO GO INTO GEAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT A STOP AND ALSO WHILE MOVING. DOUBLE CLUTCHING IS COMMONLY NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE DESIRED GEAR. *JB

SUBARU WRX ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM PERIODICALLY AND UNPRDICTABLY INHIBITS STOPPING POWER.*AK

DURING A RATHER LOW SPEED STOP ON A HIGH FRICTION SURFACE, I APPLIED THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF SAND AND SOME POTHOLES AT THE INTERSECTION. I FELT THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGE AND BEGIN PULSING...AND ALL BRAKING POWER WENT AWAY, I DID NOT CONTINUE TO SLOW DOWN AND LITERALLY COASTED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION. MY FOOT WAS FULLY DEPRESSED AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH LESS THAN 13K MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT. SHAPE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THE ABS REMOVING ALL BRAKING ACTION UNDER CONDITIONS WHERE FULL LOCKUP IS NOT OCCURRING. *NLM

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE ABS ON THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. IT'S SO SENSITIVE THAT IT ACTUALLY IS INSTRUSIVE. IT COMES IN WAY TO EARLY AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHERE THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEM BRAKING. DURING ROUTINE BRAKING, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER AND THUS A LONGER BRAKING DISTANCE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS WITH ABS AND THIS CAR'S SYSTEM IS NOT NORMAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A "NORMAL" PROBLEM WITH WRXS AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *JB

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

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN MY 2002 SUBARU WRX. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS FORUMS ABOUT THIS TOPIC. FUEL LINE CLAMPS ARE COMING LOOSE AND SUBARU IS TURNING A BLIND EYE TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

I EXPERIENCE DBRAKE FAILURE WITH MY 2002 SUBARU WRX DURING A MODERATE SPEED (ABOUT 35 MPH) EMERGENCY PANIC STOP, RESULTING IN MY SLIDING INTO A TRUCK THAT CUT ME OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND HIS TRUCK.*AK THE DATE LISTED BELOW MAY BE INCORRECT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE DATE WITH ME RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF THE INCIDENT. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS FAIRLY DRY AND SLIGHTLY BUMPY AND AFTER STOMPING ON THE BRAKES THEY WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH NO PULSING AND VERY LITTLE STOPPING. I FELT LIKE I WAS ON ICE WITH NO ABS. I COMMENTED TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY DURING MY INITIAL CALL REPORTING THE ACCIDENT THAT I FELT I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP AND THAT THE BRAKES JUST "SLID". I ALSO REPORTED IT TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHO CHECKED IT OUT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AFTER THE BODY WORK WAS DONE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE THIS SINCE I DON'T DRIVE THAT HARD AND AVOID HARD STOPS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE THIS TO BE ADDRESSED TO AVOID POTENTIAL FUTURE ACCIDENTS. THANKS, CRAIG HOFFMAN

HYDRAULIC ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CAUSE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE TRAVERSING BUMPY SURFACE.*AK

BUMPY ROADS CAUSE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO ENGAGE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BRAKE PRESSURE DECREASES AND VEHICLE DOES NOT DECELLERATE.*AK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX, AND WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, I GET A VERY INTENSE GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAB OF THE CAR. READING ON THE SUBARU FORUMS, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OTHER SUBARU WRX OWNERS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE GOTTEN IT FIXED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY, BUT MOST OF US HAVE NO MORE WARRANTY LEFT. I HAVE GONE TO MY LOCAL DEALER (OGDEN SUBARU) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND HE TREATED ME WITH SUCH DISRESPECT THAT IT OUTRAGES ME. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE LABOR TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WAS $450 DOLLARS, AND THE PARTS ARE $350 DOLLARS. THEN HE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT I WAS USING THE WRONG OCTANE OF FUEL, AND I WAS "REVVING" THE ENGINE WHEN MY CAR IS COLD, WHICH IS '!@#$% TO BEGIN WITH. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT FROM TOO SMALL OF FUEL HOSES ON THE FUEL RAIL, AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FROM THE FUMES OF THE GAS IN THE CAB OF THE CAR, SO WHY THE '!@#$% IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THESE PARTS? TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT IM GOING THROUGH, I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK EVERY DAY WITH MY REAR WINDOWS UNROLLED TO GET THE FUMES OUT (I LIVE IN NORTHERN UTAH, THERE IS 3 FEET OF SNOW ON THE GROUND), AND I CANNOT TURN MY HEATER ON BECAUSE IT VENTS MORE GAS SMELL INTO MY CAR. THEY SAY THAT GAS IS NOT AS FLAMMABLE AS THE VAPORS IT GIVES OFF, HOW LONG AM I GOING TO HAVE THIS HAZARD BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS FIXED? ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE, TO HELL IF I AM GOING TO PAY FOR A REPAIR FOR A PART ON MY CAR THAT IS NOT MY FAULT AT ALL, YET ITS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET A LAWYER INVOLVED WITH THIS SITUATION, BUT IF I HAVE TO, I WILL, AND IM SURE HE WILL BE AS OUTRAGED AS I AM. -ERIK P.S. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MYSELF AND WITH MANY OTHER SUBARU WRX OWNERS, I THINK ITS TIME WE GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *LA

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS (DATE IS THE FIRST INCIDENT I RECALL). ON SURFACES THAT ARE WET, SNOWY OR ICY, I CANNOT BRAKE INTO A TURN. THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OR STOP, BUT MERELY SLIDES IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND EVENTUALLY STOPS AFTER IT GOES 3 FEET OR MORE, DEPENDING ON MY SPEED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE TURN. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, EVEN WHEN I AM GOING VERY SLOWLY (LESS THAN 5 MPH, FOR EXAMPLE, AS TO MAKE A 90-DEGREE TURN INTO A PARKING LOT). IN ORDER TO TAKE TWO TURNS ON MY DAILY COMMUTE, I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, TURN THE WHEEL, AND THEN ACCELERATE INTO THE TURN. AMAZINGLY, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH I HAVE HAD SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS. ONE THING IVE FOUND THAT HELPS IS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SHARPLY SO THE FRONT TIRES ARE PERPENDICULAR TO THE CARS PATH. I COULDNT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO TRY, AND THIS SEEMS TO MAKE THE CAR STOP MORE QUICKLY WHILE IN A SLIDE. THE MECHANICS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND PRONOUNCED MY BRAKES FINE. I TRIED TO SUGGEST SOMETHING ELSE TO CHECK DURING A 20-MINUTE PHONE CALL WITH THE MECHANIC, BUT HIS ONLY SUGGESTION WAS THAT IT COULD BE MY TIRES (WHICH ARE STANDARD AND JUST 2 YEARS OLD). I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER MAKES OF CARS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, EVEN ON ICY, SNOWY, RAIN-DRENCHED ROADS.*AK

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

ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE - THE ABS OVER REACTS TO UNEVEN OR SLICK SURFACES AND FULLY ENGAGES REDUCING BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. THIS CAN BE CAUSED BY RIPPLED OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR A MANHOLE COVER AND CAN HAPPEN UNDER ANY BRAKING CONDITION FROM MODERATE TO HEAVY BRAKING. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN BRAKING IS TO LET OFF AND THEN REAPPLY THE BRAKES, THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT I'VE BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT ABS. THIS CONDITION EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A CRASH AND $7000 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE IN A BRAKING SITUATION WHERE I DON'T FEEL ABS ACTION WAS WARRANTED.*AK

COLD TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREES F. FUEL SMELL IN CABIN, AND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSES PASSENGERS TO BE NAUSEOUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, AND THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS. OCCURS EVERY WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40. *NM

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING THROUGH HVAC VENT FROM ENGINE BAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUN ON COLD DAYS (BELOW FREEZING). THIS SYMPTON HAS BEEN REPORTED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. AN INTERNET FORUM CONTAINING MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS TROUBLESOME AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SYMPTOM CAN BE SEEN AT: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=305748

I HAVE NOTICED RAW FUEL SMELL COMING IN FROM THE VENTILATION DUCTS WHEN THE HEATER IS ON DURING COLD WEATHER. THE SMELL WEAKENS WHEN DRIVEN BUT RETURNS WHEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS INCIDENT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NEAR FREEZING OR BELOW. I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A 2002 MODEL IN JULY OF 2001. THIS MAY BE A FUEL LEAK AND I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP BY SUBARU. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A WEAR AND TEAR SITUATION BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY MORE WRX OWNERS IN THE COUNTRY WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

FUEL LEAK IN SUBARU WRX IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS RELATED TO THE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF "FUEL SMELL". I ACTUALLY WITNESSED FUEL LEAKING LAST YEAR AND BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER TO BE FIXED. THEY TIGHTENED THE FITTINGS ON MY FUEL LINES AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. A YEAR LATER, WITH THE EXTREME COLD WEATHER WE ARE HAVING, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE SMELL IN THE CABIN DURING MORNING WARM UPS IS UNBEARABLE, I CANNOT TURN MY HEAT ON UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I AM BRINGING MY CAR TO BE FIXED UNDER THE APRIL SERVICE BULLETIN ON TUESDAY, BUT WISH TO FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT SUBARU MIGHT ISSUE A RECALL TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *CB

EVERY DAY MY 2002 SUBARU WRX HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. AT FIRST THIS EFFECT WAS ONLY APPARENT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR EVEN IN BAY AREA WEATHER OF 55 F AS LONG AS THE ENGINE IS COLD. THIS LASTS FOR 20 MINUTES OR SO AND MAKES ME DIZZY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION BOTH IN THE DANGER OF FUEL EXPLOSION AND ALSO THE POSIBILITY OF TOXIC EFFECTS TO THE PASSENGER. THIS IS ALSO A VIOLATION OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT. I WOULD URGENTLY RECOMMEND THAT A MANDATORY RECALL BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK OWNER STATED THAT HE WAS DIZZY BUT DIDN'T REQ MED ATTENTION

2002 SUBARU WRX ABS FAILURE. WHEN DECELLERATING ON BUMPY SURFACES, THE ABS ON MY 2002 WRX WILL ENGAGE, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE.N EXTREMELY SLICK SURFACES, LIKE SLUSH, THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE AND DISENGAGE THE BRAKES COMPLETELY, RESULTING IN NO STOPPING AT ALL. IN JANUARY OF 2003, MY CAR ROLLED THROUGH A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. THE WHEELS WERE NOT LOCKED OR SLIDING, THE ABS ENGAGED AND FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT I WAS ALREADY WELL INTO THE INTERSECTION.*AK

FUEL SMELL. A FUEL DELIVERY LINE CAME LOOSE UNDER COLD CONDITION (20F), RESULTING IN FUEL POURING ONTO THE HOT ENGINE BLOCK. THE FUEL DELIVERY LINE WAS UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *CB

FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR CABIN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENTS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPS REACH 30 DEGREES F OR LOWER. THE COLDER IT GETS THE STRONGER THE SMELL. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN JAN OF 2003 AND THEN AGAIN IN DEC OF 2003 AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM TO THIS DATE.

STRONG SMELL OF RAW GAS DURING ENGINE START-UP WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. *LA

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 ON THE 2002 SUBARU WRX REGARDING A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY A LEAK IN COLD WEATHER APPEARED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT TO BE 10 DEGREES OR LESS. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE CONTACT FOUND A FUEL LEAK WHICH DRIPPED ONCE A SECOND ON 1/24/07. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN TWO FUEL HOSES NEAR THE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50000.*AK

IN MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN, I SMELLED STRONG RAW FUEL(GASOLINE) SMELL AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR IN THE COLD MORNING (AFTER FIRST SNOW). SMELL WAS SO TERRIBLE THAT IT MADE ME DIZZY WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD, AND IT WAS EVEN WORSE SMELL UNDER THE HOOD. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF REPORTS OF RAW FUEL SMELL FOR 2002 SUBARU WRX MODEL, BUT SUBARU DIDN'T PUBLISH A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF ANYTHING SPARKS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I AM SURE IT WILL IGNITE THE GASOLINE FUME AND WILL CAUSE FIRE.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FUEL SMELL REPORTED IN THE SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM EVERY DAY THIS WINTER (DEC 2003-PRESENT) THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN 20 F OR BELOW. AFTER AT LEAST TWO PRIOR ATTEMPTS TO GET THE DEALER (GOLDSTEIN SUBARU OF CENTRAL AVE, ALBANY, NY) TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT LAST WEEK AND ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING THE HOSE CLAMPS. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS THE FUEL SMELL RETURNED THE DAY AFTER THEIR ATTEMPTED REPAIR. EACH TIME THIS CAR IS STARTED AND RUN IN COLD WEATHER (20F AND BELOW) A FUEL SMELL DEVELOPS UNDER THE HOOD AND IN THE CABIN, INDICATING THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT ACCOMODATED MY REQUEST TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM PER THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STATED IN THE TSB 09-36-03 AND AS AN ITEM COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM POSES A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK TO MY FAMILY AND ALL THOSE THAT SHARE THE ROAD WITH ME. I AM TROUBLED THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT TREATING THIS AS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH WOULD FACILITATE A RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A TURBOCHARGER WHICH CAN REACH HIGH SERVICE TEMPERATURES ALONG WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CREATING A POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCE. BELIEVE TSB 09-36-03 SHOULD BE REISSUED AS A RECALL.*AK

FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW, IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, THE CLUTCH SHUDDERS WHEN IT IS INITIALLY ENGAGED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CAR OFTEN SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE PROBLEM USUALLY GOES AWAY WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP, BUT RETURNS THE NEXT MORNING. I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT THIS IS GOOD FOR THE CLUTCH, AND IS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM (THEY HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN) BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH IF IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD.*AK

ANY TIME THE WEATHER IS COLD THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AND AROUND THE CAR.

I NOW HAVE AN EIGHT INCH CRACK RUNNING FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE CHIPS OR CRACKS THE DAY BEFORE AND THE CAR WAS GARAGED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS THREADS AT CLUBWRX.NET AND I-CLUB.COM PERTAINING TO THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S WRX WINDSHIELDS. DT

CONSUMER STATES, VEHICLE'S ABS IS INEFFECTIVE ON SLIPPERY AND GRAVEL SURFACES. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

CLUTCH SLIPPAGE: STRONG VIBRATION AND RUMBLING SOUND WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED (PEDAL RELEASED) IN FIRST GEAR WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 14,000 MILES. NO OBD CODE REPORTED FROM DEALER. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE DURING TEST DRIVE. HOWEVER, SEVERAL AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINES HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM ON THEIR LONG TERM TESTS. *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE: [I HAVE SUBMITTED ONE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, BUT I CANNOT FIND IT HERE. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED (AT LEAST 18 MONTHS AFTER IT WAS FIRST REPORTED) I WOULD LIKE TO POST MY COMPLAINT AGAIN.] ON TWO (2) SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE LOST ALMOST ALL BRAKING FORCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP ABRUPTLY ON SMOOTH, DRY_ PAVEMENT. IN BOTH INSTANCES I HIT THE BRAKES QUICK AND HARD, LET UP MOMENTARILY, THEN REAPPLIED. IN BOTH CASES IT WAS ON THE SECOND APPLICATION THAT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ALMOST COASTING FREELY. LUCKILY, IN BOTH INSTANCES I HAD AN ESCAPE ROUTE. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS ON NORTHBOUND GEORGIA AVE., APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE WEATHER WAS MILD, PAVEMENT CLEAR, DRY AND SMOOTH. SPEED UPON INITIAL BRAKE APPLICATION WAS APPROX. 45 MPH. (ANOTHER NORTHBOUND DRIVER PULLED IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT WARNING). TIRES WERE BRIDGESTONE RE730'S. BRAKES STOCK. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON NORTHBOUND I-270 AT EXIT 31. AGAIN, THE WEATHER WAS MILD AND THE PAVEMENT WAS SMOOTH AND DRY. SPEED UPON INITIAL BRAKE APPLICATION WAS APPROX. 65 MPH. (A DRIVER ENTERING I-270 ABRUPTLY MERGED ACROSS 3 LANES INTO LANE 1 DOING ALL OF ABOUT 25 MPH). TIRES WERE FIRESTONE SZ-50EP'S. BRAKES STOCK. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT I INSTALLED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS, HAWK HP-PLUS. NOT THAT I THOUGHT THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE ABS PROBLEM, I JUST WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STOCK PADS. DURING THE INSTALLATION I BLED THE BRAKES AND FOUND A LOT OF _AIR_ IN THE SYSTEM. BY A LOT, I DON'T MEAN LITTLE BUBBLES, I MEAN A 2-3 INCHES OF AIR IN THE CLEAR BLEEDER TUBE. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THE ABS DOES CONTINUE TO BE VERY SENSITIVE, ACTIVATING EVEN ON SLIGHTLY RIPPLED PAVEMENT WHEN BRAKING MODERATELY FROM 25-30 MPH. AT LEAST WHEN IT ACTIVATES, THE PEDAL STAYS FIRM AND THE BRAKING FORCE ONLY DECLINES SLIGHTLY. *NLM

I WAS DRIVING ALONG IN MY 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON ON SOME LOCAL ROADS AND I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP ON SOME ROUGH PAVEMENT , GIVING MYSELF PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP WHEN THE ABS KICKED IN AND THEN MY PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WASN'T STOPPING. IT FINALLY BOUNCED A FEW TIMES AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP- FAR BEYOND WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES AND I FEEL, AS OTHERS DO, THE ABS ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE IS SIMPLY AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN- AND MANY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUCH AS A RESULT. *JB

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).

ABS FAILED TO RESUME BRAKING AFTER BEING ACTIVATED BY BUMPS IN ROAD ON CLEAN, DRY ASPHALT.