Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#10406452June 8, 2011
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP THE VISOR FLIPPED DOWN FROM IT'S POSITION AGAINST THE ROOF TO A COMPLETELY VERTICAL POSITION BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. I AM ONLY 5 FOOT 7 INCHES, BUT WHEN THE VISOR IS COMPLETELY DOWN MY VISION IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. THE VISOR WOULD NO LONGER REMAIN UP AGAINST THE ROOF, NOR FULLY FORWARD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND REMOVE THE SCREWS HOLDING THE VISOR MOUNT TO THE ROOF. WHEN I DID THIS THE SHAFT THAT CONNECTS THE VISOR TO THE ROOF MOUNT CAME OUT OF THE VISOR. THE PLASTIC PORTION HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY INSIDE THE VISOR. THE FORCE HOLDING THE VISOR IN THE UP POSITION HAD BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WEAKER FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE IT FAILED COMPLETELY. SEARCHING THE WEB IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. WITHOUT A VISOR IT IS NOW DEFINITELY MORE HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE INTO THE SUN, I KEEP A BASEBALL CAP IN THE CAR FOR THESE SITUATIONS WHILE I ATTEMPT TO FIND AN INEXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT. MY DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $140 FOR A REPLACEMENT VISOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403795May 31, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON JAN 12 2011 MY 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STARTED TO HAVE A RAW FUEL SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN AREA WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE NO MATTER IF IT WAS IN A GARAGE OR OUTSIDE. ON FURTHER INSPECTION I COULD SEE RAW FUEL STREAMING OUT OF THE FUEL LINES ONTO A HOT ENGINE BLOCK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 02-03 SUBARU IMPREZAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT COVER ANY NEWER MODELS WITH THE SAME FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM PROBLEMS. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT IT BY THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY SOME TYPE RECALL BECAUSE OF FOUND DEFECTS IN JUST SLIGHTLY OLDER MODELS BUT THE SAME ENGINE CONFIGURATION AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401751May 13, 2011
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397203April 23, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396062April 16, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394484April 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR HAS AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITH BREAKING PISTON RINGLANDS, RESULTING IN COPIOUS OIL CONSUMPTION AND EVENTUALLY A SEIZED ENGINE WHICH, IF IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, CAN BE THE EQUIVALENT OF SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC. ENDANGERING SURROUNDING VEHICLES AND THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER IF THE OIL FILM ON THE ROADWAY AND THE WINDSHIELDS OF FOLLOWING CARS DIDN'T ALREADY CAUSE THEM PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393868March 31, 2011
STEERING, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HAS SEVERE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55MPH. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROAD FORCE BALANCED TWICE AND SOA TSB FOR STEERING COLUMN, STEERING WHEEL, CONTROL ARMS AND VARIOUS BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE CAR IS WORSE THAN EVER. VEHICLE ALSO "HUNTS" OR SHIMMYS ON DRY LEVEL HIGHWAYS CREATING AN UNSAFE OUT OF CONTROL FEELING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389794March 10, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK STARTED, AND WAS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE. TOOK CAR TO GET REPAIRED, WAS TOLD GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. UPON STARTING REPAIRS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HELI-COIL HAD BEEN OVER TORQUED SUPPOSEDLY DURING INSTALLATION AND DUE TO OVER TORQUING, HAD BECOME STRIPPED RESULTING IN A LOOSE BOLT AND OIL WAS ABLE TO LEAK OUT. THE FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK OUT AT A CATASTROPHIC RATE, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ENGINE FIRE AND/OR DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OLD COIL WAS TAKEN OUT, THREADS CAME OUT WITH IT (DEMONSTRATING OVER TORQUING), AND NEW COIL WAS INSTALLED. THREADS FROM COIL ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381348February 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380798February 4, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379954February 2, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STEERING, SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380531January 31, 2011
VISIBILITY
DRIVERS SUN VISOR ROTATES DOWN UNPREDICTABLY, BLOCKING VISION FOR AVERAGE OR TALL DRIVERS. A SMALL BUMP CAN TRIGGER THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378716January 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE RAW FUEL SMELL UPON START UP DURING COLD WEATHER. FUEL DRIPS FROM THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND/OR DRIPS FROM THE FUEL RAIL. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR SUBARU IMPREZA'S FOR YEARS BEYOND THE RECALL THAT WAS ENTERED FOR THE 02-03 MODELS. RESEARCH ON SEVERAL SUBARU FORUMS REFLECT IT IS STILL A VERY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM ON 04-05 YEAR WRX IMPREZAS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL FIRES AND ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE RAW FUEL DRIPPING ON THE HOT MOTOR BLOCK. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO ACTION BEING TAKEN BY SUBARU FOR THE LATER YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378050January 20, 2011
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS FROST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED A WHITE FILM DEVELOPED ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN USING THE HEATER. THE FROST SHOWED UP INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER AND THE WHITE FILM WAS NOTICED WHENEVER THE HEATER WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374842January 5, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2006 SUBARU STI DRIVING HOME 20 MPH OIL LIGHT FLICKERED THEN STAYED ON FOR 20 SECONDS ENGINE STARVED OF OIL, SHUT DOWN. HAD ENGINE REMOVED TO FIND OIL PICK UP TUBE THE WELD HAD FAILED CAUSING NO OIL TO MOTOR, NOW MOTOR IS JUNK. NOW I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS MADE A UP DATED TUBE,MY QUESTION IS WHY? A PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS NOW ITS 6,000 DOLLAR REPAIR, FOR A POOR WELD JOB ON A 20 DOLLAR PART. THE SALES ON THESE TUBES ARE NOT GOING TO REFLECT ON HOW MANY HAVE FAILED BECAUSE WHO CAN AFFORD 6,000 DOLLARS EVERY TIME IT FAILS. SO AFTER MARKET PICK UP TUBES ARE BE PURCHASED THAT ARE MADE TO LAST. I HAVE ALL OLD PARTS AND PHOTOS OF ALL OLD PARTS. I SEE TONS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SUBARU IS MAKING A KILLING, SELLING ENGINES. WE NEED SOME HELP HERE PLEASE ITS TIME. I PAID 20,000 FOR THIS CAR USED CAR LOT NOW I NEED TO FIND 6,000 MORE DOLLARS THIS IS NOT EASY FOR A 21 YEAR OLD MAN. PLEASE HELP. I JUST SCROLLED BACK YOU ASKED FOR COMPONENTS NAME ITS NOT LISTED SO I WENT WITH ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373831January 3, 2011
VISIBILITY
I AM GETTING FROST ON THE INSIDE OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER. BEGINNING ABOUT NOVEMBER, IT IS ALSO COVERED DAILY IN A FILM I CAN'T SEEM TO GET RID OF WITH MY HAND. IT KEEPS RETURNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372675December 28, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MH WHEN THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER TIGHTENED TWO HOSE FEEDER CLAMPS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL RAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371001December 17, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN ABS ISSUES. LIGHT SNOW/WET PAVEMENT COMING TO A STOP ANYWHERE FROM 5-25 MPHS THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS THE WHEELS CAUSING IT TO SLIDE. ABS PULSATES BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO LET GO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368314November 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365878November 15, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAK AT FLANGE JOINT OF FUEL PUMP/TANK ASSEMBLY OR NEARBY LOCATION ACCOMPANIED BY SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF FLANGE RETAINING BOLTS. LEAKED FUEL CAUSES ODOR TO ACCUMULATE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY WAY OF NEARBY AIR EXHAUST VENTS WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILES DRIVEN. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT IN TIMELY MANNER TO RESOLVE ISSUE DUE TO WORKLOAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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