Subaru WRX Complaints (2002)

427 consumer complaints on file.

#10068123April 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL IN 6 INCHES OF SNOW AT LESS THAN 5 MPH THE ABS KICKED IN AND I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I HAD NO BRAKES. THE CAR WAS IN DEEP SNOW AND WAS NOT SLIDING. AS I WAS APPROACHING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT AT 5 MPH I HAD TO STOP. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION ON THE CAR AND IT STOPPED INSTANTLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT IN DEEP SHOW GOING DOWN HILL I HAVE ZERO BRAKES. I'M FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES OR TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THIS IS AT SUB 5 MPH SPEEDS. THIS IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL ON SNOWY ROADS. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON A WINDY ROAD WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED QUICKLY FOR A RIGHT TURN. I HIT MY BRAKES AND HAD NOTHING. THE ABS ACTIVATED AND I WAS FORCED TO TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THIS WAS ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS FOLLOWING WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP. THE DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO LEARN TO DRIVE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10067666April 22, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
NO APPARENT OR KNOWN EVENTS OR CAUSES LEADING TO FAILURE. NO ROCK CHIPS OR DINGS AT ORIGIN SITE AT UPPER EDGE OF WINDSHIELD WHERE FAILURE BEGAN.*AK MY WINDSHIELD WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN LAST DRIVEN WITH NO VISIBLE BREAKS. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEGUN TO CRACK FROM TOP EDGE IN FROMT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND HAD EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHESS. AFTER PARKING THE CAR, I MARKED THE SPOT AT THE END OF THE CRACK. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK HAD EXTENDED ANOTHER 3 INCHES WITH NO DRIVING OR MOVEMENT INVOLVED. THE CRACK IS NOW APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET IN TOTAL LENGTH. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED DUE TO NO LOCAL DEALERS OR GLASS REPAIR SHOPS. HOWEVER, I AM CURRENTLY PLANNING A TRIP TO LUBBOCK (100 MILES ONE WAY) TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS WELL AS ANSWER A VEHICLE RECALL I RECENTLY RECEIVED. IF THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE KEPT AVAILABLE, I WILL NEED TO KNOW SOON SO I CAN NOTIFY MY DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068656April 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THERE IS A PUDDLE OF GAS THAT FORMS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. CONSUMER CAN SMELL GAS FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057829March 31, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE THE VEHICLE IDLES, FUEL LEAKS. AS A RESULT, A FOUL ODOR SEEPS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063753March 23, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
STRONG UNBURNED FUEL ODOR IN CABIN OF 2002 SUBARU WRX ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY LOOSE/MISSIZED FUEL LINES UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062190March 15, 2004
TIRES:SIDEWALL
I INSTALLED BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES ON MY WIFE'S SUBARU. AFTER LESS THAN 500 MILES THE SIDEWALL DELAMINATED, ALMOST COMPLETELY. PRESSURE WAS 32 LB AND THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. WHEN I CALLED TIRERACK, THE VENDOR, THEY AT FIRST CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRRANTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THEN CLAIMED THAT THE TIRE MUST HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RETURNED ALL FOUR TIRES AND CONSIDER THAT THIS TIRE PRESENTS A HAZARD TO SAFETY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061876March 10, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THERE IS A RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR DURING COLD (BELOW FREEZING) TEMPERATURES. THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING AND THE WINDOWS MUST BE ROLLED DOWN TO CLEAR OUT THE FUMES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060578March 6, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OVER ROUGH SURFACES (INCLUDING POTHOLES, RAILROAD TRACKS, AND RIPPLES IN THE ROAD ) MY ABS SEEMS TO KICK IN WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED AND CAUSES THE BREAK PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR ON OCCASIONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060172March 2, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ON COLD STARTUP IN SUBARU 2002 WRX. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060086March 1, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SMELL FUEL LEAK IN CABIN IN LOW TEMPS. WHEN CAR WARMS UP FUEL SMELL GOES AWAY. TEMPS AROUND 15F.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059916February 27, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059012February 26, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I GET A RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX IN COLD WEATHER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058994February 25, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053767February 24, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A FUEL LINE BREAKAGE CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *AK *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058450February 19, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
UNEXPLAINED CRACKED WINDSHIELD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058459February 19, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU WRX, SMELL GAS INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT, USUALLY WHEN COOL OUTSIDE. MECHANIC CHECKED OUT CAR DID NOT FIND LEAK AT 20K MILES. CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND GET WORSE. CONDUCTED A YAHOO SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT A COMMON OCCURANCE IS GAS LEAKS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE TURBO AIR INTAKE. SUBARU CANADA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DID NOT KNOW OF IT. I GAVE THE INFORMATION I FOUND ON THE INTERNET TO MY MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE LEAK $200 DOLLARS LATER. THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT APPEARS SOA IS NOT AWARE OF IT. THIS GAS LINE, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC IS HIGH PRESSURE, ~30 PSI AND A LEAK OR FAILLURE COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058235February 16, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE: SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2002. FUEL SMELL NOTICEABLE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER CABIN IN COLD WEATHER. SMELL MOST NOTICEABLE IN PASSENGER CABIN WHEN VENTS ARE OPEN TO OUTSIDE AIR AND HEATER/FAN IS ON. SMELL BECAME NOTICEABLE IN DECEMBER AND HAS PERSISTED. IT IS CURRENTLY FEBRUARY 16TH AS I FILE THIS REPORT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057126February 13, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE HAD INSTANCES WHERE MY ABS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN I HIT A IRREGULARITY IN THE ROAD SURFACE, OR WHEN I GO OVER A SPEEDBUMP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057131February 13, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VENTILATION SYSTEM. OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS -8F. OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED A VISIBLE VAPOR CLOUD OF GASOLINE. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AS I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER". (THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS MUST BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.) CAR WAS REPAIRED (AFTER A WAIT OF ONE WEEK) AT A COST OF $534.55 (CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY). REPAIRS INCLUDED "R&R INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED FUEL DELIVERY PIPE", USING PARTS "PIPE CP FUEL RETURN", "HOSE", "GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD". WEBSITE INVESTIGATING LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS INDEED A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058134February 13, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FILLS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH GAS VAPORS. HAPPENS WHEN COLD, -15 F. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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