Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#10177082December 27, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR STRUTS ON MY 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA HAVE BLOWN TREE TIMES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE IN JUNE 2005. SUBARU HAS CHANGED THE PN# TO AN UPDATED PART NUMBER BUT REFUSE TO REPLACE AGAIN STATING MY VEHICLE MILEAGE HAS SURPASSED THEIR WARRANTY LIMITATION. THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT WITH MANY DOCUMENTED CASES. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS ISSUED AN UPDATED PART TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. DEFECTIVE STRUTS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND OR DEATH. A STRUT SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE THREE TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR ON A BRAND NEW CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176263December 15, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR STRUTS (AND POSSIBLY FRONT) ARE MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE NOISE IS QUITE APPARENT AND WOULD NOT BE ITEMS INSIDE THE TRUNK AND/ OR CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175544December 8, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU A VERY RECURRING, AND VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM REGARDING THE SUBARU WRX IMPREZA. I CAME HOME TONIGHT TO A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY OF MY CAR. I PROCEEDED TO OPEN MY HOOD AND INVESTIGATE. WHAT I FOUND WAS ACTUAL FUEL LEAKING FROM A PART OF MY CAR! THIS FUEL CAN IGNITE AND EVEN EXPLODE IF IT WERE TO TOUCH SOMETHING HOT (TURBO CHARGER, CAT CONVERTER) WELL UPON GOING ONLINE, I LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP, AND IT SEEMS A LOT OF WRX IMPREZA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A PROBLEM NOTED SINCE 2002 AND SUBARU HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS! IN THE LINK I AM ABOUT TO PROVIDE TO YOU, IT WILL SHOW MANY CASES OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH SUBARU, IN SOME CASES WITH VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755 THAT WEBSITE IS JUST ONE WEBSITE REPRESENTING THE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I DO NOT SEE HOW SUBARU CANNOT CREATE A RECALL ON SOMETHING SO EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175586December 8, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BEGAN SMELLING ODOR OF RAW FUEL INSIDE OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. AFTER A SHORT RESEARCH I FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM DURING COLD WEATHER. CONTACTED A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175183December 5, 2006
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WAS DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION. IT IS LOCATED LOW DOWN AND UP FRONT AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM ROAD DEBRIS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174406November 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, MY 2002 SUBARU WRX DEVELOPS A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LEAK RATE IS ABOUT 1 DROP PER SECOND. VEHICLE HAS 64,000 MILES. I JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO A COLDER CLIMATE AREA. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174103November 22, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ITSELF OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT CODED CORRECTLY AND COULD NOT BE FIXED. UPDATED 1/19/2007 - THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. WHEN THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY FULL THE PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172818November 7, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN THE FIRST WINTER AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS WELL AS AROUND THE CAR. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD WINTER DAYS, HOWEVER DEALERSHIPS WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER AND SPRAY "DEODORANT" INTO THE VENTS TO HELP, BUT THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE PERSISTED ON COLD DAYS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE WANTED TO TURN THE HEAT ON. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS NOT ONLY NAUSEATING, BUT MOST LIKELY VERY HARMFUL TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. ON OCCASION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE HEAT ON AND CONSEQUENTLY WE NEED TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, IN THE COLD, WITH THE HEAT OFF. NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172667November 5, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I DRIVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN. WHEN I START THE CAR ON COLD MORNINGS AND TURN ON THE HEATER WITH THE AIR RECIRCULATION OFF, A DISTINCT SMELL OF GAS COMES THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS IS EVEN STRONGER AND MORE NOTICEABLE. MUCH LIKE OTHER WRX OWNERS, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRACE THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. GASOLINE IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BE CARCINOGENIC AMONG MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATE THINGS, AND THE PRESENCE OF GASOLINE IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ALONG WITH SPARKS AND HIGH HEAT SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE FOR OVER THREE YEARS NOW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169957October 4, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY CAR IS SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SPORT WAGON. I USED TO GAS MY CAR AT SHELL GAS STATION IN HIGHLAND PARK. A LOT OF TIMES I FOUND WATER IN MY CAR'S GAS TANK. I USE THE 93 OCTANE, BECAUSE MY CAR HAS TURBO. PLEASE CHECK THE 93 OCTANE GAS ON THE SHELL GAS STATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169578September 29, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ON BUMPY ROADS, THERE WAS A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME, WHO DETERMINED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TWICE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168246September 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
98 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME . AROUND A YEAR AFTER THAT,THE CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT I WORKED AT AND HAD THEM TEST THE CAR TO SEE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AGAIN. THEY DETERMINED THIS BY TESTING FOR ANY EMISSIONS IN THE COOLANT. THERE WAS ALSO A LARGE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR(OIL)AS WELL. SUBARU WOULD NOT WARRANTY THERE ORIGINAL WORK SO THE CAR SAT FOR A BIT BEFORE I COULD AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I SAVED UP SOME MONEY FOR THE REPAIR, I BROUGHT IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE THEM DO THE WORK ON IT. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET WITH THE WORK THEY DID BUT GOT THE CAR BACK WITH A FUNCTIONAL ENGINE. NOT MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPEN(OVERHEAT). AGAIN, I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY TO LIMIT ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME AND IT SAT FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE BAD CHOICE TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THIS TIME I SENT IT TO BOFFO AUTO REPAIR. THEY RECOMMENDED A NEW MOTOR BECAUSE THE LAST TIME THE "HEADS" HAD BEEN DONE, THEY MILLED THE HEADS SMOOTH AND NEW "HEADS" WERE NOT TO FAR OF THE PRICE OF A USED ENGINE. BOFFO FINALLY FOUND A USED ENGINE FOR MY CAR THAT APPARENTLY IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND. THE ENGINE HAD 32K ON IT AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN CHECKED OVER AS A SAFE,RELIABLE MOTOR. AFTER SPENDING OVER $4000 THIS TIME AROUND, I HAD A WORKING CAR AGAIN. THE CAR CAME BACK TO ME NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AGO. THE ENGINE OVER HEATED "AGAIN" THE OTHER DAY AND AGAIN I HAVE A HEAD GASKET LEAK(OIL INTO THE COOLANT). I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG ONE ON THE 98 VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THAT THEY ONLY MADE THAT MOTOR FOR THE MODEL YEAR 98 ONLY. WHY IS THIS? I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY A SUBARU EMPLOYEE BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I NEED YOUR HELP. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY THIS MORNING AND WILL HAVE HIM GET IN TOUCH WITH SUBARU. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166072August 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I BOUGHT MY SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI BRAND NEW, AND AFTER HAVING IT ABOUT 4 MONTHS A TRANSMISSION MOUNT CALLED THE PITCH ROD MOUNT BROKE IN HALF. THE MOUNT BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND RESULTED IN DAMAGING THE CLUTCH LINE. THE FLUID IN THE CLUTCH LINE WAS DRAINED AND THIS RESULTED IN MY GEARS SCRATCHING AND OVERALL RUINED MY TRANSMISSION. IN THE END I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNT, CLUTCH LINE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RE-BUILT. NOW I WAS NOT AWARE AT THE TIME THAT THE MOUNT WAS BROKEN SO TO MY SURPRISE THAT AFTER EVERYTHING WAS FIXED ($2,800 LATER) A WEEK LATER I HEARD A POP. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THAT IT COULD BE THE MOUNT AGAIN. SO I REACHED MY HAND SLOWLY BEHIND THE HOT INTERCOOLER COVERING THE ENTIRE TOP HALF OF THE ENGINE AND FELT THAT AGAIN THE PITCH ROD HAD BROKEN. THIS PITCH ROD NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND IS COSTING PEOPLE A FORTUNE!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166073August 21, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON THE SUBARU->IMPREZA->WRX->STI SIT WAY TOO LOW. I CANNOT SEE THE ENTIRE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. THE HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE RAISED UP SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THE ROAD BETTER. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN BE MOVED UP AND DOWN WITH A SWITCH ON THE STI AND EVEN WHEN SET AT THE HIGHEST SETTINGS THE HEADLIGHTS END ABOUT 20 FEET ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I ALMOST HIT A KID BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HIM IN THE DARK! MUST BE FIXED MATTER OF SAFETY AND EMERGENCY!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163633July 27, 2006
STEERING
STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR FAILED. CAUSES HORN, CRUISE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO STOP FUNCTIONING. PART IS POORLY DESIGNED, WIRES ARE HELD IN PLACE BY PAPER. THIS SUBSYSTEM IS UNSAFE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160795June 26, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. REPLACED REAR-RIGHT IN 2002, REAR LEFT FEB 2004, BOTH REAR JUN 2006. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160712June 25, 2006
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON 6/8/06 I DROVE MY BRAND-NEW SUBARU IMPREZA 2005 (UNDER 6000 MILES AND NOT A WRX) STATION WAGON DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND LEVEL; THE SURFACE WAS SMOOTH AND DRY. TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED BEFORE A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A NORMAL FASHION. I FELT THE MOST UNUSUAL SENSATION: THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN EVER SO SLIGHTLY - I GUESS ABOUT ONE HALF INCH AT THE MOST, AND THEN IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD HIT A BRICK, AS IF SOMEONE PLACED A SOLID OBJECT UNDER THE PEDAL. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND ENDED ALMOST LYING IN AN EXTENDED POSITION, PUSHING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD. THE CAR DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN. THERE WAS NO ABS ACTIVITY, NO PULSATING BRAKE ACTION OR ANYTHING LIKE IT. I WAS IN SHOCK AS I REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, STILL WAITING FOR THE LIGHT. THE IMPACT WAS SMALL, AND NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS INJURED, THANK GOD. MY SUBARU IS BEING FIXED AT THE TUNE OF $ 3500.00. THE OTHER CAR'S DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL AND ALL DAMAGE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A SUV WITH BIG SPARE ON THE BACK, EXTENDING ITS BUMPER. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR INSPECTION, ONCE IT IS FIXED. I MOST CERTAINLY PLAN TO DO THIS BUT SOMEHOW I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH HELP, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING OTHER SUBARU OWNER'S EXPERIENCE WITH PROBLEMS OF BRAKE FAILURE. I AM HOPING TO GET THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED, UNLESS THEY CAN REPLACE IT. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR, AND EVEN MORE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOME UNSUSPECTING SOUL. I WILL REGISTER THIS PROBLEMS WITH ALL POSSIBLE AGENCIES AND WAS COMFORTED TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR WEB-SITE. THANKS FOR BEING THERE. ANY ADVISE? *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160660June 24, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2005 WRX STI, AND THE PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING OFF!!! I STORE MY CAR PRIVATELY, IT ONLY HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE PAINT GETS CHIPPED OFF BY ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. I WAX THE CAR MONTHLY AND GET IT DETAILED QUARTERLY. WHAT KIND OF PAINT CHIPS THAT FAST? I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH SUBARUS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THANKS FOR THE 32,000 DOLLAR LEMON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160501June 12, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2004 IMPREZA ENGINE FAILED CAUSED BY A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158561May 30, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHEN A WOMAN FELL ASLEEP AND HIT ME HEAD ON. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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