2004 Subaru Impreza Wagon 4-DR.

The passenger side lower control arm failed due to corrosion. There was a previous recall to address this issue with an anti corrosion coating, but it did not prevent the control arm from corroding and failing. I had this addressed at the dealer, and they mentioned the issue was addressed. Recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL/GASOLINE SMELL COMING THRU THE AIR VENTS FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES UNDER 30-25 DEGREES FARENHEIT. I'VE CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE IS TWO FUEL HOSES THAT START LEAKING WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY WINTER SINCE I GOT MY CAR BACK IN 2016. I HAD THE CLAMPS ON THE HOSES RETIGHTENED BY A SUBARU DEALERSHIP BUT THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE 2002 AND 2003 WRX, BUT NOT ON THE LATER MODELS. THERE'S MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER YEARS OF WRX AND EVEN OTHER MODELS OF SUBARU. IT'S REALLY STRESSFUL AND ANNOYING HAVING THE STRONG SMELL OF FUEL COMING IN TO YOUR CAR. ALSO IT'S A FIRE HAZARD HAVING GASOLINE POOLING UP ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO SUBARU OF AMERICA BUT THEY ONLY TOOK CARE OF THE 2002 AND 2003 WRX MODELS. I'M HOPING THIS CAN SOMEHOW HELP OTHER SUBARU OWNERS GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AS IT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT COULD END UP GETTING WORST.

SIMILAR TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #WQK-47 THE HARD BRAKE LINE NEAR MY GAS TANK HAS CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL OF MY BRAKE FLUID. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TRAVELING FARTHER THAN NORMAL. WHEN I GOT HOME, THERE WAS ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY LEFT IN THE CAR, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CHECKED MASTER CYLINDER, IT WAS EMPTY, ADDED FLUID, PRESSED ON BRAKES, COULD HEAR THE FLUID LEAKING OUT. CHECKED AROUND CAR TO FIND FLUID. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SUBARU'S AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR NEWER WRX'S FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

I ARRIVED AT A GAS STATION WHERE I FILLED UP MY SUBARU IMPREZA RS 2.5L WITH 87 UNLEADED MID GRADE FUEL AND FROM THAT POINT ON STILL TILL TODAY MY VEHICLE HAS HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON AND I'M GOING 55 MPH OR HIGHER GASOLINE CAN BE SMELLED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHEN REFUELING THE GAS PUMP CONTINOUSLY STOPS AS IF THE FUEL CHAMBER IS FULL. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE FAILS TO TURN OVER OR STAGGERS WEAKLY TO START.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO LOCATED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MILLER SUBARU (3469 US-46, PARSIPANNY, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM ALL THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

DRIVER SIDE FUEL LINE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL RAIL UNDERNEATH THE TURBO INLET HOSE LEAKS GAS. THE SMELL IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE.

DURING COLD WEATHER A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL CAN BE DETECTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHILE BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS DURING COLDER WEATHER.

DURING THE PAST 8+ WINTERS, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. I'VE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT ONLY THE TWO PREVIOUS MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MY RESARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS WITH MANY SUBARU MODELS. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE THE AIR VENTS TO KEEP THE SMELL OUT IN PREVIOUS YEARS. TODAY, WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF MY HOOD WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE SINGLE NEGATIVE DIGITS.I BELIEVE THERE IS NOW ENOUGH FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO THE MANIFOLD THAT IT IS STARTING THE SMOKE.

IT RECENTLY BEEN COLD IN COLORADO AND NOW I HAVE THIS RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. FUEL LINE LEAKING COMING FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN TWO DIRECT FEED LINE TO THE INJECTOR.

UNDER COLD CONDITIONS (40F OR LESS) THE RUBBER FUEL RAILS WILL CONTRACT UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WILL SLOWLY LEAK GASOLINE CAUSING AN OVERWHELMING SMELL AND POSSIBILITY FOR A FIRE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND UNDER MOTION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE YEAR 2009 FOR THE 2002-2003 YEAR MODELS FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND A RECALL WAS ENACTED. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2004-2005 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME FUEL RAILS WERE USED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE FOR THE 3 WINTERS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR THAT THEY ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PICTURES I INCLUDED SHOW THE SCREW THAT CLAMPS THE RUBBER HOSES. THE GAS LEAKS AT THIS CONNECTING POINT BUT IT WAS HARD TO GET A PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL HOSES. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO BRING THIS UP WITH NHTSA. THANK YOU!

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END I SAW THAT THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAD CRACKED.

DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE PROPERLY PERFORMED A RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS I OWN A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR A SEVERE CORROSION ISSUE. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HADDAD SUBARU FOR THE RECALL SERVICE IN 2011 I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC (NOT DEALER MECHANIC) THAT THE SUSPENSION IS DANGEROUSLY CORRODED AND IT "DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THIS CAR." I HAD THIS OPINION CONFIRMED A SECOND MECHANIC. I RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH HADDAD SUBARU. THEY CONFIRM THE SUSPENSION IS DANGEROUSLY CORRODED, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM SUBARU I RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH SUBARU AMERICA AND THEY STATE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY BY HADAD SUBARU AND THEY HAVE NO FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I AM DUBIOUS THE RECALL REPAIR WAS CORRECTLY PERFORMED BY HADAD SUBARU IN 2011 AND THAT IS WHY THERE IS A PROBLEM NOW. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO I HAVE FIXED IT MYSELF FOR NEARLY $1,000

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO RUST.CAR WAS STARTING OUT JUST AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO A VERY SLOW SPEED.THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS TRAVELING AT A FASTER SPEED. CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE REPAIR WAS TO INSPECT AND SPRAY RUST PROOFING ON LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THIS WAS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE REPAIR AS IT FAILED ANYWAY. I HAVE A 2006 SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME RECALL AND IT WAS SPRAYED WITH RUST PROOFING. I EXPECT IT WILL FAIL ALSO IF SOMETHING MORE IS NOT DONE LIKE REPLACING THEM. SO FAR DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM.

SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR-53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323 CALLED THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT REPLACE. NO CALLED BACK WHAT OR WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V32300 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER DATED JULY 2015. HAVING RECEIVED NO UPDATE I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, DUTEAU SUBARU, IN LINCOLN, NE THIS FALL. THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PARTS. ON SUBARU'S WEBSITE TODAY I READ INSTRUCTIONS TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. CALLING THE DEALERSHIP I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THEY DID OFFER TO PUT MY NAME ON A WAITING LIST SHOULD PARTS ARRIVE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

IN TEMPATURES LESS THAN FREEZING, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS NOTICED WITHIN THE CABIN. FUEL LINES ARE NOT CRACKED IN ANY WAY, CLAMPS HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED, ALL MEASURES TAKEN UP TO REPLACING ALL FUEL LINES, WHICH IS NOT NEEDED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH PRIOR MODELS AS WELL.

PLEASE NOTE THAT RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2002 & 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2004. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN IN COLDER TEMPERATURES (BELOW 45 DEGREES), THE FUEL HOSE CONSTRICTS CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL OUT ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD & THE ENGINE TO HEAVILY SMOKE. DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SMOKE BUT THERE IS STILL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL HOSES ARE INTACT WITH NO CRACKS OR BREAKS OF ANY KIND. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2004 MODEL CONSUMER'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF ONE OF THE FORUM'S FOR YOUR REFERENCE. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA REGARDING THIS, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD MY CLAIM IS NOT VALID BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HASN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HADN'T LIVED IN COLDER TEMPERATURES UNTIL WE BOUGHT IT. STILL NO HELP. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE AND POSES A HUGE SAFETY RISK. PLEASE HELP!

STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING THAT DOES NOT DISIPATE. 2002-2003 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME DESIGN FLAW IN FUEL LINE. SINCE I OWN A 2004, REPAIR MAY COST UPWARDS OF $400 DUE TO EXTENSIVE LABOR INVOLVED. FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE WHEN RESEARCHING SITUATION ONLINE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

IN COLD WEATHER <30 DEGREES F, GASOLINE LEAKS FROM THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM WHERE THE RUBBER FUEL LINE IS CONNECTED TO THE METAL FUEL LINE ON UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. LOOKS TO BE A LOOSE HOSE CLAMP. THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THIS LINE TO FACILITATE TIGHTENING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WAS BENDING TO THE POINT OF DETACHMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,300.

I HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL ON THE 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. I HAVE CONTACTED THE AUTHORIZED SUBARU RECALL VENDOR, WALSAR SUBARU. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN A KIT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING OUR 2004 SUBARU WRX IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER. THE FUEL FUMES FILL THE CABIN AND CREATE A FIRE HAZARD UNDER THE HOOD.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A CRASH, BUT I AM WORRIED IT MAY DEPLOY OR FAIL TO DEPLOY.

MY 2004 IMPREZA WRX STI LEAKS GASOLINE OUT OF A FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ABOUT 30 F. THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE METAL FUEL LINES ISN'T LONG ENOUGH AND AT THAT TEMPERATURE THE SHRINKAGE IS ENOUGH TO MAKE IT VISIBLY DRIP GASOLINE WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE HOSE LOCATION REQUIRES REMOVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO GAIN ACCESS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY SUBARU OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SUBARU DID A RECALL FOR 2000-2002 VEHICLES, BUT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS MANY OTHER YEARS OF IMPREZA WITH THE EXACT SAME FUEL RAIL SETUP. *TR

THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF UNBURNED FUEL IN THE CABIN ON COLD DAYS (BELOW 10F). THE FUEL SMELL DISSIPATES WHEN THE CAR WARMS-UP. THE SMELL HAS CAUSED PASSENGERS IN THE CAR TO BECOME SICK AND IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION TO DRIVING. WHEN I CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS, THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS ISSUE AND BOTH WANTED TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART. HOWEVER, A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

WHILE UNDER FREEZING TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE CAR SMELLS STRONGLY OF FUEL WHILE RUNNING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES HALF AN HOUR OR MORE TO JUST WHAT I CONSIDER BREATHABLE AIR IN THE CABIN. IT WAS -20 DEGREES OUTSIDE SO OPENING WINDOWS IS NOT AN OPTION AND DRIVING IN GAS FUMES IS NOT SAFE. *TR

I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY CAR IS BEING RECALLED UNDER SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQL-48 (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 14V-399), FOR A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG INFLATORS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS TO TRY AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO BRING MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS IN STOCK. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE RECEIVING ANOTHER LETTER ONCE THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE MANUFACTURER HAS A CERTAIN TIME WINDOW TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER ONCE THE RECALL IS ANNOUNCED; HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT IN THIS CASE, THE NOTIFICATION IS USELESS, SINCE I'M UNABLE TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ALONG A SMOOTH, STRAIGHT STRETCH OF US-12 THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AT THE HANGER BRACKET. SEE HTTP://I62.TINYPIC.COM/2AJQ7EX.JPG. CONTROL ARM HAD BEEN "RUSTPROOFED" AS PART OF THE 2011 RECALL. AT ONE POINT ALONG THE BREAK THE METAL MEASURES LESS THAN 4 HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH (0.0355") - SEE HTTP://I62.TINYPIC.COM/2Q3QA1T.JPG. THE SWAY BAR LINK ALSO BROKE. *TR

DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM BECAME DETACHED FROM FRONT DRIVER DOOR. DOOR PARTIALLY OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE THE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT INITIATION, IT COULD NO LONG BE CLOSED. UPON INSPECTING THE LATCH MECHANISM ATTACHMENT TO THE DOOR FRAME, TWO OF THE THREE CONNECTION BOLTS (PHILLIPS HEAD) WERE COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE THIRD REMAINING BOLT WAS HANGING BY A SINGLE THREAD. THIS WAS AN OEM FACTORY ATTACHMENT THAT HAD NEVER BEEN MODIFIED OR REMOVED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON I190 IN WORCHESTER MA MERGING INTO I290 WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE SUBARU DEALER'S THE CONTROL ARM AND SUB FRAME WERE FOUND TO BE RUSTED CLEAR THROUGH. THERE WAS A FACTORY RECALL ISSUED IN 2011, WHICH WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY SUBARU ONLY SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. *JS

AT TEMPERATURES OF 20 DEGREES F OR BELOW, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. TIGHTENING UP THE FUEL HOSES/CLAMPS WORKS FOR A DAY OR TWO HOWEVER THE SMELL ALWAYS COMES BACK. THE SMELL WILL GO AWAY AFTER 30 MINUTES TO 60 MINUTES OF WARMING UP OR DRIVING. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP IN COLD WEATHER. THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FILLS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. WE JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JULY. *TR

THERE WAS OBSERVED RUST ON A SMALL SECTION OF THE REAR QUARTER UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. WORK WAS BEGUN ON JULY, 4 2013 TO TREAT WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE SURFACE RUST WITH POR-15 RUST INHIBITOR. WHEN THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT AND WORK BEGAN, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THIS SMALL SECTION ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS INADEQUACY PROTECTED BY FACTORY UNDERCOATING. THIS SECTION WAS WHERE SUPPORT ARMS FOR BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEELS ATTACH TO THE CHASSIS. THIS SECTION IS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE AND CRACKING. THE CHASSIS ATTACHMENT POINT FRONT BRACES FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS FULLY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS AREA OF THE CHASSIS SHOWS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE, OR ABUSE WHICH WOULD LEAD TO RUSTING. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS EITHER RUST FREE, OR SHOWS LIMITED SURFACE RUST. THE BODY PANELS OF THE CAR ARE RUST FREE. IN SHORT, LACK OF PROPER RUST TREATMENT OF KEY STRUCTURAL AREAS OF THE CAR, HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH HAS RENDERED THE CAR UNSAFE IN MY (THE OWNER'S) OPINION, AS WELL AS THE OPINION OF THE MECHANIC ASSISTING IN THE INSPECTION. I WELCOME ANY INSPECTIONS BY SUBARU OF AMERICA OR THE NHTSA. *TR

AS WITH THE PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE, I AM EXPERIENCING THE FUEL LEAK UNDER MY INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM THE RUBBER FUEL LINES IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED FIRE BUT THE DANGER IS PRESENT AS THE LEAK IS NEAR THE TURBO INLET AND EXHAUST. THE 2002-03 IMPREZAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

IN COLD TEMPERATURES, MOST OFTEN DURING COLD STARTS, THE VEHICLE'S CABIN FILLS WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 15 TO 30 MINUTES FOR ODOR TO GO AWAY. DURING THAT TIME AT STOP SIGNS, STOP LIGHTS, ETC THE SMELL OF GASOLINE PERSISTS. *TR

UPON COLD STARTING THE CAR THERE IS A PROMINENT RAW FUEL SMELL. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE ARE SUB-FREEZING. THE LOWER THE TEMPERATURE THE WORSE THE FUEL SMELL BECOMES. AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP THE FUEL SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM SUBARU HAD WITH IT'S 02-03 IMPREZAS, WHICH THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE FUEL LINES, WHICH WERE TOO SHORT AND IN THE COLD WOULD SHRINK FURTHER CAUSING A LEAK UNTIL THE CAR WARMED UP. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE SUBARU OF AMERICA DENIES THE ISSUE EXISTS AND IS CHARGING AROUND $400 AT THE DEALERSHIP TO SWAP OUT THE FUEL LINES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VENTS INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE CLAMP GOING TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RAIL FOR THE INJECTORS WAS LOOSE AND LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT TIGHTENED THE CLAMP AND PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,068.

UPON STARTING THE CAR DURING THE COLDER WINTER MONTHS, A RAW FUEL SMELL WILL BEGIN TO FILL THE CABIN IF THE HVAC SYSTEM IS TURNED ON TO VENT FRESH AIR. THIS SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE LIGHTHEADEDNESS AND THE SENSATION OF NAUSEA. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FUEL UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN VISIBLY SEE A PUDDLE OF FUEL BOILING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO HARD METAL FUEL LINES RUNNING TO THE FUEL INJECTORS CONNECTED BY A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE WITH CLAMPS. HOWEVER THIS HOSE FROM THE FACTORY IS CUT TOO SHORT, SO WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD ENOUGH THE RUBBER LOOSES ITS ELASTIC PROPERTIES AND AS THE METAL LINES VIBRATE / MOVE WITH THE MOTOR, IT LEAKS FUEL OUT OF THE RUBBER HOSE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU IN THE TSB #09-36-03. THEY OFFER TO REPLACE THE RUBBER HOSE AND HARD METAL FUEL LINE FOR MODEL YEARS 2002 AND 2003 IMPREZA WRX'S FREE OF CHARGE. HAVING BEEN AN OWNER OF A 2002 IMPREZA WRX BEFORE PURCHASING MY 2004 IMPREZA WRX, I HAD THIS SERVICE PERFORMED AT MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP. I AM DISGUSTED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS COVERAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE MODEL YEAR 2004 IMPREZA WRX, WHEN IT FEATURES AN IDENTICAL MOTOR AND DRIVETRAIN TO THE PREVIOUS YEARS (2002, 2003.) THIS MEANS THAT THE FUELING SYSTEM IS IDENTICAL AS WELL, AND THAT THE PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED RAW FUEL LEAK IS HAPPENING IN MY CAR AS WELL. THE FACT THAT THE 2004 IMPREZA WRX HAS THE SAME MOTOR. AND SAME FUEL SYSTEM, AND SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL OPENLY DENY COVERAGE TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED IS TRULY DISGUSTING IN ITSELF. RAW FUEL LEAKING ON TOP OF A HOT ENGINE BLOCK, AROUND SOURCES OF IGNITION IS THE MOST EXTREME OF SAFETY HAZARDS, AND NOW I OWN A VEHICLE IN WHICH I CANNOT TRANSPORT MY WIFE AND CHILD. I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU FOR TURNING A COLD SHOULDER TO THIS. *TR

METAL CONNECTOR (THAT IS UNDER THE CAR CHASSIS) JOINING THE BRAKE PIPES (LINES) FOR THE REAR BRAKES RUSTED THROUGH. WITH THE RUSTED CONNECTOR, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED THROUGH THE HOLES RESULTING TO BRAKES NOT TO ENGAGE AND STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STEPPED ON. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BOTTOMED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WHEN IT IS STEPPED ON. FAILURE OF THE BRAKE CONNECTOR ALMOST RESULTED INTO THE REAR ENDING OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. PICTURE OF THE RUSTED CONNECTOR IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *JS

REGARDING NHTSA RECALL NO. 11V-464, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION, I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REQUIRED APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY VEHICLES TO BE INSPECTED AT THIS TIME FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO MADE, AND THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE A TELEPHONE CALL AT AN UNSPECIFIED TIME IN THE FUTURE WHICH WOULD THEN PERMIT US TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. SINCE THE DEFECT, IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS OF THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE. WHAT IS THE POINT OF ISSUING RECALL NOTICES AND A PROCEDURE IN WHICH VEHICLES ARE TO BE INSPECTED WHEN THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE? *TR

STARTED AS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH IDLE WHILE IN PARK (AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS TURNED ON). AFTER A FEW HOURS OF RUNNING IT (DRIVING 48 MI TO WORK AND ERRANDS), I WOULD PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE & AS SOON AS I WOULD REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE (ALREADY HAVING A HIGH IDLE) IT WOULD ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN TO 15-20 MPH. WHEN I WOULD BRAKE AND BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP, IT WOULD "JUMP" SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRAKE. FINALLY I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY. AS I TOOK THE CAR OFF OF CRUISE CONTROL (AT 65 MPH) BY TURNING IT OFF AT THE CC CONTROLS ON THE WHEEL (MY FEET NOT NEAR THE PEDALS) IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT I PARKED THE CAR & CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AT ABOUT 50-55MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IN 5TH GEAR. WHEN I CAME TO A STEEP HILL THE CRUISE CONTROL OPENED THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED, WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO BOG DOWN I DECIDED TO SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN, THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF BUT THE ENGINE REVVED TO 7000RPM AND STAYED THERE. I LET THE CLUTCH OUT TO PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM BEING DAMAGED AND USED MY BRAKED TO KEEP THE CAR AT ABOUT 55MPH UNTIL I CAME TO A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD THEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION UNTIL THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS WAS AT NIGHT SO WHEN THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF TOO. FORTUNATELY THE ROAD WAS LIT UP ENOUGH TO SEE AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED OUT AND UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER NOTICED A SILVER CLIP STUCK IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. HE REMOVED THE CLIP AND THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE CLIP THAT WAS STUCK IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS PART OF A SERVICE BULLETIN/RECALL THAT SUBARU HAD PERFORMED ON MY 2004 IMPREZA WRX. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK AND POSSIBLE BECOMING WEDGED IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE STUCK SOMEWHERE IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CLIP THAT WAS TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION ACTUALLY BECAME THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME THE ONE TIME ON 5/15/2010. WHEN I GOT BACK HOME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO CONCERNED. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE CLIP SINCE THEY HAD DONE IT UNDER WARRANTY BACK IN 2005. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS. NOT A REAL BIG DEAL TO ME SINCE THE CLIP WAS ONLY $1.67. THE REAL PROBLEM I HAD WAS THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL FIX BECAME THE PROBLEM THAT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT. I STILL HAVE THE OLD CLIP THAT POPPED OFF AND BECAME WEDGED IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS IS THE RECALL INFO I FOUND. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V128000. *TR

1.AT ABOUT 12000 MILES,THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS,BRAKING OR ACCELERATING IS MORE EVIDENT AT LOW SPEEDS BUT IS STILL PRESENT AT HIGHER VELOCITIES. 2.THE FAILURE IS CURRENTLY STILL EXISTENT,THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 1/4 IN LOOSE PLAY BEFORE THE REAR STRUT BINDS. THIS AFFECTS HANDLING OF VEHICLE DURING TURNS OR EMERGENCY MANEUVERS AS THE SUSPENSION IS NOT WELL CONTROLLED BY STRUT BINDING. WHEN COMING TO A STOP,ONE CAN FEEL THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF VEHICLE SETTLE AND HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND. THIS ISSUE TWICE SENT THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT ON BUMPY ROADS AND FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AT GREAT LENGTH IN VARIOUS SUBARU IMPREZA STI FORUMS AND IS REFERRED TO AS THE"REAR STRUT CLUNK" AND IT CAN AFFECTS BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA STI ARE INVOLVED IN THIS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MY 2006 AND 2007 ARE AS WELL BUT I HAVEN'T CHECKED. 3.THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT A FEW TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE STILL ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE (RIGHT REAR). I CHANGED THE TIRE, USING THE "DONUT" IN THE CAR. I DROVE ANOTHER 25 MILES NO FASTER THAN 40 MPH, AND US. SLOWER. THEN A DRIVER BEHIND ME FLASHED HER LIGHTS SIGNALING ME TO STOP. I STOPPED AND LEARNED MY CAR WAS BURNING UNDERNEATH, NEAR THE BACK. WHEN I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT, I FOUND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BADLY DAMAGED. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, PERSONS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AWD WHEN DRIVING ON THE "DONUT." OTHERWISE, DAMAGE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL IS LIKELY. HOWEVER, NO SUCH SWITCH EXISTS FOR CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH I HAVE. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS, NOT GOING MORE THAN 50 MPH OR MORE THAN 50 MILES ON THE DONUT. BUT I DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ANYWAY, AND THE FIRE (WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL SETTING THE UNDERCOATING ON FIRE) COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. *TR

FUEL LEAKING FROM HOSES UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING POOLING OF FUEL ON TOP OF THE MOTOR. *TR

2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW SAFE STOPPING ON SNOW/SLEET/ICE. ABS SYSTEM WILL OCCASIONALLY KICK IN WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS/POTHOLES WHILE STOPPING AND CAUSE THE PEDAL TO GO LIMP REQUIRING YOU TO RELEASE BRAKING PRESSURE AND REENGAGE THE BRAKE TO STOP. I'M READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS IS TO KEEP AN EXCESSIVELY LONG DISTANCE BEHIND CARS DURING SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS AND PRAY NO ONE CUTS IN FRONTS OF YOU WHILE BREAKING OR YOU WILL HIT THEM. *TR

TODAY'S DATE IS DECEMBER 06, 2008. I STARTED TO SMELL A FOUL GAS SMELL INSIDE MY CABIN A FEW DAYS AGO. THE SMELL HAS OCCURRED SINCE THEN. WHAT SEEMS TO TRIGGER THE SMELL OF GAS IS THE COLD START UPS IN TEMPERATURE DEGREES OF LOW 20'S AND BELOW. THE SMELL IS EXTREME. IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE SITTING DRIVING ALMOST UNBEARABLE, MY PASSENGERS, ALONG WITH ME GET HEADACHES. I AM FORCED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN FREEZING WEATHER TO ALLOW THE GAS SMELL TO EXIT. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER OPENING WINDOWS AND/OR 10 OR MORE MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION. I HAVE ONLY SEARCHED FOR HELP FROM THE NASIOC ONLINE COMMUNITY. IT IS A COMMUNITY OF THOUSANDS OF SUBARU OWNERS WHO AS WELL HAVE REPORTED HUNDRED OF CASES OF THE SAME GAS SMELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHEN THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE TREES BEHIND HIS HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 12-15-08 *BF UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN ROAD IN BOSTON WHEN MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AS A RESULT I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A SNOW BANK. WHEN I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. WHEN THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AFTERMARKET PARTS THAT ARE NOT D.O.T. LEGAL AND NO C.A.R.B. ID'S. ALL OF THESE MODIFICATIONS WERE INSTALLED PRIOR OF ME BUYING THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A WARRENTY. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A SMELL OF GAS AND A HUGE LOSS OF OIL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED BUT WAS TOLD THAT IS HOW A SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI RUNS. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP GOT A EMMISIONS STICKER FOR THIS CAR WHEN IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS WITH ALL OF THE AFTERARKET PARTS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVENT. *TR

THE WINDSHIELD OF MY SUBARU IMPREZA TS CRACKED THE WHOLE LENGTH. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CRACKED. IT WAS COLD OUT AND I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BEFORE. AFTER THE CRACK I LOOKED CLOSER AND NOTICED A LOT OF BUBBLES IN THE GLASS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT A LOT OF SUBARUS AROUND THE SAME YEAR HAVE BEEN CRACKED. I HAVE ASKED A COUPLE OF THE OWNERS AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM. THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. *TR

MY 2004 SUBARU WRX STI HAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN MODERATELY COOL TEMPERATURES. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN ODI RESUME PE 04-002. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AND STOPS QUICKLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT OCCURS IN MODERATE TEMPS. BELOW 50F AND LASTS FOR 20 TO THIRTY MINUTES. I TAKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING AND COULD RESULT IN IGNITION OF THE LEAKING FUEL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN SEVERAL MODELS OF SUBARU ACCORDING TO MY INTERNET RESEARCH. THE MANUFACTURER HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #09-36-03 THAT DESCRIBES HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE COST WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL. *TR

I OWN A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON WRX WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SOMEONE IN NM AND I LIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. IT HAD NO ISSUES IN THE SUMMER AND FALL BUT IN THE WINTER I HAD A FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WITH HEATER RUNNING DURING A COLD DAY ~15 DEGREES F OR BELOW. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE BUT IT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING, EVENING OR WHEN ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN AND IT IS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE (LESS THAN 20 DEGREES F). I CALLED A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND THEY SAID AROUND $500.00 TO FIX ISSUE. SEEMS THE RUBBER HOSES ON THE FUEL RAILS CONTRACT WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUTSIDE. I HAVE SEEN ON THE WEB THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN 2002 WRXS AS WELL. I CAN'T BELIEVE SUBARU HAS NOT DONE A RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS ISSUE! THE FUEL SMELL GIVES ME A HEADACHE AND POLLUTES THE ENVIRONMENT. I WOULD TRY TO FIX MYSELF BUT GETTING TO THE FUEL RAILS REQUIRES EXTENSIVE TOP SIDE ENGINE TEAR DOWN.*JB

FUEL ODOR IN VEHICLE CABIN WHEN STARTING IN COOL/COLD TEMPERATURES. *JB

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

2004 IMPREZA ENGINE FAILED CAUSED BY A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. *TS *JB

HELLO, I'VE BEEN HAVING EXTREME PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. IT'LL KICK IN AT UNNEEDED TIMES, WHERE I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS CAN BE A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IN THE WINTER, I HAVE TO PULL THE ABS FUSE, WHICH BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ACTUALLY HELPS MY BRAKING DISTANCE. IF I LEAVE THE ABS ENABLED AND HIT A PATCH OF ICE, I'LL LOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AND CONTINUE TO GLIDE. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND ONE THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT TO BOTH SUBARU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION. SUBARU ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM FOR MODELS 2003 AND UNDER, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE FOR THE 2004 MODEL AS WELL. SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX MY PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, PAUL AHERN. *NM

2004 WRX SEDAN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *TS THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL CONTUSIONS AND MEMORY LOSS. *NM

2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX'S AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TS MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *NM

2004 SUBARU IMPREZA AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TS THE CONSUMERS SON RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER) *JB

DURING COLD WEATHER MY 2004 SUBARU WRX SMELLS OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. USING THE HEAT CAUSES THE ODOR TO INCREASE AND TURNING OFF THE HEAT TO DISSIPATE THE ODOR CAUSES ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP AND/OR ICE-OVER. THE FUMES HAVE CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER AND HAVE ALSO GIVEN ME HEADACHES. *JB

ON JULY 4, 2005, I GOT A GRINDING SOUND WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A LIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME MISSING THE SHIFT. SEVERAL DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I STARTED TO DELAY MY SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS SAME SCENARIO STARTED REPEATING ITSELF SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THEN THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED WHILE TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER. I TOLD THEM THAT I THOUGHT THE SYNCHRONIZERS WERE BAD IN 2ND AND 4TH GEARS. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER CALLED AND TOLD ME THE SYNCHRONIZERS WERE BAD, AS WELL AS THE 2ND AND 4TH GEAR SETS, AND THE COST WOULD BE $2,900.00 TO REPAIR IT. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "DRIVER ABUSE", AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. TWO DAYS LATER, SUBARU SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH NO CHARGE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, BUT NOT AS AN ITEM COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY DID THE REPAIR. I HAVE FOUND THAT MY SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE IN THE 2002 THRU 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND STI . SUBARU DEALERS ARE DENYING WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR THESE TWO SUBARU MODELS, CLAIMING "DRIVER ABUSE". THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. MY THEORY IS THAT WHEN TURNING THE CARS AND SHIFTING, THERE IS TWISTING IN THE DRIVETRAIN THAT IS BRINGING THE SYNCHRONIZERS IN CONTACT WITH THE TRANSMISSION CASE CAUSING THE INITIAL DAMAGE. THE SENSOR'S WILL THEN NOT ALIGN THE GEARS PROPERLY AND THEN THE GRINDING STARTS. THE MORE THE CAR IS DRIVEN, THE MORE THE SENSOR'S ARE DAMAGED, AND, THUS, THE MORE THE GEARS GRIND. THE POINT IS THAT ALL SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DAMAGED SENSORS, DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. SUBARU NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS PUT REDESIGNED, STRONGER SYNCHRONIZERS IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS OF THEIR 2006 WRX AND WRX STI MODELS. *JB

2004 IMPREZA STI - REPEATED MOMENTARY FUEL CUT OUT DURING LEFT TURNS. NEVER DURING RIGHT TURNS; LEFT TURNS ONLY. LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEED. AT ALL FUEL LEVELS. WILL HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY, THEN GO AWAY FOR 3 WEEKS BEFORE OCCURING AGAIN. OCCURS FREQUENTLY DURING LEFT TURNS AND U-TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS. CAR HESITATES FOR A MOMENT AS IF FUEL TO ENGINE WAS MOMENTARILY CUT. ENGINE DOES NOT STALL HOWEVER AND COMES BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE MOMENTARY HESITATION. HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE ISSUE WITH BOTH MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALER AND CORPORATE SUBARU OF AMERICA SERVICE REP. NEITHER WERE ABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM AND SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. CONTINUED FUEL CUT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING CAR TO HESITATE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM AFRAID TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. MY CAR HAS NO MODIFICATIONS AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF IDENTICAL CAR ALSO REPORTING EXACT SAME ISSUES. I WILL HAVE THEM JOIN ME IN THIS COMPLAINT PROCESS TO NHTSA.

2004 IMPREZA STI - REAR CLUNKING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION. OCCASIONAL STRUT LOCKUP IN COMPRESSED POSITION. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES BEFORE REALIZING IT WAS A FAULTY REAR STRUT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE AS MY DEALER PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE STRUT ISSUE WENT AWAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS MODEL TO CHECK FOR THIS STRUT PROBLEM. NOT ONLY DOES THE STRUT MAKE NOISE WHEN COMPRESSING, BUT IT SOMETIMES LOCKS IN THE COMPRESSED POSTION, CHANGING THE HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE DYNAMICS OF THE CAR IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY LIFETHREATENING WAY. BY REPLACING THE STRUT, THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF INSTANCES OF THE SAME STRUT FAILURE ON THESE CARS, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE NUMBER OF SAME COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA HERE AT THIS WEBSITE, ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME SUBARU OF AMERICAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND THE THROTTLE STUCK. HE USED THE FOOT PEDAL BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID SLOW IT DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE RPMS REGISTERED UP TO 8000. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER IT SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT MADE THE THROTTLE STICK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX - DURING BRAKING, IF A BUMP OR ROUGH PIECE OF ROAD IS ENCOUNTERED, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES LIMP, DROPS TO THE FLOOR, AND BRAKES CEASE TO FUNCTION UNTIL PEDAL IS RELEASED AND BRAKES REAPPLIED. RE-APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES RESUME FULL FUNCTIONALITY. *JB

SUBARU WRX STI HAS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUTS FAILING IN THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE HAD MY REAR STRUTS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES AND THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN AND MY CAR IS NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT CAN BE SAFE DRIVING AROUND WITH BROKEN STRUTS. *JB

REAR STRUTS STICK AND WILL NOT REBOUND AFTER A COMPRESSION STROKE. CAUSES REAR TO SAG AND HANDLING FEELS VERY LOOSE. VERY NOISY. SUBARU OF AMERICA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS EITHER A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE FLAW, AND DOES NOTHING TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE ARE HUNDRED IF NOT THOUSAND OF DOCUMENTED CASED ON THE INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THREE REAR STRUTS REPLACED, SO FAR...AND ONCE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, REPAIR COSTS ARE $500 PER STRUT LABOR INCLUDED TO REPLACE.

THE REAR STRUT OF MY 2004 WRX STI CLUNKS ALL THE TIME. ANY RANGE OF SPEED ALL THE WAY UP TO 50-60. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE STI'S OVER AS LITTLE AS 5,000 MILES. SUBARU HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!!*AK

FOR SOME TIME BOTH REAR STRUTS IN MY CAR HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WILL NOW GET STUCK IN A CERTAIN POSITION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS IT MAKES THE CAR WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE PARTICULAR CARS. THEY HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT.

WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD SLIP, THE SENSOR SENT POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SC

SOLO CAR SPIN OUT....HIT A BRICK WALL NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN THE FRONT END CRASH. RECIEVED TWO HEAD WOUNDS/KNEE INJURY/MEMORY LOSS. OTHING DONE TO CORRECT DAMAGE OR SITUATION. *AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 WRX SUBARU IMPREZA SPORTSWAGON ON 03-12-04. THE CAR CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA RE92, P205/55R16-89V TIRES. AT A LITTLE OVER 16,000 MILES THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE SHIFTED BELTS AND ONE HAS DRY ROT.*AK

WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK FROM BOTTOM (BELOW THE WIPERS) AND TRAVLLED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN EVER USED FAN TO DEFOG THE WINDSHIELD. TALKED TO DEALER BUT REFUSED WARRENTY COVERAGE, STATING IMPACT BELOW THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS. I CANNOT SEE THE SO CALLED IMPACT BUT I HAVE TO FIX THE WINDSHEILD. THIS IS A THERMAL VARIENCE CRACK. VERY WEAK GLASS, CRACK HAS TRAVELLED ALL ACROSS WINDSHEILD BUT I AM STUCK WITH THE COST.

UNABLE OR DIFFICULT TO PLACE CAR IN GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. FIRST TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED IN ROADWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND LEFT ME STRANDED ROADSIDE. SECOND TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE EXITING FREEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY PUT CAR IN GEAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. ORIGINAL DEALER, REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND CORPORATE OFFICES WERE UNRESPONSIVE AND/OR UNCOOPERATIVE RELATIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE CLUTCH. AFTER MULTIPLE REQUESTS, ASSURANCE OF LEGAL ACTION AND REFUSAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO FEAR OF BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, OTHER DEALERSHIP AGREED TO REPLACE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

REF PE04002: SUBARU IMPREZA WRX '02/'03 FUEL LEAK 1 ? TEMP: ~5 DEG. F OVERNIGHT. STARTED CAR IN AM; SMELLED RAW FUEL VIA THE VENTS. 2 - WITH FLASHLIGHT COULD SEE LEAKAGE FROM BOTH HOSE CLAMPS NOTED IN SUBARU TSB (09-36-03); ALSO TOOK PHOTOS. FRONT CLAMP: PRESSURIZED STREAM OF FUEL; APPROX. 2 OZ. FUEL POOLED IN RECESS IN THE MANIFOLD BY THE TIME ENGINE SHUT OFF. REAR CLAMP: RAPID DRIP OF FUEL; APPROXIMATELY 0.5 OZ. POOLED. FUEL ACCUMULATION OCCURRED WITHIN APPROX. 3 MIN. OF STARTING. 3 - SPENT 6+ HRS TIGHTENING THE SCREWS ON BOTH CLAMPS. BOTH LEAKS DIMINISHED TO SLOW DRIP; NOT STOPPED COMPLETELY; MIN. FUEL POOLING, STILL THERE IF TEMP LOW ENOUGH. TSB FIX NOT IMPLEMENTED YET. FILING COMPLAINT AGAINST CLOSED PE04002 BECAUSE: A - NO MENTION OF FUEL ACCUMULATION IN THE PUBLISHED RESOLUTION, ONLY SMELL OF FUEL. NUMEROUS INSTANCES REPORTED ONLINE OF NOTICEABLE FUEL LEAKAGE. B - SUBJECT VEHICLES NOTED FOR THEIR ALL WEATHER TRAVEL ABILITY; COMMONLY USED FOR WINTER SPORTS - POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE TO THIS PROBLEM. C - APPARENTLY NO REPORTED FIRES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT SEEMS VERY POSSIBLE: COINCIDENTAL ELECTRICAL FAULT OR STATIC ELECTRICITY DISCHARGE. D - IF VENTS CLOSED, FUEL ACCUMULATION COULD OCCUR UNNOTICED. E - IF FUEL POOLED UNDER A LEAKING JUNCTION IGNITED IT SEEMS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THE HEAT GENERATED COULD BURN/MELT THE HOSE ABOVE AND CREATE A FAR LARGER DISCHARGE OF FUEL. WHILE THE ODOR OF FUEL MAY NOT BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM, I CANNOT SEE HOW SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO A RUNNING ENGINE CAN BE CONSIDERED ANYTHING EXCEPT A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

A TERRIBLE RAW FUEL SMELL IS PRESENT IN THE CABIN AT STARTUP IN COLD WEATHER. FUEL SEEMS TO BE LEAKING AND POOLING SOMEWHERE. THIS IS NOT THE SAME LEAK AS THE TSB FOR 2002 MODELS.*AK

DRIVING SOUTH ON SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. UPON NOTICING THE RED LIGHT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AT ALL. I HAD TO REDIRECT THE COURSE OF THE CAR TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS AT A RED LIGHT. AS I TURNED TO THE RIGHT I CAME UPON A CURB AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR TIRE HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS TOWED TO BIRD ROAD SUBARU IN MIAMI. I HAVE BEEN FEELING FLUTTERING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EPISODE. *AK

MOVING AT CONSTANT 45 MPH BEHIND A MINIVAN DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON SMALL ROCK STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD (UPPER CORNER/PASSENGER SIDE) WITH VERY LITTLE FORCE AND RESULTED IN AN 8 INCH CRACK.*AK

I HAVE HAD A FIRST GEAR GRIND EVER SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE DEALER CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FIRST TECHNICIAN EVEN SAID IT WAS INTERNAL. FINALLY GOT THE FLUID CHANGED TO CORRECT THS ISSUE AT 14K MILES, HELPED BUT DID NOT FIX. AT 26000 MILES I TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY ALSO CONFIRM THERE IS A PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAY THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET EXHAUST. I EXPLAINED IT IS A PREXISTING CONDITION AND THE EXHAUST WOULD HAVE NO AFFECT ON THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO. DEALERSHIP STONEWALLS ME ON THIS ISSUE BUT PROMISES TO STILL FIX THE SEAT (SINCE IT HAS NNOT BEEN MODIFIED) I ASKED FOR THE TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF WHY THE TRANNY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY REFUSED TO ISSUE EITHER VERBALLY OR IN WRITING.*AK

2004 WRX SUN ROOF HAS A SMELL LIKE MILDEW. 3 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE (DETAIL, SUNROOF DOOR REPLACEMENT, HEADLINER REPLACEMENT) AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE MONTHS LATER. SUBARU HAS TOLD ME THAT IS THE NORMAL SMELL, EVEN AFTER $1500 IN COVERED REPAIRS. IT IS FAR FROM A NEW CAR SMELL, MORE LIKE MILDEW.*AK

FAILED TRANSMISSION FOR MANUAL DRIVE 2004 SUBARU WRX MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM

THERE WAS DEEP COWLING OVER THE INSTRUMENTATION AREA. *MR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS SHADED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE DISPLAY. *SC *JB

THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON 7 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2004. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (VALLEY DODGE, INC.) THAT IT WAS A FALSE CODE (#P0301) FOR A 1ST CYLINDER MISS FIRE. ON THE THIRD TIME THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE ECM AND SENT TO THE SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. FACTORY TO REPROGRAM. THE FOURTH TIME THE DEALERSHIP, PER SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. FACTORY, ADJUSTED THE #1 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE. THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TIME, THE DEALERSHIP PER SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. REPLACED THE INJECTION AND STILL HAVE THE CAR TO BETA TEST ON A 100-MILE 'TEST DRIVE' AS I WAS TOLD TO COMPARE THE READ-OUTS FROM THE ECM DURING THIS 'TEST-DRIVE.' I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR 20 DAYS NON-CONSECUTIVE IN THE 6 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *LA

WAS AT THE LOCAL TRACK ON RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG NIGHT. LINED UP AGAINST AN SRT-4. LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I ACCELERATED TRYING TO GET A HOLESHOT. I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH GIVING UP. THE SRT-4 WAS WAY AHEAD OF ME. I SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CATCH UP. THAT SRT-4 WAS FAST. THE LACK OF POWER IN MY STI REALLY DISHONORED MY FAMILY. IT FORCED ME TO BE HUMILIATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NORMAL AND TO EXPECT TO BE OUTMATCHED BY CARS LIKE THE DODGE SRT-4. THEY NEVER DID TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH NOISE.*AK

THE SPEDOMETER READING IS NEARLY 10% HIGH ON MY CAR AND THAT OF MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE CONTACTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

I BOUGHT A 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI IN JULY 2003 FROM BOB BAKER SUBARU IN EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA AND EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE NEXT. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL SERVICING IS COMPLETED AT THE LANCASTER MAZDA-SUBARU LOCATION WHERE I LIVE. SEVERAL COSMETIC PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED SUCH AS: THE TRUNK LATCH DID NOT FUNCTION, THE BACK SEAT WAS UNHOOKED, THE SEAT LEVER THAT MOVES THE SEAT IN HALF, THE CUP HOLDER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE HEAD LIGHTS FOGGED UP. MECHANICAL FAILURE HAS ALSO OCCURRED. IT HAS HAD AN ODD NOISE IN THE ENGINE SINCE THE BEGINNING WHICH SUBARU CLAIMS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS A "RACECAR". THE STARTER SOMETIMES GRINDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, SUBARU COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. THE LEFT REAR CHASSIS MAKES AN ODD NOISE WHEN ROLLING THAT SUBARU COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A LOUD METAL AGAINST METAL SCREECH. AS OF 6/18/2004 THE ENGINE HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. WHEN THE RPMS REACH BETWEEN 4000-5000 THE CAR CUTS OUT PRIOR TO ACCELERATING AND A BURNING SMELL IS DETECTED. I SPOKE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WHEN THIS CAR IS DRIVEN A LITTLE BIT HARDER THAN NORMAL THEY ARE NOTICING THAT SEVERAL OF THE IMPREZA WRX STI'S ARE BEING BROUGHT BACK IN WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THEY HAVE NOTED SEVERAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS TURBO BOG, OVERHEATING, POOR PERFORMANCE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BURNING UP. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DISTINCT PROBLEM WITH THIS OVER $30,000 AND I THINK A COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED AGAINST SUBARU. WHEN IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT BREAKS, AS IT WILL, IT WILL JUST SIT IN A GARAGE BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A CAR THAT IS MANUFACTURED POORLY. SUBARU HAS ADVISED THAT THIS CAR IS A RACE CAR AND IT IS FAR FROM THAT. THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THIS CAR SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED A POORLY MADE VEHICLE.*AK