2002 Subaru Impreza

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  2002 SUBARU WITH ROTTED SUB FRAME WITH ONLY 129,000 MILES. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

• 12/29/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN THE WEATHER IS MILDLY COLD, AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES OR LESS, AND THE VEHICLE SITS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 4-5 HOURS, TYPICALLY OVERNIGHT AND/OR IN A GARAGE, THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE SMELL DISSIPATES AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND WILL NOT RETURN UNLESS THE CAR SITS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 4-5 HOURS OVERNIGHT AND/OR IN A GARAGE. *KB

• 12/28/2011· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  EXTREME CORROSION OF FRONT SUB-FRAME. FAST ONSET. NO SIGN OF ISSUE AND THEN APPROX. LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER TOTAL PENETRATING CORROSION WAS VISIBLE IN AN AREA OF IT. WAS NOTICED DURING COMPLETION OF AN EXISTING SAFETY RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE ISSUE UPON REQUEST. *TR

• 12/28/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  KEYLESS ENTRY SECURITY WHEN YOU TURN IT ON THE HEADLIGHTS DOESN'T BLINK. ON THE DASHBOARD "SECURITY" WORD IS FLASHING. IT WASN'T THERE BEFORE. *TR

• 12/27/2013· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL ON ITS CONTROL ARMS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000). OUR CAR'S PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO. NOW WE HAVE DISCOVERED THE SAME LEVEL OF CORROSION ON A NEARBY PART, ALSO ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE (AKA K-FRAME, AKA FRONT CROSSMEMBER) IS SHOWING SEVERE CORROSION, SIMILAR TO THAT SHOWN BY THE CONTROL ARM THAT PREVIOUSLY CORRODED THROUGH AND BROKE ON OUR CAR. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SHOULD THIS PART FAIL, BUT WOULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT DANGER PARTICULARLY IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED. THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE CORROSION OF OUR CONTROL ARMS AND NOW OUR ENGINE CRADLE EXCEEDS THAT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS WAS THE REASON THAT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. *TR

• 12/24/2008· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION GEAR WON'T MOVE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I CALLED TOWING. HE OPEN THE LITTLE COVER AND PUSH IT WITH A KNIFE. THEN, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT. WAS THE PART DEFECTIVE? I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT BUT I CAN'T RECALL IF HE FIX IT. I HAVE TO CHECK WITH HIM. NOW IT IS WORKING. I AM WONDERING IF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/24/2008· VISIBILITYCrash

  I WAS DRIVING UP THE SNOW SIERRA NEVADAS AND MY WINDSHIELD WASHER DOESN'T WORK. NO VISIBILITY. I HAD IT FIX BEFORE BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK. I CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE SNOW AN CHAIN LINK FENCE. I HAVE A BUMPER DAMAGE BUT IT IS NOT BIG. *TR

• 12/24/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAD A REPLACE MY BATTERY. MY BATTERY IS NEW AND MY CAR WON'T START WITHOUT JUMP STARTING IT. IT IS A NEW BATTERY. I BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. THEY CONNECTED THE WIRES. I WAS CHARGED FOR DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

• 12/23/2015· STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  VEHICLE HAD RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR RUST ON FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS PERFORMED (AMONG THE FIRST CARS FIXED IN THE CAMPAIGN), AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND LOWER SUBFRAME ARE BADLY RUSTED, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE. SUBARU DEALER RECOMMENDED CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) AND SOA DECLINED TO HELP AT ALL. THIS IS A FAILED RECALL REPAIR, SINCE THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS RECALLED FOR.

• 12/23/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  SUBARU RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL, (RECALL NO. WVK-21), FOR LEAKING FUEL IN '02-'03 WRX'S. AS STATED, ONLY SOME VEHICLES ARE COVERED. I CALLED THE SUBARU PHONE # TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE A DEALER FIX IT, AT MY OWN COST, ASAP, BECAUSE LEAKING FUEL IS DANGEROUS. WELL AT LEAST THE SUBARU REP ADMITTED IT, IF SO WON'T AS A COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO EXTEND THIS RECALL TO ALL 02-03 WRX'S. THE LEAK IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I SEE RAW FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE PAVEMENT BELOW MY CAR, THAT ALONE IS A HORRENDOUS SAFETY RISK, AS WELL AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THIS VEHICLE WOULD PASS ANY EMISSIONS TEST WITH THE AMOUNT OF UNBURNED HYDROCARBON ESCAPING. AS IT IS NOW, THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE IF THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ZERO, IT SIMPLY LEAKS TOO MUCH FUEL TO EVEN BE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITHOUT AN INSTANT HEADACHE. *TR

• 12/23/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MY2002 SUBARU OWNERS WHO HAVE THE EJ20T 2.0 LITER TUBOCHARGED MOTOR. I HAVE A 2002 WRX. WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD (NEAR FREEZING) THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG IT ENTERS INTO THE CABIN. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THERE IS A TSB SERVICE BULLETIN. I STRONGLY RECCOMEND A RECAL ON ALL OF THE CARS THAT HAD THE "OLD" STYLE FUEL RAILS. PLEASE SEE - HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=482496 FOR MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/22/2011· SUSPENSIONCrash

  RT CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS NORTH BOUND ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN NYC. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND EXIT HIGHWAY. INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC INDICATED THE PART HAD RUSTED AWAY. I HAD HIM REPLACED BOTH AS I INTENDED TO TRADE IT IN AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ENDANGER ANYONE WHO MIGHT GET THE CAR. CAR WAS TRADED IN FOR A NEW SUBARU IN AUGUST 2010. *TR

• 12/22/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY SUBARU 2202 WRX HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT EVERYTIME IT IS COLD OUT. THEY HAVE A TSB TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS IN ALL CASES. THE TSB IS 09-36-03. I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD CARE ABOUT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT INVOLVES FUEL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

• 12/21/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  AFTER 54000 MILES A SLIGHT TO STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL HAS BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE ESPECIALLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. I AM LOCATED IN FLORIDA SO THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT DROP THAT LOW AND THE RAW FUEL SMELL IS BECOMING MORE APPARENT. *AK

• 12/21/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, FUEL LEAK ON PASSANGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. OCCURS IN LOW TEMPURATURES AND LEADS TO A STRONG RAW GAS ODOR IN THE CABIN.*AK ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED

• 12/21/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DURING COLD WEATHER MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A SMELL OF RAW FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. NOT SAFE, SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

• 12/21/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1.EVENTS: CHRONIC GASOLINE SMELL/FUMES IN 2002 SUBARU WRX IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS (UNDER 34 DEGREES). 2.DEALER HAS CHECKED OUT THE CAR ONCE IN SUMMER OF 2004 AND REPORTED NO PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH I WAS INHALING GASOLINE FUMES ON EVERY COLD MORNING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IN THE CAR MONDAY DEC 19. 2004 THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $425 TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY JUST FOUND. *AK

• 12/20/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT FUEL LINES LEAK ON THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA RS. THE LEAK CAN BE CLEARLY SMELLED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN BY SUBARU AND THEY WON'T DESIGNATE THIS AS A RECALL. THEY DO CONSIDER THIS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND ONLY SERVICE THIS UNDER WARRANTY. OTHERWISE, IT'S UP TO THE OWNER TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $350 TO HAVE A SUBARU DEALER PERFORM THE REPAIRS. *JB

• 12/20/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 WRX THREE YEARS AGO AND AM INHALING GASOLINE FUMES IN MY CAR WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. THE SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE "COLD FUEL SMELL". I THINK THAT INHALING GASOLINE FUMES IS VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING. I HOPE AND BEG THAT SUBARU CORPORATION WILL RECALL THIS COMMON FAULT. *NM

• 12/20/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL SMELL IS IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR. SYMTOM <30 DEGREES, AND THIS IS A KNOWN HOSE ISSUE IN THE WRX. *AK

• 12/20/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TSB 09-36-03 DATED 04/01/03 ISSUED BY SUBARU FOR THE 2002MY IMPREZA WRX LISTS THAT SOME MODELS MAY EXPERIENCE A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER, IF YOU ARE SMELLING FUEL, IT'S FUEL VAPORS, AND FUEL IS LEAKING PERIOD. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION I WOULD THINK! THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL SO DEALERSHIPS CAN?T CHARGE PEOPLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT IF THEIR CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. THEN THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED PROPERLY AND NO LONGER BE A HAZARD.*AK

• 12/19/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I PURCHASED A USED 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS. I HAVE READ A PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION, PE04002. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN FOR FIRE, BUT WHEN DRIVING OVER LONG PERIODS THE SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY AND HAS CAUSED LIGHT HEADEDNESS FOR MYSELF AND PASSENGERS, TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I ALSO AM CURIOUS WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR A KNOWN DEFECT, FOUND AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. LEAKING GAS IS DANGEROUS TO INHALE AND DANGEROUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT. I WOULD URGE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER. *NM

• 12/16/2021· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driver’s side front lower control arm was fractured. Prior to the failure, the contact had driven over a railroad track and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

• 12/16/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

• 12/16/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN COLD WEATHER (FREEZING), THE FUEL RAIL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS GASOLINE. THE GAS DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD (AND KNOWN SOURCE OF A HANDFUL OF FIRES) BUT IT ALSO IS A HEALTH RISK AS THE FUMES FROM THE GAS ENTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER IS IN USE. I HAVE HAD TO KEEP WINDOWS OPEN WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER TO PREVENT GETTING SICK FROM THE GAS FUMES. THE ISSUE GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE THE LONGER IT GOES WITHOUT REPAIR. MY MODEL YEAR IS 2002, AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE 2003 WHEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUES TO ALL SUBARU DEALERS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THOUSANDS OF CARS AND THERE IS GREAT INCONSISTENCIES IN SUBARU DEALERS REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH 920000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED WITH MY CAR, OTHERS REPORTED THE ISSUE WITHIN THE FIRST 20,000 MILES. *TR

• 12/15/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  GETTING A RAW FUEL SMELL IN AND AROUND VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER ON 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK. RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND DETERMINED POSSIBLE FIX INVOLVING TIGHTENING THE CLAMPS THAT CONNECT THE RUBBER FUEL LINE HOSES TO THE RIGID HOSE LINES (EIGHT CLAMPS TOTAL). TIGHTENED CLAMPS BUT PROBLEM RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. GASOLINE SMELL IS SOMEWHAT OVERPOWERING INSIDE CAR AND INSIDE GARAGE WHERE CAR IS PARKED. *TR

• 12/14/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NOT IN PLACE AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2012 FOR A RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

• 12/14/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT ADAQUATELY BRAKE OVER A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED INTO OTHER CARS AS A RESULT OF THE ABS SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO BRAKE ANYTHING LIKE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD. *AK

• 12/13/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 & THE OCCURRENCE OF BEING OVERCOME BY VAPORS IN MY MY02 SUBARU IMPREZA RS. STARTING LAST NIGHT THERE IS A VERY APPARENT HAZARDOUS FUEL VAPOR LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM DUE TO A PREVIOUSLY NOTED FAULTY FUEL LINE PART I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER & WAS ADVISED THERE WAS A TSB WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE COVERAGE & REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART DUE TO ME BEING OVER 60,000 & MY ENGINE 2.5 RS NOT BEING LISTED IN THE TSB. MAY I ASK, WHAT DOES A WARRANTY HAVE TO DO WITH REPLACEMENT OF A PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED, & CONFESSED DEFECTIVE PART PLACED ON A VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER? THE PART IS KNOWN & ESTABLISHED AS DEFECTIVE. THE EFFECTS OF THE FAILURE WITH THE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART ARE A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD & SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED VIA RECALL/REPLACEMENT. I TRAVEL 40 MINUTES EACH WAY EACH WORK DAY WITH MY SON IN THE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A PREGNANT WIFE WHO IS GOING TO BE FORCED BY YOUR LACK OF ACTION, TO BE EXPOSED TO VERY DANGEROUS FUMES. SOME ERRORS WITH THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION: THE VAPORS DO NOT GO AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP, IN FACT MINE IS VERY MUCH MORE EVIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. FUEL CONSUMPTION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GONE UP, POINTING TO A SIGNIFICANT LEAK OF GASOLINE TO WHERE? HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE FIRE CONCERN WHICH WAS DISMISSED IS NOT MY PROBLEM, I CAN JUMP OUT OF A BURNING CAR' THE EXTREME VAPORS WHICH CAUSED ME TO GET NAUSEOUS & A SEVERE HEADACHE IN JUST A 20 MINUTE TIME SPENT IN THE CAR ON LUNCH, ARE MY CONCERN. *JB

• 12/12/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CAR DEVELOPS A FUEL LEAK FROM THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LINES IN COLD TEMPERATURE (WINTER). GASOLINE DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE BLOCK AND FILLING INSIDE CABIN WITH HEAVY SMELL OF GAS FUMES. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APRIL OF 2003 BUT UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. DEFECT IS DUE TO THE INCORRECT MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN OF FUEL RAILS AND HOSES AND IS BEING FIXED BY INSTALLATION OF NEW UPDATED PARTS. *TR

• 12/11/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I RECENTLY BOUGHT AN 02 SUBARU AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME I COLD START THE CAR WHEN IT GETS BELOW FREEZING OUTSIDE THERE IS A HORRID GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT IS VISIBLE THAT THERE IS A POOL OF GAS ACCUMULATING ON THE MOTOR FROM UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I HAVE JUST NOTICED THIS AND CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS. LOOKING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A REGULAR ISSUE AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR INFORMATION ON HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO HAVE RAW FUEL ON A HOT ENGINE. I AM AT A LOSS AND A LITTLE CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

• 12/11/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, WHICH COULD BE CORRECTED BY A PATCH KIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/12/09.*JB

• 12/11/2001· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION/DRIVETRAIN RATTLES AND/OR GRINDS AT 2ND AND 3RD GEAR SHIFTS. *AK

• 12/10/2019· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  STRONG SMELL OF FUEL UPON START-UP WHEN IN SUB-FREEZING CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN 2019, WHICH ARE THE ONLY RECENT TIMES IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THOSE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY, 2019. THE SECOND WAS IN NOVEMBER, 2019. RECALL 09V468000 APPLIES TO MY MODEL VEHICLE, BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES. THE RECALL, THEREFORE, DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN, ALTHOUGH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL NOTICE APPEARS TO MATCH THE SYMPTOMS OF MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SUBARU, THEY INDICATED THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL.

• 12/10/2019· POWER TRAIN

  PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWORDS.... SAME EXACT DAY IN WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON A INCLINE AND MY CAR ROLLED BACKWORDS FASTER THEN IT SHOULD WHILE IN DRIVE. CAR HAS 101000 MILES

• 12/08/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 12/08/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 12/06/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY 2002 SUBARU WRX IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER. THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL HAS RECENTLY BECOME INTOLERABLE DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. I AM FORCED TO USE RECIRCULATION ON THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IF FREEZING WEATHER TO HELP WITH THE GAS SMELL. I HAVE TRACKED THE LEAK DOWN TO A TWO-INCH RUBBER HOSE SECTION UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CLAMPS ARE LOOSE AND CANNOT BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT REMOVAL OF THE MANIFOLD. I HAVE SEEN THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS MATTER. I CALLED MY DEALER TO HAVE THIS SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE REPAIRED. TO MY DISMAY, I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 48,270 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED. THE DEALER HAS VERBALLY QUOTED $400-$500 FOR THE REPAIR. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THE NHTSA, I SEE THAT FUEL VAPOR ODOR IN THE CABIN IN CERTAIN 2002 WRX'S IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED DEFECT. I HOPE FOR MY SAKE, SUBARU'S SAKE, AND THE SAKE OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. WILL SHOW ITSELF AS A STANDUP ORGANIZATION THAT WILL MAKE GOOD TO IT'S LOYAL CUSTOMERS. AS AN 11 YEAR MECHANICAL ENGINEER IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND AN AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST, I CAN EXPLAIN THAT THIS LEAK IS DUE TO THREE CONDITIONS. 1) IMPROPERLY TORQUED HOSE CLAMPS DURING FACTORY ASSEMBLY, 2) FUEL LINE MATERIAL SHRINKAGE/STIFFENING DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURES, LEADING TO FURTHER LOOSENING OF CLAMPS, AND 3) MISALIGNMENT OF FUEL LINES. SUBARU SHOULD REPAIR THIS FUEL LEAK AT THEIR COST; AVOIDING HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES, AND LOSS OF FUTURE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS NOT A CONDITION CAUSED BY THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE BY ANY MEANS AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE OPERATORS SHOULDERS. OVER TIME THIS LEAK WILL BECOME MORE SEVERE AND MAY POSSIBLY IGNITE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS OR CAUSE DIZZINESS IN THE MORE SEVERE CASES. *JB

• 12/02/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  IT WAS RAINING. I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A LIGHT, SAW ANOTHER CAR COMING TOWARDS ME. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS A HESITATION OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING IN LOW TRACTION CONDITIONS OR OVER BUMPS. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE SAME YEAR SIMILAR MODEL HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS COMPUTER AND THAT THEY REPLACE THE ABS COMPUTERS FOR THAT ONE BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T FOR MY CAR. *TR

• 12/01/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ON 1 OR 2 OCCASIONS IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS I HAVE SMELLED A GAS FUMES DURING VERY COLD WEATHER ON MY 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON. I WAS NOT OFTEN OR VERY STRONG, SO I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION. THIS WINTER IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE, ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE GETS INTO THE LOW 20'S, IT IS A MUCH STRONGER SMELL AND LASTS QUITE A WHILE (SEVERAL MINUTES). I DID SOME DIGGING ON YOUR SITE AND FOUND ACTION NUMBER PE04002. I PLAN TO VISIT MY DEALER AND HAVE THE SERVICE BULLETIN COMPLETED, BUT WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY GET WORSE OVER TIME, I CURRENTLY HAVE 66,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DRIVEN IT SINCE JULY 2001. *JB

• 12/01/2001· POWER TRAIN

  FIRST GEAR IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY ENGAGE FIRST GEAR, IF IM AT A COMPLETE STOP. SO IF IVE SLOWED DOWN TO 5-10MPH IM FORCED TO GO INTO 2ND GEAR, WHICH NOT ONLY WEARS OUT MY CLUTCH PREMATURELY, BUT COULD ALSO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF I NEEDED TO BUILD SPEED QUICKLY. THE TRANSMISSION OVERALL SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE WITH WRX OWNERS. PLEASE GO TO WWW.I-CLUB.COM AND UNDER FORUMS DO A SEARCH FOR TRANNY AND ALSO 1ST GEAR, YOU WILL SEE A SLEW OF ISSUES.

• 11/27/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 11/25/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE CONSUMER COULD APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN TO STOP. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND EVEN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *PH *NLM

• 11/24/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2002 SUBARU IMPREZA XRX GAS FUMES AND SMELL WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. IT IS COMMON ON 2002 SUBARU'S THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF A FIRE AND THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO DATE. THE COST FOR A REPAIR IS HIGH BECAUSE THE FUEL LINES AND UNDER THE MANIFOLD. I NOTICED THIS SMELL THE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT IS THE DATE IN THE INCIDENT BOX. *TR

• 11/23/2015· SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. AFTER ADJUSTING THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE BACK OF THE SEAT SUDDENLY RELEASED AND CAUSED THE OCCUPANT TO FALL BACKWARDS WHILE IN THE SEAT. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

• 11/22/2009· STRUCTURE

  I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON MY VEHICLE IS ROTTED AND THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2002 WITH LESS THEN 94,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I WOULD NEED TO SPEND AROUND $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME. IF THIS PROBLEM WASN'T NOTICED AND I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE CAR WOULD CRUMBLE IF IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. OR I COULD JUST BE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND IT COULD BASICALLY FALL APART, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 11/21/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MY CAR'S ABS ENGAGES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY/UNEVEN SURFACES RESULTING IN NEARLY COMPLETE BRAKING LOSS. THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DOESN'T WANT TO STOP AT ALL. THIS CAN BE VERY SCARY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU AREN'T AWARE THAT THE ROAD IS UNEVEN. I'VE HAD TO GET USED TO THIS HAPPENING AND ADJUST MY DRIVING TECHNIQUES AS A RESULT!!! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IS THIS! THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *LA

• 11/20/2002· VISIBILITY

  NO SUMMARY. DT

• 11/19/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD SOUND INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT FIRST THE HORN WOULD SOUND ONCE HOWEVER, RECENTLY THE FAILURE WAS MORE FREQUENT AND FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,973. *BF

• 11/18/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  RAW FUEL SMELL PLUS LEAKING FUEL IN 40*F OR BELOW TEMPERATURES. *TR