2003 Subaru Impreza

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

• 12/29/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I HAVE A COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS FUEL LEAK CAUSES THE CABIN OF THE CAR TO FILL UP WITH VOLATILE FUMES. IT IS A VISIBLE LEAK AND DRIPS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE NEAR SOURCES OF IGNITION. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND 3 OF MY LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY RANK IT AS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WITH ALL SUBARU WRX OWNERS IN A COLD CLIMATE. USE A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET FOR (COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAK WRX ECT..) AND YOU WILL FIND THOUSANDS OF AFFECTED OWNERS. SUBARU WANTS $500-$900 FOR THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR EXPLOSION, HEALTH, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. PLEASE HELP. *TR

• 12/14/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES ON ROUGH DRY ROADS OR WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR SNOWY ABS KICKS IN AND MY SUBARU WRX TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE BRAKES AREN'T EVEN WORKING. I HAVE ALMOST REAR EDNED PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THIS. ALSO, WHEN THE ABS GOES OFF ONCE IN THE SNOW, IT CONTINUES TO GO OFF EVERY TIME I STOP. *AK

• 12/11/2018· SUSPENSION

  LOWER PASSENGER CONTROL ARM TORE OFF. AS A RESULT, LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY.

• 12/11/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY LINE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 137,000.

• 12/10/2020· SUSPENSION

  ON THE NIGHT OF 12/6/2020 I WAS BACKING OUT OF A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY TO DRIVE HOME, WHEN I REACHED THE STREET, I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND A GRINDING NOISE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND THE FRONT PORTION OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY LOST ALL STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. FORTUNATELY MY CAR WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL (PICTURES ATTACHED). HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE EVENTS ON 12/6/2020 INDICATES THE REMEDIATION STEPS PROPOSED BY SUBARU ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AS THIS PART FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER THESE STEPS HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE SAFETY RECALL REMEDIATION STEPS IN QUESTION ARE THAT OF: "TYPE: SAFETY | SAFETY RECALL: WVX34 | NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 11V464000" ACCORDING TO SUBARU'S WEBSITE FOR THIS VEHICLE, THE SAFETY RECALL WAS COMPLETED: HTTPS://WWW.SUBARU.COM/VEHICLE-RECALLS.HTML/VIN=[XXX] ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX REPORT, THE SAFETY RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON 2/7/2012 ONLY 5 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. (SCREENSHOT ATTACHED) THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL SHOW THAT THE TESTING STEPS AND REMEDIATION STEPS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR A COMPLETED SAFETY RECALL AS THE PART DID END UP FAILING AFTER THE ADDITIONAL COATING OF ANTI-CORROSIVE HAD BEEN APPLIED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF MY VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/06/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL LINE LEAKING GAS IN COLD WEATHER. I REALLY DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE WITH QUITE A BIT OF GAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE THAT GETS VERY HOT AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

• 12/05/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL LEAKING FROM LINES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 2003 (MAN. DATE JULY 2002) SUBARU WRX SEDAN. LEAK APPEARS TO BE TRIGGERED BY COLD TEMPERATURES. FUEL POOLS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER, WHO DID NOT THINK IT WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

• 12/05/2006· EQUIPMENT

  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

• 11/26/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS ACTIVATES WHEN DRIVING OVER A SEMI-BUMPY SURFACE. DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL. ALMOST REAR ENDED A CAR DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY AS THE EXIT OF THE PARKING LOT SEEMS TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. *LA

• 11/23/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON MY 2003 SUBARU WRX SEDAN, SEEM TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. WHILE BRAKING OVER BUMPS / BROKEN PAVEMENT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND SEEMS TO MALFUNCTION AS THERE IS A VERY ACUTE LOSS OF PEDAL PRESSURE AND A SEVERE LOSS IN BACKING POWER. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND HAPPENS ON A SEMI REGULAR BASIS WHENEVER BRAKING OVER A SURFACE THAT HAS IRREGULARITIES. *LA

• 11/23/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS TURNS ON WAY TO QUICK IN SNOW... *LA

• 11/16/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2003 SUBARU WRX. COLD START RAW FUEL SMELL. FUEL LEAK UNDER INTAKE ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

• 11/14/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DUE TO A FLAWED DESIGN RELATED TO THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM, WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 14 DEGREES A RUBBER HOSE CONTRACTS AND GASOLINE LEAKS OUT OF A FUEL RAIL CONNECTION ABOVE THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS FLAW IS OUTLINED IN SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN (#09-36-03). I THINK IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION HAVING RAW FUEL LEAKING ONTO AN ENGINE ESPECIALLY SINCE THE SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR IS EXTREMELY STRONG. THIS DESIGN ISSUE SHOULD HAVE FORCED A RECALL, YET IT HAS NOT AND SUBARU DEALERS ARE CHARGING IN EXCESS OF $500 TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY REPLACING THE RUBBER HOSE WITH ONE THAT IS 30MM LONGER. THE LEAKING FUEL SITUATION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING MORE SEVERE EACH WINTER WITH TODAY BEING NO EXCEPTION. THE TEMPERATURE HERE IN CHEYENNE THIS MORNING WAS IN A LOW TEENS AND EVEN AS I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE I COULD SMELL GAS AS I STOOD NEXT TO THE CAR. WHEN I TURNED ON THE FAN FOR THE HEATER THE CABIN FILLED WITH GAS FUMES. A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS, POSTINGS AND THREADS BY OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/01/2002· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED AFTER A SMALL PEBBLE HIT IT ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55 MPH. DT

• 10/26/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON MY 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS. IF YOU HIT A BUMP WHILE BRAKING IT WILL TRIGGER THE ABS - AND RESULT IN AN ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. I NOTICE A BULLETIN IS LISTED FOR THE WRX ONLY, BUT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN MY CAR AS WELL. *LA

• 10/21/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  KAREN QUINN OF SUBARU OF AMERICA ASSURED ME THAT I CAN DRIVE MY 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS WITHOUT ANY CONCERN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS BLINKING AND I WAS IN DANGER. AT A LATER TIME SHE FALSIFIED THE RECORDS AND HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF SUCH CONVERSATION. *LA

• 10/13/2016· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  TAKATA AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SIDE IMPACT SENSOR DID NOT WORK. THE CAR TRAVELED SIDEWAYS INTO A LARGE OAK TREE IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH . THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS WHERE THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR WAS LOCATED . NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED . SUBARU HAS BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE WITH ANSWERS AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . THIS HAPPENED UPON A RURAL ROAD IN THE FOG . NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED .

• 10/09/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RUBBER CONNECTOR BETWEEN FUEL LINES. CONSUMER FEELS THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST. *NJ THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. *JB

• 10/07/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  APPROACHING STOP LIGHT ON SURFACE STREET; DRY CONDITIONS, FLAT ROAD; APPROX 30 MPH; ANTICIPATING STOPPING. LIFT FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN; CAR DOES NOT SLOW; FEELS OUT OF CONTROL & UNABLE TO STOP; TURN CAR TO RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD TO AVOID HITTING CARS AHEAD; TURN INTO A TREE; AIRBAG DEPLOYED; CAR TOTALED; EMERGENCY VEHICLES RESPOND; AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL; BROKEN L-2 IN BACK; SEVERE BRUISING; AT MY REQUEST, VEHICLE INSPECTED BY INSURER; HAVE NOT SEEN INSPECTION REPORT; REPORTED TO ME THAT "BRAKES HAD PRESSURE AND FLUID"; AFTER SEEKING ADVICE FROM ACCIDENT EXPERT, NOT CONFIDENT VEHICLE INSPECTION WAS THOROUGH ENOUGH; AM ABSOLUTELY SURE THERE WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF SOME TYPE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACCIDENT (I.E., ENOUGH TIME TO CORRECT ANY DRIVER ERROR). *NM

• 09/28/2004· SEATSCrash

  AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED STATING THAT THE BOLT ON DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND INJURY WAS IMMINENT. DURING THE COLLISION DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT BROKE, AND CONSUMER WAS THROWN UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK *NM

• 09/14/2016· STRUCTURECrash

  HTTPS://SERVICES.NEFRAMEWORK.COM/IMAGERETRIEVAL.ASPX?ID=974F272D-0461-4FF2-97A8-B175C14EC539 THAT DESCRIBES HOW THE CRASH HAPPENED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED BROKEN LEFT ELBOW, FRACTURE IN MY SKULL,RIBS AND SHOULDER. ALSO SEVERE BRAIN TRAUMA. I HAVE A LOT OF PICTURES, BUT IT WILL ONLY LET ME ATTACH ONE. THERE IS FRONTAL DAMAGE FROM A SMALLER TREE, BUT THE MAJORITY IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE(MY SIDE) FROM SLAMMING INTO A LARGE TREE.

• 09/11/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A TSB (REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES). THE CONTACT HAD TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT COMPONENT. WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO ANOTHER TSB (ADD CLAMPS TO FUEL LINES). SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 09/01/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS ARE GETTING TO BE HAZY AFTER 30000 MILES, VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. SUBARU SAYS NOT THERE PROBLEM.*AK

• 08/31/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  AT 15,000KM PAST WARRANTY, I SUBMITTED MY CAR FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING FLUIDS, REQUIRED NEW HEAD GASKETS, NEW TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. BARRIE SUBARU DID NOT SHOW MUCH INTEREST IN THE AMOUNT OF WORK REQUIRED ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. *TR

• 08/18/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAD COLLAPSED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HAS ALSO COLLAPSED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT HAD ROTTED AWAY. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON BOTH SIDES WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 08/11/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS MODERATE(75F), BUT ENGINE WAS COLD. UPON ENGINE START STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN CABIN AND IN ENGINE BAY AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR

• 08/03/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  HAD TO BRAKE HARD ON SEMI-BUMPY PAVEMENT AND ABS ACTIVATED AND LOST ALL STOPPING POWER. ABS IS WAY TOO SENSITIVE AND OVER-REATIVE. I ENDED UP SLIGHTLY CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FROT OF ME. THIS ABS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND I WAS WELL AWARE OF IT, HOWEVER I WAS STILL UNABLE TO COMPENSATE AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.*AK

• 08/02/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH OR WET ROADWAY AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED ABS KICKS IN AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP, OR SLOW DOWN AT ALL. YOU THEN HAVE TO RELEASE THE BRAKES AND THEN PRESS THE PEDAL AGAIN TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS (APROX 10 OR SO) TIMES SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEB 2003. I HAVE DRIVEN NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES WITH ABS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE RESPONDED IN THE SAME MANNER.*AK

• 07/23/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKES ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN WORKED ON THREE TIMES SINCE I GOT MY CAR A YEAR AGO AND ABOUT TO GO AGAIN. THEY KEEP TRYING TO FIX THEM BUT I KEEP HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK. THE DATE BELOW IS THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP.*AK

• 07/22/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  ABS ON 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX "FREAKS OUT" WHEN YOU STOP ON A BUMPY PIECE OF PAVEMENT. IT TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN YET. BUT I SAW THAT IT WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE. IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE ENOUGH BRAKING ROOM, THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM. *AK

• 07/07/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN FULL THROTTLE WHILE DRIVER'S FEET WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.

• 07/06/2005· SEAT BELTS

  DT: CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REFUSES TO UNLOCK. THE BELT JUST KEEPS GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. IT WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THE CONSUMER UNHOOKS THE BELT AND PUTS IT BACK IN. THEN IT WILL START TO LOCK BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. IT DOES NOT DO IT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS BELT IS DESIGNED FOR A CAR SET. DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. IT SEEMS TO DO IT WITH LARGER INDIVIDUALS. *AK

• 05/31/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH AT ABOUT 45 MPH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT IN THE CITY OF BELL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS EXPANDED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 05/12/2003· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

• 05/10/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE ABS PROGRAM INSTALLED ON THIS CAR (WRX) IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. SNOW COVERED ROADS REQUIRE EXTREME CARE BECAUSE THE ABS ENGAGES AY TOO EASILY, RESULTING IN VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. ONE TIME I WAS MAKING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN ON WET ASPHALT; I HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. THE ABS DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AND THE RIGHT SIDE LOCKED FOR ONE SEC AND I DRIFTED OFF LINE, BARELY MISSING A MEDIAN. FORGET ABOUT RECEIVING MAXIMUM BRAKING POWER OVER ANY UNDULATING SURFACE (EVEN ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY), ABS INTRUDES AND STOPPING DISTANCE IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED. NOTHING HAS RESULTED AS OF TODAY, BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING. MOST DRIVERS WILL BE THROWN OUT BY THE INTRUSIVENESS OF THE ABS PROGRAM. CONVERSELY, A BETTER THAN AVERAGE DRIVER WILL ALMOST BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SCENARIO ENTIRELY. I DISCUSSED THE DEAL WITH A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ALL NORMAL. I AGREE, BUT THE ABS IS STILL WAY TOO SENSITIVE, AND I HAVE PROOF. I HAD A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR GO OUT ON MY RIGHT REAR SIDE WHICH DISABLED MY ABS. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS AFTERWARD AND THE BRAKES WERE MUCH MORE PREDICTABLE AND TWICE AS EASY TO MODULATE. I WAS ENJOYING A NON-ABS CAR SO MUCH THAT I ACTUALLY TOLD THE DEALER IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND I WOULD GET IT FIXED ONCE I FULLY UNDERSTOOD THE SYSTEM. I EVENTUALLY GOT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED AND ALL IS WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT ABS IS STILL EXTREMELY INTUSIVE. I NOW HAVE PERFORMANCE TIRES ON THE CAR AND I STILL CAN'T MAXIMIZE THEIR ABILITY! *LA

• 05/01/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2003 SUBARU IMPREZA, 56,000K WITH LEAKING HEAD GASKET (BOTH SIDES) AND ROD KNOCK. WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH WELL-DOCUMENTED SERVICE HISTORY. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF SHORT BLOCK/HEAD GASKETS. SAME ISSUE AND SAME ENGINE AS ADDRESSED IN PHASE II EJ25 HEAD GASKET LEAK / WWP-99 SERVICE CAMPAIGN - COOLING SYSTEM CONDITIONER. EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH 2003 2.5L ENGINES (EXAMPLE: HTTP://ALLWHEELDRIVEAUTO.COM/SUBARU-HEAD-GASKET-PROBLEMS-EXPLAINED/). CLAIM FILED WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA (FILE # [XXX]) WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 04/23/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN STOPPING USING A MODERATE BRAKING FORCE FROM AVERAGE ROAD SPEEDS (25-45MPH) I HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL INABILITY TO STOP DUE TO PREMATURE AND PROLONGED ENGAGEMENT OF MY ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE) SYSTEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SOMEWHAT BUMPY ROADS, DURING RAIN, OVER SMALL AMOUNTS OF LOOSE GRAVEL ON ROADWAYS, AND EVEN ON SMOOTH DRY ROADS DURING HARDER BRAKING. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS, BUT I HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE SINCE DISABLED MY ABS SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED AT 5, DATING FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. THERE HAVE EASILY BEEN MORE INCIDENTS THAN 5 THOUGH, BUT I CAN CLEARLY REMEMBER AT LEAST 5 OF THEM WHEN I FEARED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

• 04/16/2008· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET CARBON FIBER HOOD FROM A COMPANY CALLED VIC RACING SPORTS. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD, IT RETAINS WATER AND THERE IS NO WHERE FOR THE WATER TO DRAIN. DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER IN HIS STATE, THE WATER FROZE AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO CRACK. THE FAILURE COULD ALSO CAUSE THE HOOD LATCH TO FAIL. THE COMPANY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF UPDATED

• 04/07/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. *TR

• 03/30/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN VEHICLE IS RIDING OVER BUMPS. THE ABS IS OVERLY SENSITIVE. *AK

• 03/26/2021· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I NOTICED FRESH SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. I LOOK AT THE FUEL LINE AND ITS SIPPING FUEL.

• 03/18/2020· ENGINE

  HEAD GASKET ISSUE. WEEPING OIL BETWEEN THE HEADS AND THE BLOCK. NO LONGER OWN VEHICLE.

• 03/13/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH IT WAS HIT ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND CROSSING A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NICE THAT DAY. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 50,000.*AK

• 03/08/2021· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  SUBARU OF AMERICA RECALL WVK-21 OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE, CAUSING SMOKE TO RISE FROM ENGINE BAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE AS MY VIN DID NOT COME UP IN THEIR SYSTEM WITH THE RECALL.

• 02/26/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. RK

• 02/26/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS IN MY SUBARU IMPREZA WRX ENGAGED UNEXPECTEDLY AS I TRIED TO STOP ON A BUMPY (SMALL LIGHT DEBRIS) ROAD. AS DISTANCE LESSENED BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BRAKES DID ALMOST NOTHING TO SLOW THE APPROACHING SPEED. TO AVOID COLLISION, I VEERED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMBER SKIN OF MY CAR. ALL DAMAGE WAS COSMETIC, AND INVOLVED NO OTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SAID ABS PROBLEM BEFORE, BUT NEVER RESULTING IN DAMAGE OR OVERLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE IN ANY OTHER ABS EQUIPPED CAR SINCE I BEGAN DRIVING. IN MY OPINION, THERE SEEMS TO BE PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE ABS COMPUTER DECIDES WHEN TO ACCTIVATE AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IT NEEDS TO FUNCTION. I COULD FORSEE THIS BEING A LARGER PROBLEM AND LEADING TO A MORE SEVERE ACCIDENT.*AK

• 02/22/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS IN COLD WEATHER, USUALLY BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE SMELL OF GASOLINE EXISTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT CHECKED DURING AN LOCAL STATE INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED FUEL WAS LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS. I CONTACTED THREE(3) LOCAL DEALERS, THAT ALL NEW ABOUT TSB 09-36-03. THEY ALL QUOTED THE SAME $500 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. TWO OF THE DEALERS, SUBARU OF DALLAS AND HUFFINES SUBARU IN DALLAS TEXAS INFORMED ME THAT FAILURE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. GIVEN THE SEVERE NATURE OF THE DEFECT, THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLEARLY KNOWS ABOUT, THIS SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO A RECALL. 1) THE DANGER OF LEAKING FUEL DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. 2) THE HAZARDS OF INHALING GASOLINE FUMES 3) THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AND VIOLATIONS OF EPA REGULATIONS RELEASE GASOLINE AND GASOLINE VAPORS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. *JB

• 02/20/2019· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). KEARNY MESA SUBARU (4797 CONVOY ST, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 278-7100) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,800.

• 02/14/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL. I SMELL THE POISONOUS FUEL INSIDE MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME I AM INSIDE IT. I AM LOSING 50 MILES PER FULL TANK. CAN THIS LEAK CAUSE MY CAR TO BLOW-UP AND KILL ME OR OTHERS? I AM SCARED. MY NAME IS [XXX] FROM CLIFTON NEW JERSEY. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER. ISN'T SAFETY MORE IMPORTANT THAN A 3 MONTH EXPIRED WARRANTY? I WORK FOR NJ TRANSIT, I KNOW THE DOT WOULD BE CONCERNED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 02/14/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTREMELY COLD IN CHICAGO AND UPON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY UNTIL THE CAR IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IT WAS SUBARU RECALL NO. WVK-21. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. I CALLED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. BUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR