2008 Subaru Impreza complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS WELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD MOVE OVER AN INCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRACKET FOR THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVE-THRU, THE VEHICLES EXHIBITED A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE HAD ERRONEOUSLY OPENED FULLY AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

CAR BEGAN 'STUMBLING' AT 3K RPM UNDER VERY LIGHT LOAD/THROTTLE. HAD SUBSTANTIALLY LESS POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SMALL TRACE OF WHITE SMOKE DURING STARTUP, ONLY HAPPENED ONCE. COMPRESSION/LEAKDOWN RESULTS; CYL1 = 115 / 10%, CYL2 = 125 / 10%, CYL3 = 117 / 18%, CYL4 = 100 / 23%. DRIVING HABITS ARE MILD, I-MODE 90% OF THE TIME, SHIFTING AT 2800-3200 RPM... CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER, THEY HAVE CONFIRMED AN ISSUE AND WE'RE AWAITING RESPONSE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL BE WARRANTIED. *TR

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING RACK FAILURE ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 47,500 MILES WHEN THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME TIGHT AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. *JB

VEHICLE STARTED WITH A NOISE IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WENT AWAY WITH LUBRICANT. THEN BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING SOUND AND THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE BOTH STARTED TO MOVE AS I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH . THE SHIFTING OF GEARS BECAME DIFFICULT FROM THE START OF REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. THEN IT BE CAME REAL LOOSE I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT AND MENTIONED THAT A WELD HAS BROKEN AND DID NOT RECOMMEND HIM FIX BUT TO HAVE THE DEALER TAKE A LOOK AT IT BECAUSE ITS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF IT BREAKS COMPLETELY THAT IT MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO BE UNABLE TO STOP . SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND MENTIONED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT THEY WILL LOOK AT IT. CURRENTLY THEY MENTIONED THEY CANNOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY SO CURRENTLY I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT RESOLVED SO IM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

WHEN DRIVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CAR BEHAVES NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON HARD PACKED SNOW OR WET PAVEMENT THE REAR END OF THE CAR WOBBLES VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, MAKING IT HIGHLY UNSTABLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RELATIVELY SLOW SPEEDS (BELOW 50 MPH). THIS PROBLEM INCREASES WHEN THE CAR IS SUBJECT TO LOADS SUCH AS ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS OR CARGO. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAVE REFERRED TO THE PROBLEM AS "GHOST WALKING". *TR

WELDS ON CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING POOR CLUTCH FEEL AND EXCESSIVE NOISE. THERE ARE SEVERAL SPOT WELDS ON THE ASSEMBLY THE CLUTCH PEDAL MOUNTS TO WHICH ATTACH IT TO THE FIREWALL. SOME OF THESE WELDS BROKE AND NOW GIVE THE CAR AN UNUSUAL FEELING RESPONSE TO THE PRESSING OF THE CLUTCH. IN ADDITION THERE IS NOW EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY THAT IS PERSISTENT. WITH SOME OF THE WELDS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER ADEQUATELY SECURED TO THE FIREWALL AND THERE IS A RISK THE REMAINING WELDS COULD BREAK. THIS WOULD CAUSE COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE POSSIBLY DURING USE ON THE ROAD. WITH A SUB-PAR CONNECTION TO THE FIREWALL NOW THERE IS NOTICEABLE BENDING AND FLEXING OF THE FIREWALL INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE CLUTCH CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FLEXING OF THE FIREWALL COULD EVENTUALLY IMPACT THE ABILITY OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO PERFORMANCE AT TOP PERFORMANCE OR POSSIBLY FAIL. *TR

THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY OF MY VEHICLE HAS DISCONNECTED FROM MY FIREWALL DUE TO FAULTY WELDS. MY CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE AMOUNT OF PLAY AND IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH BRAKING AND DISENGAGING MY CLUTCH. SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. *TR

LOUD GROANING NOISE COMING FROM CLUTCH PEDAL EACH TIME PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO SHIFT THE CAR. ON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE NOISE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE (CLUTCH AND BRAKE) PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS FLEXING AND THE FIREWALL OF THE CAR IS DEFLECTING EACH TIME THE PEDAL IS ACTUATED. LOOKING AT HOW THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BELIEVE THAT WITH ENOUGH CYCLES THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BECOME DISPLACED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. WHILE MY VEHICLE HAS HIGH MILEAGE THIS IS DUE TO LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL FOR WORK. AN OWNER LIVING IN AN URBAN AREA MAY HAVE A HIGHER DUTY CYCLE WITH THE PEDALS AND EXPERIENCE ISSUES SOONER.

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SCREECHING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS APPLIED AND A LOUD POP NOISE FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 6TH GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE ON COLD STARTS, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WASHER WAS INOPERABLE, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OCCASIONALLY DID NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE HOOD WAS LOOSE AND RATTLED, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STUDS WOULD NOT SECURE THE LUG NUT, THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUMPING. *JB

THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP THE VISOR FLIPPED DOWN FROM IT'S POSITION AGAINST THE ROOF TO A COMPLETELY VERTICAL POSITION BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. I AM ONLY 5 FOOT 7 INCHES, BUT WHEN THE VISOR IS COMPLETELY DOWN MY VISION IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. THE VISOR WOULD NO LONGER REMAIN UP AGAINST THE ROOF, NOR FULLY FORWARD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND REMOVE THE SCREWS HOLDING THE VISOR MOUNT TO THE ROOF. WHEN I DID THIS THE SHAFT THAT CONNECTS THE VISOR TO THE ROOF MOUNT CAME OUT OF THE VISOR. THE PLASTIC PORTION HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY INSIDE THE VISOR. THE FORCE HOLDING THE VISOR IN THE UP POSITION HAD BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WEAKER FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE IT FAILED COMPLETELY. SEARCHING THE WEB IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. WITHOUT A VISOR IT IS NOW DEFINITELY MORE HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE INTO THE SUN, I KEEP A BASEBALL CAP IN THE CAR FOR THESE SITUATIONS WHILE I ATTEMPT TO FIND AN INEXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT. MY DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $140 FOR A REPLACEMENT VISOR.

DRIVERS SUN VISOR ROTATES DOWN UNPREDICTABLY, BLOCKING VISION FOR AVERAGE OR TALL DRIVERS. A SMALL BUMP CAN TRIGGER THIS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS FROST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED A WHITE FILM DEVELOPED ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN USING THE HEATER. THE FROST SHOWED UP INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER AND THE WHITE FILM WAS NOTICED WHENEVER THE HEATER WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.

I AM GETTING FROST ON THE INSIDE OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD SOMETIMES IN COLD WEATHER. BEGINNING ABOUT NOVEMBER, IT IS ALSO COVERED DAILY IN A FILM I CAN'T SEEM TO GET RID OF WITH MY HAND. IT KEEPS RETURNING. *TR

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN ABS ISSUES. LIGHT SNOW/WET PAVEMENT COMING TO A STOP ANYWHERE FROM 5-25 MPHS THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKS THE WHEELS CAUSING IT TO SLIDE. ABS PULSATES BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO LET GO. *TR

FUEL LEAK AT FLANGE JOINT OF FUEL PUMP/TANK ASSEMBLY OR NEARBY LOCATION ACCOMPANIED BY SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF FLANGE RETAINING BOLTS. LEAKED FUEL CAUSES ODOR TO ACCUMULATE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY WAY OF NEARBY AIR EXHAUST VENTS WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILES DRIVEN. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT IN TIMELY MANNER TO RESOLVE ISSUE DUE TO WORKLOAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED AS IT WOULD GRIP THEN NOT GRIP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CLUTCH PLATE DID NOT SEEM TO BE GROOVED PROPERLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DRIVER ERROR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

EVERY TIME I PUSH IN MY CLUTCH, WITHIN THE FIRST FEW INCHES THERE IS A "CLICK" THAT OCCURS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE 08 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BREAKING WELDS ON THE FIRE WALL, THUS CAUSING THE "CLICK" SOUND. *TR

FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY THAT INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE AND EFFECTS HANDLING. SHIMMY COMES AND GOES IN INTENSITY BUT IS ALWAYS PRESENT. SHIMMY CAUSES THE WHEEL AND ROTOR TO SHAKE WHICH PREVENTS THE BRAKE PADS FROM STOPPING THE VEHICLE AS INTENDED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED ME TO RUN A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST GET BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SHIMMY STILL EXISTS AND HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DESPITE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO SUBARU AND THE SUBARU DEALER. SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THERE IS AN AXLE BALANCING PROBLEM OR A BEARING RUN OUT PROBLEM, BUT HAS YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

SUBJECT: POSSIBLE CAR RECALL SUBARU IMREZA - IN THIS MODEL BASIC BRAKE MOUNT SNAPS COMMENTS DUE TO ROAD SAFETY AND THE POSSIBLE SERIOUS THREAT THAT COULD BE CAUSED BY CARS ON ROADS IN THE U.S. I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. THE CASE CONCERNS SUBARU IMPREZA MANUFACTURED IN 2007 AND 2009. THESE CARS MAY HAVE A FAULTY BASIC BRAKE MOUNT, WHICH CAN CAUSE IT TO SNAP . THE DESIGN AND STRENGTH OF THE FASTENING ELEMENTS TURNS OUT TO BE UNSUITED TO THE PREVAILING TENSION. MANY SUCH VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROADS IN THE U.S. AND POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE. BECAUSE I AM A USER OF ONE OF THESE CARS (SUBARU IMPREZA WRX VIN [XXX] ) AND HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED SUCH A CASE, I AM IN POSSESSION OF ALL DOCUMENTATION. ON YOUR REQUEST I WILL SEND ANY INFORMATION ON THE CAR AND THE EVENT ALONG WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION. I HOPE THAT THE CASE WAS INCIDENTAL AND RELATED TO ONLY THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, BUT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THERE IS A CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER MY DASH BOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY WHEN PRESSING AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH. ALSO, THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IS MOVING DUE TO FLEX ON THE FIRE WALL. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND ITS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THEY HAVE ALSO FIXED CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO FAR YET REFUSED TO FIX IT. THE MAIN FAULT IS THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET WHICH IS WELDED TO THE BULKHEAD HAS A BAD WELD WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO CLUTCH THE CAR POSING A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT INCURRING. *TR

HIGH BEAMS FAIL, VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. DEALER STATES UNSURE WHAT PROBLEM IS, AFTER 1 HOUR CHARGE OF DIAGNOSTICS,SENT ME ON MY WAY. *TR

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA, STANDARD TRANSMISSION. AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH, WHEN CLUTCH IS FULLY DEPRESSED, AND TRANSMISSION IS IN FIRST GEAR, ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 2500-4000 RPM'S. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS COASTING FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN IN GEAR WITH CLUTCH PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. WHEN BRAKE IS TAPPED OR GEAR PLACED TO NEUTRAL ENGINE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL IDLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN COASTING FORWARD. THE ENGINE SPEED VARIES EACH OCCURRENCE BUT GENERAL SPEEDS TO AROUND 2500 RPM'S WITH RARE JUMPS TO 4000+ RPM'S. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FOR A HALF SECOND WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED FOR A HALF SECOND ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255. UPDATED 03/11/10 *BF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGE FOR UP TO 1.5 SECONDS AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD REMOVED HIS FOOT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING WITHIN DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. THE CONSUMER WENT TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE ECU THAT CONTROLLED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEHAVIOR WOULD NEED TO BE RE-PROGRAMMED. UPDATED 07/26/10

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA THE WINDSHIELD GETS COVERED BY A FILM DURING COOL/COLD WEATHER AND IMPAIRS YOUR VISION WHILE DRIVING AND YOU NEED TO STOP AND REMOVE THE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD . YES A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. SUBARU DENIES ANY PROBLEMS. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR

2008 SUBARU WRX MANUAL TRANS. 22,500 MILES. BETWEEN THE TIME THE ENGINE COMES OFF HIGH IDLE (AFTER BEING STARTED COLD) AND WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP, THE ENGINE WILL DROP ITS RPM TO 0 CAUSING AN ENGINE STALL WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS RECENTLY HAPPENED WHEN ENTERING A ROUNDABOUT WHEN I WAS GOING TO SHIFT DOWN FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. AT THIS POINT I ONLY HAVE MY LEFT HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND RIGHT ON THE SHIFT LEVER. THE ENGINE STALLS AND I LOOSE POWER STEERING. POWER BRAKING ALSO SEEMS DECREASED AS I WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM RUNNING INTO THE CENTRAL ISLAND OF THE ROUNDABOUT. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED REPAIRS, BUT IS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG (3 SEPARATE ADMISSIONS FOR SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM OVER LAST 9 MONTHS). COMPUTER ERROR CODES RETURNED WERE 301,302,303,304. AS OF TODAY THE CAR IS AT THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR THE SECOND DAY THIS EPISODE. *JB

DRIVING IN RAIN WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. WIPERS CROSSED AND MADE A "X" THEN TWISTED AND MALFUNCTIONED. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 IMPREZA. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT LOCKS UP RIGHT AWAY AND TIGHTENS TO THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES STOP WORKING AND GET CAUGHT UP IN EACH OTHER, THE BOLT NEED TO BE TIGHTENED MANY TIMES, HAS ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. *TR

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE (NEW), THERE HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR WINDOWS. SOMETIMES IT IS SO BAD, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS (ESPECIALLY WITH LIGHT REFLECTIONS AND SUNSETS, ETC.). MY DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT IT HAS HAD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I HAVE TRIED CLEANING THE WINDOWS WITH CLEANERS AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. THE PROBLEM IS EVEN WORSE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS BEING USED MORE OFTEN. TO DATE, MY DEALER (AS WELL AS A DIFFERENT ONE) HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT LIMITS VISIBILITY FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING AND WOULD ALMOST DIE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THEN STARTED BLOWING SMOKE OUT TALE PIPE. CAR HAD 3400 MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS RINGLAND/PISTON FAILURE. *TR

SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST, ROUGH IDLE, OIL CONSUMPTION WERE MY FIRST SIGNS. THE DEALER WOULDN'T DO A COMPRESSION CHECK ON THE MOTOR SINCE THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, SO I HAD TO PAY WITH MY OWN CASH AND TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT IN FACT CYLINDER #2 HAD A SHOT RINGLAND. THEY REPLACED THE PISTON BUT THE MOTOR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RIGHT STILL SINCE I HAVE A CAR THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A "STOP SALE" THAT INVOLVED SOME ENGINES HAVING SOME DEBRIS IN THE MOTOR AND WAS CAUSING KNOCKING AND THROWING BEARINGS. SUBARU SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK BUT DIDN'T. *TR

A FOG KEEPS DEVELOPING ON THE INTERIOR FRONT WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS WHICH IMPAIRS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF THIS FOG WHILE THE DEFROST IS RUNNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK THAT LIMITS THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. *TR

CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVEWAY .THE HORN STARTED BLARING AND HEADLIGHTS CAME ON. NOT CAR ALARM. INTERIOR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT THEN TRIED TO OPEN CAR WITH REMOTE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. HAD TO USE KEY TO UNLOCK DOOR. FIRE ORIGIONATED FROM GUAGES/DASH AREA ON DRIVERS SIDE. THERE WERE SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS FROM CAR AS IT BURNED. HORN CONTINUED TO BLARE AFTER FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED FIRE. FIRE FIGHTERS THEN PRIED INTO HOOD AND CUT BATTERY CABLES BEFORE HORN STOPPED BLARING. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. *TR

SERIOUS WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE OF ENTIRE LINKAGE SYSTEM CAUSED BY A HOLD DOWN NUT COMING LOOSE FROM MAIN LINKAGE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAIN STORM WHEN BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. SHE NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO PLACE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHE LOST TOTAL VISIBILITY. THE 2008 IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY SIMPLY TIGHTENING THE HOLD DOWN NUT WHICH CAME LOOSE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FROM A NEW CAR THAT WAS RATED THIS TOP SAFETY PICK. THE CAR HAD 9800 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED.*TR

ON NOV. 20, 2008, FLATIRONS SUBARU AND SUBARU OF AMERICA SOLD ME A NEW 2008 IMPREZA WRX STI WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. ON DEC. 15, 2008, WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE (THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD). AS I WAS DRIVING CAUTIOUSLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO OTHER VEHICLE, EXCEPT MINE, SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HEADLIGHT. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD HAD FEWER THAT 650 MILES ON ODOMETER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR ON DEC. 17, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOSE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER IN REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY WROTE TO ME STATING THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT THAT ONLY OCCURS IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER, AND SUBARU PERFORMS MOST OF THE INSPECTIONS AT THE FACTORY ON NEW CARS. THE DEALER PERFORMS A VERY LIMITED INSPECTION WITH A QUICK TEST DRIVE BEFORE THE SALE. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE BRAKES DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY ON DEC. 22, THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DEFECT OR FOR NOT PROPERLY INSPECTING THE CAR PRIOR TO SELLING IT TO ME. THE ONLY RESPONSE I HAVE RECEIVED FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA IS THAT I SHOULD TAKE UP MY DAMAGE WITH MY INSURANCE CARRIER. IF SUBARU CAN CONTINUE TO SELL POORLY INSPECTED CARS WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES WITHOUT ANY CONSEQUENCES, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THAT'S NOT FAIR TO ME AND CERTAINLY NOT FAIR TO ANY PERSON WHO WRECKS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE DEFECT AND PERHAPS INJ

MY 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS DEVELOPED A FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSES A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. I AM UNABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT OR WITH ON COMING CARS WITH LIGHTS ON. IT HAS BEEN TO A DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE CLEANED IT BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS. IT IS DANGEROUS! *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT HEAD-ON MVC TRAVELING 35 MPH(AT TIME OF IMPACT). THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS WEARING THE SEATBELT APPROPRIATELY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S HEAD MADE CONTACT WITH DASH. THIS PASSENGER DID SUSTAIN A MODERATE NECK INJURY PRESENTING THE FOLLOWING MORNING REQUIRING EVALUATION AND TREATMENT IN AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT CYCLES BETWEEN OFF AND ON WHEN A PASSENGER OF 100LBS IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. *TR

THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG PERIODICALLY TURNS OFF WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 125 LBS AND WHEN SHE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG WILL HAPHAZARDLY CHANGE FROM "ON" TO "OFF" WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE REMAINING IN THE "ON" POSITION. *TR

I FIND THE HID HEADLAMPS ON MY 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA STI TO BE AIMED AND/OR THROW A LIGHT PATTERN THAT IS DANGEROUSLY LOW. AT NIGHT, OBJECTS ONLY VERY CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE ARE LIT UP. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON UNLIT ROADS AT NIGHT, PARTICULARLY IN THE RAIN. AN INQUIRY WITH THE DEALER INDICATED THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE MADE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, BUT THAT THE HEADLAMPS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED BY THE DEALER, AND SUBARU HAS OFFERED NO SOLUTION. *TR

FRONT PASSENGERS SITTING CORRECTLY THAT WEIGH BETWEEN ~95 AND 120LBS DO NOT ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG OR THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

I OWN A 2008 WRX STI SUBARU THAT HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FACT THE DEALER COULD NOT PERFORM A CRITICAL ECM RECALL THAT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF ENGINE FAILURE. SUBARU REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER WARRENTY. THE CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE START ALSO HAD BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL PERIODICALLY STOP WORKING AND FAIL TO MOVE ALTOGETHER, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. HE MUST PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND MANUALLY PULL THE WIPERS DOWN WITH HIS HANDS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. MOST OF THE TIME THE WIPERS WORK NORMALLY, BUT DURING RAINY AND SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE FAILURE CAN CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY. THE SUBARU DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE, THERE WAS NOTHING TO REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000.

ALL-SEASON RUBBER FLOOR MATS FAIL, CREATING A CREASE WHICH CAN BECOME CAUGHT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *TR

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR TURNS OFF AND ON WHILE MY WIFE 5'1" 110 LBS SITS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY STATED THE SENSOR IS SET TO DETECT 80LBS. DEALERSHIP IS NOW STATING SENSOR IS SET TO 125 LBS AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON MY NEW 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK WHICH I PURCHASED JULY 27, 2008 IS SET FOR A 125 POUND PERSON ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. MY WIFE WEIGHS BETWEEN 120 AND 130 POUNDS SO THE BAG GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY. *TR

WHILE MY AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED DURING AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT GOT UNLOCKED AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

MY 24-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, WHO IS 5'2" AND WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 100 POUNDS, WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER HER WEIGHT AND SHUTS OFF THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG. BY MOVING AROUND AND ADDING WEIGHT TO THE SEAT WE WERE ABLE TO TURN THE AIRBAG BACK ON TEMPORARILY -- BUT WHEN SHE IS JUST SITTING IN THE SEAT AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD, HER WEIGHT IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE SENSOR. I CALLED THE SUBARU DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE THE CALIBRATION OF THE WEIGHT SENSOR. THE SENSOR CUTOFF IS UNREASONABLY HIGH; THERE ARE MANY ADULTS WHO DO NOT MEET THIS WEIGHT REQUIREMENT (A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNED UP MANY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH SUBARUS). THIS MISCALIBRATION COULD HAVE DANGEROUS -- EVEN FATAL -- REPERCUSSIONS. *TR