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).

- Shoreline, WA, USA

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!

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA