10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #7

Aug 262020

Impreza

  • 101,000 miles
Several hours after having work performed on my car, I was turning left from one road to another, both with speed limits around 40 mph. While turning left and simultaneously shifting from 4th to 2nd gear. While traveling about 15 mph in the middle of the turn, the steering wheel locked and I became aware that the car had stalled. I had to pull the emergency brake to stop the car and skidded off the road, which caused the car behind me to brake suddenly in the middle of an intersection. I was able to restart the car immediately. Immediately after the incident, I had the car thoroughly inspected and no mechanical issues were found. The reason suspected for this was due to a design flaw in the throttle position sensor, which in certain Subaru can reset after the car's battery has been disconnected (to perform service on the car, in this case). When the sensor is reset, the car will tend to stall when the rpms drop, either when coming to a stop light or downshifting in manual transmission cars. This is a known issue reported by many owners and mechanics. I was advised by a Subaru dealer that the Subaru relearn idle procedure needs to be performed to restore proper idle performance after the battery has been disconnected. I have experienced my car stalling several times over the years due to this issue, but never before while the car was in motion. It has been inspected multiple times and no mechanical issues related to this issue have been found. I believe this is extremely dangerous, in particular in cases where the car can stall while in motion and especially while turning, as it can easily cause a serious accident. Further, this is not a highly predictable issue and it's not always clear to me as the owner of the car when the relearn idle procedure needs to be performed.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 292019

Impreza

  • 155,000 miles
I called Subaru almost 5 months ago when I came across there was a recall on brakes since we were having the issue of the brakes flashing and the vehicle not shifting. Manufacturer recall #: wue90 on 2-28-19. NHTSA recall #: 19V149000. When I called they said they did not have the parts yet to fix. On 8-29-19 the car was in an accident and brakes light was chiming and flashing earlier and may be related to why it did not stop in time and was involced in a rear end crash when driver in front slammed on brakes. A auto shop then tells me after the car was reported in the accident sommers Subaru called them on 9-4-19 to tell the car had a brake safety recall. I have made a previous complaint about this vehicle on 4-19-19. Complaint # 11197303

- Wauwatosa, WI, USA

problem #5

May 012017

Impreza

  • 90,000 miles
The firewall welds have failed and broken, resulting in structural failure of the clutch and brake pedal mounts. This leads to the clutch not being able to be fully and properly depressed, resulting in hard gear shifts, grinding, excess transmission wear, as well as the brake pedal and clutch pedal moving when depressed, which is obviously a safety hazard if the pedals move where they shouldn't without being purposefully adjusted. When the clutch is depressed, the brake pedal moves to the left, toward the clutch pedal at least an inch. This is an incredible safety hazard because in an emergency situation, if the brake needs to be applied while the clutch is depressed, the brake pedal is not where it should be and can be missed by my foot while trying to apply the brake quickly. There is also an incredibly distracting and annoying squeaking sound every time the clutch is depressed. Subaru is well aware of this problem as it is relatively common. However, they quoted me $900 to fix it. This is a manufacture defect and something that should be taken care of by the manufacturer. My car has approximately 105, xxx miles with the problem starting at 90, xxx miles.

- Lindsay, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 012018

Impreza

  • miles
During normal use of the clutch on the street, the firewall welds brake off causing the firewall to bend. Also effects the clutch pedal making it 'click' if not fixed can cause more damage.

- Lyons, IL, USA

problem #3

Aug 052017

Impreza

  • miles
Clutch weldings on firewall cracking and causing malfunction of brake pedal. Lost of the ability to shift up or down.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #2

Mar 072017

Impreza

  • 130,000 miles
Broken firewall clutch bracket welds.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #1

Nov 072012

Impreza

  • miles
Fire wall where the clutch master cilinder sits moves in and out when clutch is depressed making a cracking noice, and causing fire wall metal tomexpand

- Chatsworth, CA, USA