3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,178 miles

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problem #5

Dec 112016

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 22,406 miles
Driving home on 12/11/16, the check engine, vehicle dynamics control, and cruise control indicators came on simultaneously. Check engine and vdc indicators were steady, but cruise control was blinking. The next morning when I started the car, the problem was still there so I immediately went to Subaru to have it checked out. They discovered code P1449: "evap system clugged check & found spider webs is evap drain & valve assy. Tech recommend replace evap drain & valve assy." They replaced evap drain & valve assembly and performed evap system clean reinstall which fixed the issue. Total cost $617.28 (416.50 for 3.5 hours labor, $41.16 for valve ay dra, $159.62 for valve ay elc). When I first got the car in Dec 2011, I purchased an extended warranty (gold plus) which covers 6 years or 60,000 miles with $0 deductible. Before fixing the problem above, they estimated it would cost me $600-$700 out of pocket since they said this problem was not covered under warranty because it was caused by a spider and not a part defect. I called Subaru's warranty department which said the same thing. I mentioned that Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, and Hyundai all had this problem a few years back and that Mazda and Suzuki had recalls, while Honda and Hyundai were covered under warranty. Subaru again stated that they do not cover it. After the fix, a service center advisor said he sees this problem a lot but unfortunately Subaru does not cover it. I asked how to prevent it from happening again and he said to spray peppermint oil occasionally around the fuel tank area below the car since the smell deters pests. I paid the bill to get my car. However, I believe a recall of some sort should be issued by Subaru to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again or at least have the problem be covered under warranty. I am filing a complaint to you and hope you can help me recover the cost.

- Forest Hills, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 022013

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
Driving about 30 - 35mph when all of a sudden the car lost power. The car did not stall, but engine went down to idle speed and my accelerator pedal had no throttle control. The "check engine " light came on as well as the "traction control" light. I drifted to the right shoulder of the road and turned engine off. After opening the hood to check engine - observed nothing unusual - I re-started the car. The car seemed back to normal, but the engine code lights stayed on. The warning lights eventually turned themselves off - 3 or 4 re-starts later. Subaru dealer reported a P2138 obd code, but he did not replace/repair anything. The same exact thing happened 9 months later (July 2, 2014), and Subaru dealer reported a P2138 code once again. No repairs or replacements done!

- East Islip, NY, USA

problem #3

May 232014

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
My daughter was driving the car after getting off work at !:30 am when the engine stalled and the car would not restart. From time to time since I purchased this car new, the engine would sputter while driving. It turns out that there was a cut in the fuel filter. Our mechanic said it was unlikely that it happened any time except when the filter and fuel pump were installed by the manufacturer. There are many complaints about this car using oil...mine does too.

- French Creek, WV, USA

problem #2

Sep 122012

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 6,175 miles
While driving in normal circumstances, engine power was lost, and complete loss of throttle control occurred. Car would accelerate extremely slowly, and not past 20-25 mph (presumably 'engine fail-safe mode'?). thankfully not on a high-speed road. Obd code was P2138, indicating a faulty accelerator position sensor, which was replaced by dealer under warranty.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #1

Jan 052014

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 34,310 miles
While driving in normal circumstances, engine power cut out, and complete loss of throttle control occurred. The car could only accelerate extremely slowly, and not past 20-25 mph. Thankfully not on a high-speed road. Managed to get home (barely), car worked fine the next day. Dealer found obd code P0128, reprogrammed ECM to remove the code. The same problem had occurred ~1 year previously due to a faulty accelerator position sensor (NHTSA complaint recently filed). Dealer claims causes are unrelated. This can be a serious safety concern if it occurs on a highway, we no longer feel safe driving this car.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA