10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 0 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.
The design of the anti-lock brake system (ABS) seems to overcompensate in icy or slick conditions, to the point that no significant braking occurs. This has caused the vehicle to sail through intersections during icy conditions numerous times. The system does not perform as other ABS systems such as Chrysler/Dodge. This problem is typical for those people driving in northern areas of the U.S. where winter condition exist. The problem appears to be a design defect, not a maintenance related issue. Constant or increased pressure on the brakes did not affect the outcome. Disengaging the servo to the ABS may be a safer option during winter conditions than to allow the ABS system to override driver braking control entirely. Subaru customer service (1-800-782-2783 attn:don) was contacted on 1/5/2000 and did not recognize this as a significant/chronic problem, but noted that they would log the complaint. Review of the NHTSA defects investigations points to this problem as being an ongoing and recurring theme.
- Rigby, ID, USA
When traveling 45 and mph upon applying the brake pedal to make a suden stop, vehicle continued to acclerate, causing extended stopping distance, resulting in an accident. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. Passenger side frontal damage to the front end. Consumer has contacted the dealer.
- Prescott, AZ, USA
- Lansdowne, VA, USA