2003 Subaru WRX

60 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Feb 22, 2019Failure Feb 1, 2019Lake Zurich, ILFuel/propulsion system

   CAR WAS RECALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 2009 FOR A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD CAUSE AND ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. TO FIX IT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REMOVED AND 3 SHORT FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. WORK WAS DONE BY ALPINE AUTOMOTIVE IN LAKE ZURICH, ILLINOIS. I'VE REACHED OUT TO SUBARU WHO SAY THEY KNOW OF NO ISSUE. HOWEVER, I FOUND AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 2009 IN US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE WAS BEING EXTENDED BY 12 YEARS , WHICH PUTS THE CAR STILL IN WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE.. *BF

   NHTSA complaint 11181970
2. Filed Jan 17, 2018Failure Jan 2, 2018100,000 milesRocklin, CAFuel/propulsion system

   FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY ENGINE BLOCK COULD RESULT IN MY CAR ENGULFING IN FLAMES, NO RECALL FOR IT ON MY CAR BUT I SEE IT EVERYWHERE AND IT'S A SUPER COMMON PROBLEM. THE CABIN OF THE CAR ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE GAS USUALLY IN THE COLD, BUT WHEN I SMELL THE ENGINE IT SMELLS BADLY OF RAW GASOLINE.

   NHTSA complaint 11063189
3. Filed Aug 16, 2017Failure Nov 9, 2015110,000 milesColumbus, OHFuel/propulsion system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYERS AIRPORT SUBARU (LOCATED AT 401 N HAMILTON RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43213). THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DEMANDED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ UPDATED 10/25/2017*JS

   NHTSA complaint 11015766
4. Filed Nov 4, 2015Failure Oct 30, 2015105,000 milesChicago, ILFuel/propulsion system

   WHEN IT GET COLD OUT, THE FUEL LINE STARTS LEAKING AND THERE IS THE SMELL OF GAS IN THE CAR. THERE HAS BEEN A LIMITED RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE DEPENDING ON WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I LIVE IN A STATE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREA. THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT IT NO MATTER WHAT STATE I LIVE IN (ILLINOIS). THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND ASK THAT THEY FIX THIS ISSUE.

   NHTSA complaint 10788271
5. Filed Jun 12, 2015Failure Sep 20, 2013153,000 milesBelle Vernon, PASteering, Unknown or other, Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

   MY DREAM CAR DEMOLISHED IN SPLIT SECOND. COULD HAVE VERY EASILY DIED AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS WHEN I GOT THE CAR AND IT WAS NOT LISTED YET, THE STEEL FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN THE SNOW BELT STATES RUST OUT AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND OR CRASH. WELL IT DID BOTH TO ME AS WELL AS EXCELERATE MY CAR. I WAS ON A DATE THAT NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE. AND ON OUR WAY HOME, WE WERE COMING AROUND A SLIGHT BEND, I WAS GOING PROBABLY 35-40 MPH AND RIGHT WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL GOING AROUND THE BEND I HEARD A CRACK/THUD NOISE AND INSTANTLY I SWEAR ON MY DADS GRAVE THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED, IT WAS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF CONTROL, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IT KEPT GOING THE SAME WAY AS THE TURN, AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT ABOUT 3 1/2 FEET TALL THE FRONT DOOR OPENED SOMEHOW WHEN I HIT. IT BENT THE COMPLETE DOOR UP AND LOOKED LIKE A LAMBORGHINI DOOR. LUCKILY WE HAD ARE SEAT BELTS ON! THE CAR THE PROCEEDED TO FLIP ON TO ITS ROOF. BACK, FRONT SIDE WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. BOTH UPSIDE DOWN IN AWE. MADE SURE SHE WAS OK. SHE WAS CUT UP ON HER ARM AND HAD SEATBELT MARKS. AS FOR ME I KNOW I HIT MY HEAD BAD BUT I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER, IT HAPPENED SO FAST AND UNPREDICTABLE! I HAD THAT CAR PAID OFF. LOVED IT SO MUCH BUT I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED I WAS NEVER AWARE OF THE RECALL. I LOOKED UP MY VIN THE DAY OR SO AFTER, AND IT SAID THE CONTROL ARMS WERE NEVER REPLACED. A MONTH OR SO LATER I CHECK AGAIN, AND IT SAYS THEY WERE FIXED.. NOW COME ON, THAT'S A LITTLE WEIRD AND CONVIENENT IF I SO HAPPENED TO SUE SUBARU. I ALSO HAD MY CAR AT A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER 3 MONTHS BEFORE FOR A OVERALL MAINTENANCE CHECK AND LOOK OVER... WHY DID THEY NOT KNOW, WHY DID THEY NOT EVEN SEE THE CORROSION. I WAS SO IN SHAMBLES AFTER THE WRECK, THAT WHEN THE INSURANCE GUY CAME TO LOOK AT MY CAR IT WAS TOTALED OBVIOUSLY. I TRIED POINTING OUT WHAT HAPPENED, HE REALLY COULD OF CARED LESS.

   NHTSA complaint 10725033
6. Filed Jan 7, 2015Failure Jan 7, 2015164,000 milesCentreville, VAFuel system, Gasoline

   IN COLD WEATHER THE FUEL LINES LEAK ON THE 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX! THERE WAS A LIMITED RECALL IN CERTAIN NORTHERN STATES, HOWEVER IT GETS COLD IN MANY STATES WHERE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CAR HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE B/C I CAN SMELL THE GAS WHICH MEANS THERE IS THE DANGER OF IGNITION. SUBARU KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL CARS AFFECTED. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10670820
7. Filed Feb 4, 2014Failure Feb 3, 2014127,000 milesFenton, MOFuel system, Gasoline

   ON THE MORNING OF FEB 3, 2014 I STARTED MY CAR AND IT SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF RAW GAS. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE TOW COST $84.70. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT MORNING THAT SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL BEGINNING DECEMBER 31, 2009 FOR 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU WRXS WHERE THE FUEL LINE LEAKS IN EXTREME COLD. UNFORTUNATELY, THE RECALL INCLUDED ONLY 16 STATES, AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO THE OTHER 34 STATES NOT NAMED IN THE RECALL (I RESIDE IN ONE OF THE 34 FOR THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY"). I PROMPTLY PHONED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE, [XXX], ADVISED ME TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE OVER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. CONSIDERING THIS IS TALKING ABOUT RAW GAS AND AT LEAST ONE FIRE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN RELATION TO THE RECALL, I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS SUGGESTION. BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP AFFIRMED THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE RECALL. AFTER DIRECTLY TELLING [XXX] I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS DANGEROUS (THE RECALL EVEN STATES THAT IT IS DANGEROUS!), SHE AGREED TO CALL HER DISTRICT MANAGER THEN RETURN MY CALL. THIS IS NOT THE WHOLE OF MY CONCERN. WE HAVE HAD COLDER WEATHER ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES THIS YEAR AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR THE ISSUE BY SUBARU, AND I GATHER OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT AS WELL AND THEIR SAFETY COULD BE AT RISK. WHILE IT WOULD BE IDEAL FOR SUBARU TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE, I ULTIMATELY HOPE THEY WILL NOTIFY ALL 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU WRX OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE! THIS IS NOT JUST A SMALL OPTIONAL RECALL, BUT ONE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO DRIVERS, THEIR PASSENGERS AND FELLOW DRIVERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10562885
8. Filed Jun 24, 2010Failure Jun 19, 201031,000 milesMorgonton, GAEngine and engine cooling

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL FROM THE AVCS LINE AND WOULD LEAK ONTO THE MANIFOLD, CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10339906
9. Filed Jan 6, 2010Failure Jan 5, 200953,000 milesStafford, TXFuel system, Gasoline

   FUEL LINE LEAKS RAW GASOLINE FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER. GAS FUMES ARE OVERPOWERING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD OF FIRE/ EXPLOSION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10298393
10. Filed Nov 25, 2009Failure Aug 15, 200980,000 milesTucson, AZFuel system, Gasoline

    OCCASIONALLY MY WRX SMELLS LIKE RAW GAS. THREE TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING TO MT. LEMON, UP A VERY STEEP ROAD, I HAVE HAD A VERY STRONG (UNBEARABLE) GAS SMELL ENTER THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I AM JUST "OVERFILLING THE TANK," HOWEVER, I NEVER TRY TO FILL THE TANK BEYOND THE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF POINT ON THE GAS PUMP. I HAVE ALSO SMELLED GAS OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING BUT NEVER AS STRONG AS WHEN I DRIVE TO MT. LEMON. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10293620
11. Filed Nov 17, 2009Failure Feb 15, 2009128,305 milesDanville, CATires

    THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR CRASH. THIS IS AN ONGOING SAFETY PROBLEM WITH A MODEL OF TIRES. THE TIRES ARE KUMHO SPT 225/45R-17. THESE TIRES HAVE SERIOUS DIRECTIONAL STABILITY ISSUES. THEY MAKE THE CAR VERY SCARY TO DRIVE IN CROSS WINDS. IN CORNERS, THE CAR ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IT IS SQUIRMING AROUND AND YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT DIRECTION IT IS GOING TO GO. I'VE ALIGNED THE CAR TWICE, BOTH TIMES ADDING MORE REAR TOE IN TO INCREASE STABILITY. THIS HAS HAD ALMOST NO EFFECT. I'VE TRIED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TIRE PRESSURES. HIGHER PRESSURES (ABOVE 40PSI) HELP, BUT DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I'VE USED SEVERAL OTHER TYPE AND BRAND OF TIRES ON THE CAR AND NEVER HAD ANY STABILITY ISSUES WITH ANY OF THEM. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE COMPONENTS IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I'VE SPENT OVER ONE MONTH WITH KUMHO TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. IN THAT TIME, I HAVE RECEIVED A SINGLE ONE SENTENCE RESPONSE TO MY E-MAILS. KUMHO HAS REPEATEDLY NOT RETURNED THE MAJORITY OF MY PHONE CALLS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, AS THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST IN HELPING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM OR EVEN LOOKING AT THE TIRES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10292632
12. Filed Nov 12, 2009Failure Nov 5, 200889,000 milesCleveland, OHFuel system, Gasoline

    2003 SUBARU WRX, RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN BEFORE ENGINE IS WARM AND COOLANT TEMPERATURES ARE WARM. HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF THE SMELL. SEEMS LIKE IT'S A POPULAR PROBLEM FOR THE CARS IN THIS PRODUCTION RANGE. FIRST NOTICED IT ON THE DATE SHOWN BUT OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 50F. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10291926
13. Filed Oct 29, 2009Failure Dec 10, 200885,000 milesWest Newbury, MAFuel system, Gasoline

    I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU WRX WAGON. AS TEMPERATURES APPROACH FREEZING THE FUEL LINES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE BEGIN TO LEAK, HEAVILY, DURING COLD START UP. THIS CAUSES RAW FUEL SMELL TO ENTER THE CABIN AS WELL AS CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION WITH RAW FUEL OPENLY POOLING ON THE ENGINE. SUBARU AND THEIR DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND IT IS FIXABLE, HOWEVER IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD - A VERY LABOR INTENSIVE JOB - WHICH MAKES IT A COSTLY REPAIR FOR THE CONSUMER TO BEAR. I ACQUIRED THE CAR LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THROUGHOUT LAST WINTER AND HAS RECURRED ALREADY ONCE THIS FALL. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10290208
14. Filed Mar 13, 2009Failure Jan 10, 200960,000 milesNorth Royalton, OHFuel system, Gasoline

    I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 2003 SUBARU WRX. VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING COLD WEATHER STARTUP. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED THIS WINTER. YES SUBARU OF AMERICA IT'S HAPPENING ON THE 2003 MODELS ALSO. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME DIRECTION AS HOW TO PROCEED WITH THIS DEVELOPING SAFETY PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THANK YOU. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10261738
15. Filed Feb 17, 2009Failure Feb 16, 200982,000 milesVilla Park, ILEngine and engine cooling

    TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT GAS LEAK. SPECIFICALLY THE FUEL RAIL HAD SOMETHING LIKE 16 LEAKS. WHILE I NEVER HAD AN ENGINE FIRE THE POSSIBILITY FOR THAT HAPPENING WAS VERY REAL. THIS IS MY FAMILY CAR, WHICH I TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN IN. FROM READING OTHER EXPERIENCES ABOUT THIS I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE A FLAW IN DESIGN WITH THE 2003 SUBARU WRX. I WOULD HOPE THAT SUBARU WOULD VALUE ITS CUSTOMERS SAFETY AND MAKE A SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10258934
16. Filed Dec 7, 2008Failure Dec 4, 200855,000 milesChicago, ILFuel system, GasolineFire

    I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU WRX. MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING A FEW DAYS AGO IN THE ENGINE BAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 30 DEGREES THE INSIDE CABIN STARTS TO STRONGLY SMELL LIKE RAW FUEL. THE VAPORS CAN CAUSE HARMFUL AND EVEN DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT ITS A WIDELY COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARU WRX'S FROM 2002 TO 2004. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND GOT THE CAR EXAMINED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE GAS LINES INTACT WERE VERY LOOSE. HE SAID THAT THE DURING HIGH FUEL PRESSURE THE FUEL LINES COULD SEPARATE AND CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S A BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE $500 ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER FUEL ISSUE WITH ANOTHER SUBARU MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V303000). THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAD A RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOOSE CLAMP AT THE FILLER CAP THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE FUEL LEAK IN THE WRXS? THE LEAK HAPPENS VERY CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. ANY TYPE OF HEAT OR IGNITION COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EVEN DEATH! PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10251008
17. Filed Sep 18, 2008Failure Nov 1, 200665,000 milesWhiteford, MDFuel system, Gasoline

    I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO THE INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING FUEL LEAKS IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SUBARU IMPREZA WRX MODELS. I PURCHASED A WRX IN FEBRUARY OF 2003. LIKE OTHER REPORTS, MY CAR INITIALLY EMITTED A FUEL ODOR ONLY ON COLD DAYS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP, BEL AIR SUBARU, TO HAVE THE PROBLEM INVESTIGATED. THEY INFORMED MY THAT I HAD A FAULTY FUEL LINE, REPLACED THE FUEL LINE, AND CHARGED ME $800.00. THE FOLLOWING WEEK I STILL SMELLED FUEL. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANOTHER LEAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE SALES MANAGER TO "WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO FULLY MANIFEST ITSELF." IN THE MEANTIME, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON YOUR WEBSITE. MY INTERPRETATION OF THE REPORT WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, SO I INITIALLY DROPPED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED, THE FUEL LEAK BEGAN TO OCCUR EVEN IN WARM WEATHER AND EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. NOW, APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS FROM THE INITIAL REPAIR, I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE A LEAK IN MY FUEL HOSES. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE REPAIR ISSUE THAT DID NOT EXIST WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR THE FIRST TIME. AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF $800.00 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. I AM RELUCTANT TO SPEND $800.00 MORE DOLLARS TO TRY TO ELIMINATE THE FUEL LEAK AFTER THE RESULTS I GOT LAST TIME. IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE FUEL LEAKS IN THESE VEHICLES PROGRESS TO A LEAK THAT IS NO LONGER SIMPLY A COLD WEATHER PROBLEM, IS THIS NOW CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE? SUBARU HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL IN HELPING ME SOLVE THIS DILEMMA. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10242845
18. Filed Aug 20, 2008Failure Aug 19, 2008121,929 milesDanville, CAEngine and engine cooling, SteeringFire

    AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE DIED AND FLAMES ABOUT 2' TALL SHOT OUT FROM BETWEEN THE HOOD AND COWL AND OUT OF THE INTERCOOLER INLET IN THE CENTER OF THE HOOD. THE FLAMES WERE FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 10 SECONDS OF A HUGE SMOKE CLOUD. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 90 SECONDS TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND GET THE FIRE PUT OUT. I EXAMINED THE DAMAGE. THE PRESSURE SIDE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE SHEET METAL HEAT SHIELD OVER THE TURBOCHARGER. AFTER A WHILE, THE RELATIVE MOTION AND HEAT RUBBED A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE POWER STEERING HOSE THEN PUMPED POWER STEERING FLUID ALL OVER THE TURBOCHARGER, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, HEAT SHIELDS, HOOD, FIREWALL, ETC. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FLUID HIT THE HEAT SHIELDS AND EXHAUST, IT STARTED BURNING AND THIS CAUSED THE FIRE. I HAVE NOT FINISHED REPAIRING THE VEHICLE YET SO I DON'T KNOW THE COMPLETE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. AT THIS POINT, AT LEAST THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND FLUID NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE PRESSURE SIDE POWER STEERING HOSE HAS NO BRACKETS TO HOLD IT IN POSITION WITHIN ABOUT 1' OF THE TURBOCHARGER HEAT SHIELD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOSE IS RUBBER. THERE IS NO HEAT SHIELD OVER IT. IT IS GUARANTEED TO RUB AGAINST THE HEAT SHIELD AND FAIL THIS WAY. THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE ALSO HAS NO BRACKETS WITHIN 1' OF THE TURBOCHARGER HEAT SHIELD, BUT IT DOES AT LEAST HAVE A CORRUGATED ALUMINUM HEAT SHIELD OVER IT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10239073
19. Filed Jan 14, 2008Failure Jul 1, 20033,000 milesState College, PACruise control

    THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT ON MY CAR WILL CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN OPEN, EVEN IF THE CRUISE IS TURNED OFF. THIS CAN RESULT IN ANYTHING FROM HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE TO RANDOM INSTANCES OF WIDE OPEN, UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS FOR A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 YEARS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. ALL APPLICABLE TSB'S AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10214827
20. Filed Apr 16, 2007Failure Mar 30, 200637,000 milesCincinnati, OHUnknown or other

    DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT WILL NOT STAY IN METAL ROD DESIGNED TO KEEP THE MAT FROM GOING FORWARD. MAT SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE PETALS AND HAS WORN THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE FLOOR AS WELL. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10188063