SUBARU WRX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching

ENGINE

Oil changes always done, no modifications to vehicle. Driving down road lights all come one and car starts smoking. Rod broke and put hole in engine.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Shortly after purchase (within 1 month), a strong raw gasoline vapor odor began entering the passenger cabin, strongest near the driver’s side rear seat and rear wheel well area. The odor intensifies at idle and after short periods of driving, filling the interior cabin with fuel fumes. The smell is so strong that it causes dizziness and headaches when operating the vehicle. This is not an isolated occurrence — Subaru’s own service technicians were able to replicate the issue and confirmed the smell, but reported that smoke and pressure testing showed “no leaks.” Despite replacing the evaporative canister, purge valve, and fuel check valve, the problem persists. The dealership has admitted they cannot determine the source of the vapors. Safety Concern: This condition presents a serious safety hazard because: •Fuel vapors are toxic and pose an immediate health risk to occupants breathing them inside a closed cabin. •Gasoline vapors are highly flammable, creating a potential fire/explosion risk if vapors accumulate near ignition sources. •Subaru has suggested the condition is “normal under certain circumstances” and advised me to alter my driving habits (avoid idling, use engine braking). This is not an acceptable or safe resolution. Attempts to Remedy: •Vehicle has been at the Subaru dealership for over two weeks. •Multiple components in the evaporative emission system were replaced (canister, check valve, purge vent). •Subaru engineers have been contacted but no permanent fix has been provided. •Dealership admitted another customer reported a similar issue in a newer model, but stated it was “normal.” Summary: This is not normal vehicle operation. A car cabin filling with raw fuel vapor represents a defect affecting safety. Subaru has failed to remedy the issue despite multiple repair attempts, and is minimizing it rather than acknowledging it as a defect.

POWER TRAIN

2020 WRX: TR690 (CVT) transmission that the car came equipped with, began leaking between the engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noticed during an oil change at 71686 miles but not identified as (CVT) transmission fluid immediately, it was cleaned and assumed to be oil spill. Another oil change was done at 77576 miles, and the (CVT) transmission was leaking between engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noted before the oil was even drained. I looked up recalls from NHTSA and found none. Then looked at Subaru Service Bulletins and found Service Bulletin 16-103-16 that only covers 2015 MY through 2019 MY WRX with (CVT) transmission leaking at front pump/chain cover between the engine and (CVT) transmission. The coverage of the Service Bulletin extended the (CVT) transmission warranty to 10 years 100,000 miles, and my vehicle is within the current requirements to receive repairs with only 79000 miles, but is not listed because it is a 2020 WRX, the modle of WRX with the TR690 (CVT) transmission ran from 2015 MY through 2021 MY. My vehicle is also registered through My Subaru app and the Service Bulletins/Service Campaign page says no SBs or SCs are available, help is appreciated, thank you.

POWER TRAIN

When accelerating from a stop, the car is having trouble accelerating despite having the accelerator fully depressed. The engine sounds like it is roaring, but hardly any power is being produced. When the vehicle hits about 35-40mph, the engine surges and then full power is produced. It feels like potentially an issue with the turbo or the transmsission. This is creating a significant safety hazard as the vehicle is behaving unpredictable and could lead to an accident when having to accelerate into traffic or merge. The vehicle has already had 3 CVT transmission replacements under factory warranty. The vehicle currently has approximately 47,000 miles but is outside factory warranty now.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

The Drivers side mirror (LEFT) When sitting still is distorted and wavy if you look around in the mirror. It makes the earth bend or any objects in the mirror bend, the best way to put it when driving or sitting still it looks like a funhouse mirror. And once at about 40 MPH the Same mirror also vibrates while driving. The retailer I choose has replaced the mirror glass twice and the mirror housing once, it had done nothing to fix it.

SEATS

Manual (not power) Driver seat is loose-rocking car only has 47000 miles but this hardware failure will get worse over time definitely a safety concern if bolt breaks it appears that the plastic washer is wearing most likely poor material should be polyurethane or something like the form of a grommet that absorbs since vehicle has hard suspension NOTE: I have video however cannot create video < than 10mb

ENGINE

In October 2024, my vehicle, a 2021 Subaru WRX STI, was purchased from a Toyota dealership (Fort Bend Sterling McCall Toyota). The dealership sold the vehicle with an oil issue and a modified ECM. This issue caused catastrophic engine failure while driving. The vehicle stalled and could not be started. Subaru dealership technicians confirmed the cause as improper service leading to catastrophic oil starvation. The failure put both myself and others at risk, as the engine lost power mid-operation on a busy road. The vehicle was towed to a certified Subaru dealership, where it has been detained since December 2024. Despite being under warranty, repairs have been delayed for over 6 months due to blame disputes between the dealership, the manufacturer, and the extended warranty provider. There were no prior dashboard warnings or messages before failure, only loss of power and engine noise at the time of the incident. The vehicle has been fully inspected and documented by the Subaru service center, and all evidence has been preserved. I have been without a primary vehicle for over 7 months.

ENGINE

I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Subaru WRX, which is currently covered under the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty as well as an extended warranty. Subaru of Ontario, an authorized Subaru dealership, failed to properly diagnose or repair ongoing engine issues during multiple service visits. Despite documented problems, the vehicle was released to me in a condition that was unsafe to operate since their location did not have a loaner, fully aware of the issues at hand, exposing me and my family to serious risk while driving. As a result of this negligence, the engine has now deteriorated to the point of needing a full replacement. Subaru of Ontario is attempting to charge me $3,000 for an engine replacement, despite warranty coverage that should fully apply. The dealership has refused to acknowledge their failure in prior inspections or take accountability for releasing an unsafe vehicle back onto the road. I am reporting this as a vehicle safety hazard and potential warranty fraud, as the dealership’s actions directly led to unsafe operating conditions and are now being used as justification to deny coverage. I urge the NHTSA to investigate both this specific incident and whether this may reflect a larger pattern among Subaru service centers. I am prepared to provide service records, warranty documentation, dealership communications, and supporting evidence upon request.