Front Suspension Control Arm problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza

Hello, I hope this message finds you safe and well. My problem is as follows: control arm failure exactly as described in previous recall from 2011 (lower control arm broke at hangar bracket; safety recall: wvx34|NHTSA campaign: 11v464000). I was never personally notified of the recall, the catastrophic failure leading to a near accident at highway speeds is what alerted me to the problem. I was driving straight, approximately 50mph, when the hangar broke compromising the steering and causing me to nearly crash. According to Subaru of America, they 'fixed' the problem with a rust-proofing spray, and are denying me any good faith repairs citing that it was addressed, despite the fact that it failed anyways and subjected myself and others to potential severe personal injury. After many (not returned) phone calls, they have told me they would look at it (incurring 'assessment fees') and the woman I spoke with today from Subaru of America told me they would offer minimal if any financial support for the issue. All I want is my vehicle to function as the manufacturer intended, not for someone to slap a bandaid on the issue, call it 'fixed' and basically give me - a loyal customer to Subaru - the finger. This is totally unacceptable for a company to behave in this manner, especially for a problem that was clearly incorrectly addressed to begin with. My car has been sitting for almost 2 weeks and is not driveable. I am incurring intense psychological and financial burden from not being able to utilize my vehicle to carry out tasks that are required of me as a medical student. I have invested significant time and energy into this, only for soa to feed me the same line of bs that they're not at fault and they've 'fulfilled their obligation' for this recall. Attached is a picture of the affected control arm (front passenger).

Safety recall: wvx34 I had this work done at a dealership. They did a punch test. The lower control arms passed on July 9, 2019 and were undercoated at 192630 miles. Today August 10, 2019 the passenger side control arm broke while driving at 70 mph. I was able to safely get the vehicle home and towed to the dealership. They were unable to tell me if this would be covered or I will have to pay for the repair. I am concerned Subaru's actions regarding this issue are inadequate.

Nhtsa campaign id 11v464000 (Subaru safety recall wvx-34) covers 2002-2007 Imprezas, as well as other models. The safety recall covers cars registered in 20 rust belt states. My vehicle has never been registered in those states, so it is technically not covered, but it is driven there regularly since we live only a few miles away. Subaru of America did not treat or replace my lower control arm since it technically didn't meet the recall criteria. The control arm broke due to rust while driving - control of the vehicle was luckily maintained at time of failure. The safety recall states "the front lower control arm may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion", which it did. The safety complaint here is that surrounding states for safety recalls that cover specific states. Vehicles, weather and road treatments do not stop at states borders. The vehicle was exposed to the same road treatments as vehicles in the neighboring states and failed, as predicted by Subaru.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. While reversing out of the driveway, the front lower control arm factured and seperated. Both front wheels turned outward and the front suspension failed, which lowered the front end of the vehicle to the ground. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) and NHTSA action number: pe11011 (suspension). The vehicle was towed to the dealer (autobarn Subaru of countryside, 6191 joliet rd, countryside, IL 60525, (708) 497-3999) for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no open recalls to provide a remedy. No further assistance was provided other than suggesting that the dealer replace the parts. The failure mileage was not available.

The front passenger side control arm broke into two pieces causing loss of control of the vehicle. This caused the right from tof the vehicle to drop down, it caused the tire to contact the fender at rear of wheel opening and caused the front wheels to point in two different directions. The occurred on a city street (luckily) while backing and turning after exiting a driveway. There is a recall, but it allowed Subaru to "inspect" the control arm back in 2011 and not replace it, which allowed it's failure anyway and so was ineffective.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. While driving 30 mph, the lower control arm rusted and fractured, the front passenger side wheel began bouncing uncontrollably, and the steering wheel began moving and vibrating uncontrollably. The contact forced the vehicle off the road and into a ditch on the left side of the road on a two lane highway. The vehicle was towed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) was already inspected on the vehicle. It was determined that the lower control arm did not need to be replaced. The failure mileage was 163,000.

I brought my Subaru Impreza 2001 wagon in for oil change into my Subaru service on 11/4/2016. I was informed that the front subframe was rusty and they could stick a screw driver through a hole. I was able to leave with the car but they were concerned for the future and recommended repairing if we are keeping the car. I have already had the control arm replaced before the control arm recall on this model due to excessive rust; luckily it broke in a parking lot and not at high speed. This is logically the same issue where the front subframe part did not get treated well enough just like the control arm that caused the recall. Please make Subaru cover this as a recall. I would like to keep this car for more years to come, but the cost of the subframe part, that should not be this rusted out, is as much as the blue book value of the car. Plus I searched up "subframe" here on the site for Subarus from 2000 through 2005 and found 31 complaints; and that is obviously people that took the time to come to this site. How many complaints does it take to hold a car company accountable for a defect that is clearly the same issue as another part that has already been recalled?.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. While turning into the driveway at approximately 2 mph, the front passenger side wheel collapsed from the axle and fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lower control arm was rusted and fractured without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Recent tire rotation at my local garage identified very badly corroded subframe on the right had side. The left side subframe appears fine. I am debating whether to get it repaired because I will cost roughly 50% of the cars value. From a safety perspective I will probably get the work carried out because my kids travel in the car and I don't want a catastrophic failure to occur. It's disappointing that Subaru didn't consider this issue at the same time as the control arm recall although perhaps there was no corrosion at the time.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the front passenger side lower control arm suddenly failed causing the passenger side of the vehicle to lower. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that there was a fuel odor present while operating the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed of repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Vehicle had recall campaign for rust on front lower control arms performed (among the first cars fixed in the campaign), and the lower control arms and lower subframe are badly rusted, rendering the car unsafe. Subaru dealer recommended contacting Subaru of America (soa) and soa declined to help at all. This is a failed recall repair, since the problem is exactly what it was recalled for.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while backing out of a parking space heard a loud noise. The contact stopped and got out of the vehicle to find the front passenger side wheel was not in place and the lower control arm was fractured in half. The vehicle was left at a parking lot. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2012 for a recall on the lower control arm issued by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired this time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,000. Bp.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed that the front driver's side control arm had slightly detached from the vehicle due to corrosion. The vehicle was a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired . The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) . The failure mileage was 131,390. Oo.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. After taking possession of the vehicle, it was discovered that both the front driver and passenger side control arms fractured due to severe rusting and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 90,000.

The right front control arm sheered in half while driving at speed. Later inspection revealed it was due to corrosion. A recall was issued for this exact same part on September 10, 2011, and the recall was complied with on this car in 2012, yet the part still failed in a dangerous condition less than two years later.

The 2002 Subaru Impreza is subject to a recall on its control arms (NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000). Our car's passenger side control arm corroded to the point of failure about 1. 5 years ago. Now we have discovered the same level of corrosion on a nearby part, also on the front passenger side. We discovered that the engine cradle (aka k-frame, aka front crossmember) is showing severe corrosion, similar to that shown by the control arm that previously corroded through and broke on our car. Our understanding is that it is hard to predict what would happen should this part fail, but would pose a significant danger particularly if it happened at high speed. The similarity between the corrosion of our control arms and now our engine cradle exceeds that of normal wear and tear. This was the reason that the control arms were previously recalled.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v464000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm). The contact stated that the dealer bolted the recalled component to the sub-frame, which was rusted. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could separate from the wheels due to the stress on the rusted component. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.

Extreme corrosion of front sub-frame. Fast onset. No sign of issue and then approx. Less than 1 year later total penetrating corrosion was visible in an area of it. Was noticed during completion of an existing safety recall due to excessive corrosion and failure of the lower control arms. Can provide digital photos of the issue upon request.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru impreeza wrx. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v464000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm). In addition to the repairs, the dealer stated that the subframe also needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The manufacturer was notified, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 290,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance when the technician advised that the front lower control arm was corroded. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11v464000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

The front passenger side control arm broke due to rust damage. Happened when backing out of the garage. Vehicle cannot be steered. Subaru has issued a recall for this exact issue for the same model year but has excluded my VIN number.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and reversing from the driveway, the front lower control arm had fractured. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that they were aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were approximately 100,000.

As I pulled into my driveway after work, everything seemed normal. The car had driven fine all the way home, including on the highway. A few hours later when I went out to the car to leave, is when I found the problem. As I began to back up the car began making a shuddering sound, and backed up crooked. It felt like something in the drivetrain was binding severely. I got out to check underneath with a flashlight, and I noticed the drivers side front lower control arm had separated into two pieces. This occurred where the front control arm bushing is attached to the rest of the control arm. Comparing side to side, the front wheels are not even close to parallel now. Luckily this did not result in an accident, as only a few miles prior I was cruising down the highway at 65 mph! I'm assuming the small bump at the end of my driveway is what finally caused the failure, but it just as easily could have been a bump or pothole on the highway.

See previous complaint w/same vehicle----failure of right side lower control arm on 1-14-2011 at odo 49093. This current complaint is failure of left side lower control arm on 8-28-11. 2002 Subaru Impreza 2. 5ts wagon with 51764 miles. Always best of preventative maintenance. Driving slowly on city street. Clunking sound from left front, difficulty steering. Recognized problem from previous failure of right side lower control arm. Returned to my driveway (less than a mile) and called wrecker. Repair cost: $458. 95. Contacted Subaru customer/dealer services----no acknowledgement of responsibility for this or previous failure. "out of warranty, you live in a snow/salt area, etc".

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza wrx. While driving less than 5 mph in the driveway, the front end of the vehicle collapsed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they stated that the front passenger side lower control arm was cracked. In addition, the front driver side lower control arm exhibited a stress hairline crack. The front passenger and driver side lower control arms were replaced on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 79,000.

Rt control arm failed while my daughter was north bound on the west side highway in nyc. She was able to control car and exit highway. Inspection by my machanic indicated the part had rusted away. I had him replaced both as I intended to trade it in and I didn't want to endanger anyone who might get the car. Car was traded in for a new Subaru in August 2010.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that water penetrated the radiator causing it to fail. The front subframe, front driver lower control arm, bushings, and ball joint were all corroded due to the water damage. The control arm broke in multiple pieces and resulted in loss of vehicle control. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic recommended that all of the parts be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 139,000. Updated 12/01/10. The consumer stated the water/puddle shorted out the engine fans which caused the vehicle to overheat and was not the cause of the rotted subframe. Updated 12/08/10.

2002 Subaru imprezza. Consumer states that the left steering control arm rusted and broke while driving. It was also noted the vehicle needed rear a cross member.

I was driving down us rt 2 in bolton vt when had sudden steering wheel wobble. Car then veered to the right and off the road. Car went about 20 feet off the road. I was very lucky that a field was to the right. After getting out, I noticed that the left side front wheel was sitting several inches too far to the rear, rubbing against the body. My mechanic indicated that a lower control arm was severely corroded and broke off of the front subframe. The subframe itself is also corroded. This is only on the left side; the right side is fine. The car's body is generally in good shape. I would not have expected this part to be at all weak or corroded. I have the old control arm. My mechanic is going to replace the corroded portion of the subframe. Updated 01/13/11 updated 02/14/11 updated 03/11/11 updated 03/14/11 updated 03/30/11.

Contact owns a 2002 wrx imperza. Current and failure mileage was 71,000. Contact stated while backing out of the driveway the driver side lower control arm broke in half due to rust. The manfacturer offered to pay for 50% of the repairs but the contact they should pay the total cost. Contact feels this is a safety issue because the vehicle could have been driving on the highway while the lower control broke and caused a crash. Jo updated 06/03/11.