Body problems of the 2004 Subaru Impreza

Door latching mechanism became detached from front driver door. Door partially opened unexpectedly. Once the door opened without initiation, it could no long be closed. Upon inspecting the latch mechanism attachment to the door frame, two of the three connection bolts (phillips head) were completely missing and the third remaining bolt was hanging by a single thread. This was an oem factory attachment that had never been modified or removed since the vehicle was first purchased.

There was observed rust on a small section of the rear quarter undercarriage of the car. Work was begun on July, 4 2013 to treat what was thought to be surface rust with por-15 rust inhibitor. When the car was on the lift and work began, it was observed that this small section on both the right and left side of the car was inadequacy protected by factory undercoating. This section was where support arms for both left and right rear wheels attach to the chassis. This section is rusted through and is showing signs of fatigue and cracking. The chassis attachment point front braces for the rear differential is fully rusted through. This area of the chassis shows no sign of damage, or abuse which would lead to rusting. The rest of the undercarriage is either rust free, or shows limited surface rust. The body panels of the car are rust free. In short, lack of proper rust treatment of key structural areas of the car, have resulted in severe corrosion, which has rendered the car unsafe in my (the owner's) opinion, as well as the opinion of the mechanic assisting in the inspection. I welcome any inspections by Subaru of America or the NHTSA.