Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Subaru Impreza - part 2

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 all problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

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".

Vehicle has severe vibration at speeds above 55mph. Tires have been road force balanced twice and soa TSB for steering column, steering wheel, control arms and various bushings have been installed. The car is worse than ever. Vehicle also "hunts" or shimmys on dry level highways creating an unsafe out of control feeling. Please investigate this.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

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.