Detroit...

I've found this site by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (i believe it only applies to US car owners). Lists all the service bulletins, recalls, etc. for many automobiles.

NHTSA Service Bulletin search

 

Hey All,

The only problem that I've had with my Wife's WRX is the Check Engine keeps popping up (second or third time) for a misfire in the #3 Cylinder. That and the I needed a new motor for the drivers side window. Other than that no problems.

 

uh oh, i've heard about subaru and the #3 problem before; get that checked out.

 

I have one problem with my WRX...it's not an STi :lol:

 

Actually, I do have a problem with my '03 WRX...it's sometimes difficult to put the shifter into reverse...anyone else have that problem?

 

I think difficulty of shifting into reverse is fairly common in some manual transmissions - I had a '85 Celica that you had to sometimes roll in neutral before reverse would engage. I have noticed some difficulty with my WRX and getting reverse, but not too often. Though I occasionally have problems getting it into third from second when accellerating hard - sometimes it can be quite notchy. Its a pain in the ass when stop-light dragging anmd you can't get it into gear. I hope that the new six-speed will be less notchy into third and reverse.

 

Yeah, the reverse thing is just the lack of synchros and being a straight cut gear. All manuals have that issue.

Try this.....with the clutch in, put the car in first gear first, then go to reverse. That usually helps. Or leave the shifter out of a gear and let the clutch out....this will spin the gears in the tranny and let them line up better.

 

Yeah, its a "problem" (characteristic?) with most manual transmissions. Like
CloNeGTS, putting it in first gear or second then going to reverse always works for me.

 

well i've found it helps not to be driving forward when you try to put the car in reverse. javascript:emoticon(':lol:')
http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

 

cant see ya link...
I hope you are not insuniation actually moving the car forward initially when tryng to engage reverse :-? The reference is to only drop it into first then immediately take it out and put it into reverse.

BTW, sometime it take me 2-4 tries to engage reverse even with this routine

 

I completely stop the car when I'm about to reverse...it's not like my auto tranny civic where sometimes I'm lazy and I still have some forward momentum when I decide to reverse...it jerks a little and probably isn't good for the car, but hey it's a civic. Still very reliable with over 86,000 miles on it and we all know it probably can run another 86,000 on it before it starts to give up

 

Do you own WRX made after
late spring 2002 ???

There is an issue with the front
calipersand rotors... not really a
problem, unless you try to upgrade
your brake rotors/caliprs, and/or
upgrade your front pads, or if you
need new front bleeder screws (still
no part #'s from FHI in either Canada
or USA).

The aforementioned cars have upgraded
front calipers and rotors... to address
the "weak" braking performance of the
WRX... possibly parts made for the new
2004 WRX (NOT STI) ???

How do I know ??? I tried to upgrade
the braking performance of my WRX...

Then a lot of head scratching, a bazillion
calls to Subaru parts depts in Canada and
USA, and finally a couple of RMA#'s...
you get my drift...

So, LEAVE IT ALONE.

Porterfield will have pads for these newer
cars by summer 2003... they are ahead
of the game.

 

In addition to my last posting re:
upgrading the brakes on post-spring 2002
WRX's... any aftermarket lines will
have to be "modified" to fit the new
calipers on the aforementioned cars...

Email me if you want the details...

It is in no way a modification that
compromises safety, it is just a little
mod to let the front banjo fittings clear
a locator lug...

Braking performance (feel, modulation
before ABS onset, etc...) after the lines
are installed (and are bled properly) is
improved markedly, even using just the
stock pads.

 

Strange thought

this moight help as far as not being able to shift to reverse sometimes.
put it into 3rd and then purt it into reverse. im sure it will be easier shift to reverse after that.

 

woah.....talk about digging a post out of the grave.

Alright....post finished already....

 

Two problems so far...both have occurred in other WRXs (buddy is a mechanic at Subaru):
1. Front windshield fit from factory can stress crack without impact by rocks, etc. Due to type of factory fit whereby the windshield is actually "flexed" slightly prior to gluing in place. Different expansion/contraction rates with window and window "frame" (body) can cause the windshield to crack.
2. Outside mirror retaining spring. Spring can break or dislodge from retaining mount, causing mirror to wobble in the wind. Needs new mirror package to fix, not just spring. BTW...a wooden golf tee fits nicely in the space between the mirror and the mirror mount to hold in place till SOA gets the mirror in...1 to 3 weeks for the wait.

As for the comment on the number 3 cylinder...check your spark plug or plug gap. Look for discoloration caused by misfire. Also plug wire may be bad (are your speakers talking to you as the revs change?) Spark is very important with the lower compression cylinders like ours.

Having owned 4 subaru SVXs, I have to say I'm impressed with the build qaulity and honesty of Subaru. Only repeat problems I ever had were wheel bearings (cars topped out at +150 mph...bearings didn't seem to like that for some reason) and again with a mirror problem...spontaneous combustion of heated mirrors. Talk about freaking out...try sitting in a snowstorm and suddenly your mirror goes "poof" and flames start licking out. Happened 3 different times...and each time a handfull of snow quickly dowsed the flames (and cracked the mirror!!).

Cheers,
Scott

 

Here we go....

I think WRX in general is a very solid car. But, few of us do have serious problem with it.

My problem with my WRX is with it's tranny in general. Especially shifting into first gear. When I engage first gear from complete stop or very low speed... say.. about 5mph, it acts as if I am not pressign the cluth. It gives out that awful grinding sound. I stopped taking chnces and double clutch all the time. It doesn't sound like a big problem. But this one time, the gear wouldn't engage on a uphill. I got so pissed.

I tried dealing with it through most of Subaru dealers in LA. Their services are horrible. I even got hooked up with SOA directly through my journalist friend. They totally didn't even care. I loved my WRX. But, her parents (SOA), I dont' know... I just don't trust that company at this point....
This is probably a good place to say that if you live in LA, goto Irvine Subaru. It's not that they are the most excellent dealer. But, compare to all the other Subaru dealers in LA, they are the best. I dont' even want to go into my car buying experience.

 

No offense....but that's the case with all manual trannies. I'd bet they didn't give you much service because they probably looked at the complaint and rolled their eyes. Not the best response, no, but there isn't a damn thing they can do for ya.

Double clutching is the only 'for sure' way to really get it into gear. Most manufacturers will tell you you shouldn't shift into first gear unless you aren't moving. If you are stopped and it doesn't go in, the tranny is just sitting with the dogs in a location where they won't slip in. Roll just a touch..that should to it. It will slide in when the dogs line up.

 

huh, canines?

 

I've had these problems with mine. I took delivery March 16th, 2001 so it was one of the first ones:

1) Check engine light resulting in the ECU being reprogrammed 3 times.
2) The ABS is insane. If I hit the brakes on snow or going over gravel, its as if I have NO brakes
3) Clutch chatter

 

D$, regarding the ABS problem, if you have no brakes (or close to it) when the ABS is activated, this means you have air bubbles in the ABS system. I don't know for Subaru's, but for Fords bleeding the ABS system requires a special tool (which I don't have). You should take it to the dealer - it's an easy fix.

 

- Had to have driver's seat re-tightened and loc-tited twice (I'm a big guy)
- Had to have radio unit replaced (shorted out -- possible coffe spillage) Tried to keep that sucker for the STI!!! It worked sometimes!
- The center console lid "catch" thingy broke off and the dealer can't seem to fix it...

And the number one complaint:

It is making an extremely ambiguous hummming / thrumming noise in the drivetrain... Can't isolate to front or rear...

Dealer says Bridgestone SO3 PP were "cupping"? But can't show me cupping or explain why they would be cupping...

A new one that has popped up this winter is smell of gasoline when starting in cold weather with heater control turned to inside air...

Dealer dismissed this as not important...

Basically. my dealer's service department sucks. I am looking for another place to take the car. I am kinda hoping that it burns up one morning so I can have the dealership replace it with a new one...

 

My attitude is that all cars will have an occational problem. Then it boils down to the quality of the dealer and their service department. This is where Subaru is sadly lacking. I have dealt with 6 dealers so far, and I hate to admit it, but none of them have won me over. I've reached the point where I have to pick the "least worst" as opposed to the best. In the past I have owned both new and old Fords, Volvos, and BMWs, and I must say that their service has always been superb. I am sure that it is possible I just had a run of bad luck when it comes to Subaru dealers, and there are no doubt excellent ones out there. If you have one, stick with them!

As for the trannies, the grinding noise going into first is a bad syncho. Whether is is a poor design or has been destroyed through misuse is debatable. But I have driven probably hundreds of manual transmission cars, from POS Hund(yie)s to six digit italian exotica and never had a problem with first gear like I do on my WRX. I don't feel that the tranny itself is weak, but I do feel that the synchros, particularly first gear, are not sufficient and wear out too quickly. My GF's '88 BMW with 160,000 miles on it doesn't grind when I downshift into first. Nor did my '89 SHO (which definately had a crappy tranny) with 190,000. Neither of these cars ever had a synchro replaced. If or when I ever replace the synchros on my WRX, it will not be with factory replacements.

 

No offense....but that's the case with all manual trannies. I'd bet they didn't give you much service because they probably looked at the complaint and rolled their eyes. Not the best response, no, but there isn't a damn thing they can do for ya.

Double clutching is the only 'for sure' way to really get it into gear. Most manufacturers will tell you you shouldn't shift into first gear unless you aren't moving. If you are stopped and it doesn't go in, the tranny is just sitting with the dogs in a location where they won't slip in. Roll just a touch..that should to it. It will slide in when the dogs line up.

Hey, Clone. I know what you mean when you say above things....

But, let me tell you few things...My brother also bought WRX (that's right!! we are Subbros. ha ha ha) His tranny feels way different than mine.

Like I said, there are few of us WRX owners with extra ordinary problems. I've compared the way my WRX handles with several "non-problem" WRXs. It's way... different. I never even heard of modern cars with synchro problems on a first gear from a complete stop. If i have to buy a car to do a double clutching all the time at complete stop or low speed, i rather buy old Alfa Romeo GTV.... at least, they are beautifully designed.

you see, I hope those of us, who brings up the issues of Subaru tranny, don't look like complaining kids. Having a solid tranny should be a standard for a any car makers. I am not complaining about a small cup holder or a bad sound system. This is about one of the most important thing about any cars.

Thus the point comes to...

My attitude is that all cars will have an occational problem. Then it boils down to the quality of the dealer and their service department. This is where Subaru is sadly lacking.

I love WRX... even with questionable design... But, Subaru really should shape up in terms of customer service. Or they are going to end up like Mitsu during 90's. SOA is already known for bad after-service. But, they are so quick to return calls when you ask question about purchasing a vehicle...

I have given up on trying to get SOA's attention about this issue... i just hope STI's tranny is way better than WRX's.

 

It appears that you younger guys have never driven a real manual trans muncie m-21 and m-22 and ford toploader trans all "buzz" a little when shfted fast if you didnt you werent shifting fast enough there are alot of factors involved engine twist body twist frame twist all these factors combined canmake it hard to get a smooth fast shift now throw in the clutch and sloppy shifter bushings its a wonder we can get from one gear to the next think about it the STI have a very close power to weight ratio to that of a mid sixtys muscle car actually my stock STI feels faster and is faster than my 69 z/28 shifts better too