2002 Subaru Impreza: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 17, 2011 · Suspension · 196,950 miles · CT

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.

Filed Feb 12, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 119,330 miles · MD

Tl*- the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza wr,x and stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel, and there was a raw fuel smell coming from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The fuel smell was stronger when the vehicle was running and the temperature was below 32 degrees. The contact currently has the vehicle at the dealership. The failure and current mileage were 119330.*ak the vehicle also had a coolant lead. The drivers side door regulator was inopertive, the clutch had a judder, there was problem with the ABS. Updated

Filed May 16, 2004 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · VA

I have a 2002 subaru impreza rs, this vehicle seems to be like lots of others, the vehicles shudders and jerks alot when I'm pulling off in the morning, evening, whether its cold or hot. I took it to shelors which wanted to tear it apart and charge me, when the car is still under warranty. This vehicle does this atleast 3 times a week. The car only has 35588 miles so actually its still under the new car warranty. I have a hard time sometimes getting the car into reverse (manuel trans.) I haven't had any acciden't as of this date so, I'm putting the date that I'm filling this out into the incident date box.

Filed Mar 20, 2004 · Transmission · LA

Clutch shudders in first and second gears until engine warms up (~20mins). Vehicle has less than 17,000 miles and this has been a problem since the first day of ownership. I brought the vehicle to the dealer and was told this was normal. I find that explanation unacceptable since many others have complained with the same problem. I find this to be a safety issue since I have to rev the engine up to get the clutch to engage, potentially lurching me into traffic and causing an accident.

Filed Sep 6, 2002 · Transmission · MI

The transmission shudders when the car starts from a stop, in first gear (from zero MPH), both when the engine is cold and warm. This has caused delayed and uncomfortable starts.

Filed Jul 19, 2002 · Transmission · FL

The clutch shudders and slips horribly on cold starts in 1st gear. The whole car will shake due to how horrible it is. Stops shuddering after 15 mins of stop and go. Dealer said it is normal and many customers complain, but that is the way the subaru clutch behaves. -- btw: this site does not seem to show anywhere near the amount of clutch shudder issues I have heard of, and it seems that some people have posted clutch shudder issues under the wrong part defect.

Filed May 5, 2002 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · WA

Severe clutch shudder at start of forward movement. Affected by lower outside temps. If car sits in cold weather at first use of clutch severe shudder vibrates whole vehicle. As clutch warms up shudder lessens but never goes away. *ts *nlm *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***761550

Filed Apr 26, 2002 · Transmission · WA

Severe clutch shudder during low speed operation ( in 1st gear and starting to move from a stop) when clutch components are cold. Shudder continues till parts warm up. Shudder never completely goes away.

Filed Sep 19, 2001 · Brakes · DE

The brakes that come standard on this vehicle are nowhere near sufficient for a vehicle with this level of performance. My brakes are scored, have grooves, and have chips and burrs. During my hour commute to work I experience brake fade and brake shudder in the steering wheel. The dealer tells me these problems are "normal." well, if you're going to sell me a car that accellerates and handles like a race car, it should be able to stop like one as well. Or at least stop at all! This vehicle requires larger, more performance oriented brakes right from the factory. I hope subaru handles this quickly.