2002 Subaru WRX: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed May 23, 2005 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · CT

I have experienced "clutch shudder" on my 2002 wrx. The dealerships I have taken the car to (3) said they could not reproduce the problem so have left it unaddressed. The car shakes violently like it was being jackhammered when first driven. No dealer will repair it under the tsb that was issued by subaru.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Transmission · 35,640 miles · PA

The car never shifted gears easily from when new. At 13,000 miles the dealer replaced the clutch under warranty with an '03 spec clutch assembly. The shuddering ceased, but the transmission whined excessively and it was still difficult to shift gears, especially when cold. Last week, in very cold temperatures, all power was lost and the transmission could not be shifted and I was in the middle of traffic. The car was towed to the dealer, inspected by rep and deemed to be abused, therefore, no coverage under warranty. When is subaru going to recognize that they have a problem in that this particular transmission is not engineered to handle the increase power of the wrx motor? There was no abuse, no racing or driver error associated with this failure. I am fortunate not to have caused an accident.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · CT

For about a year now, in the morning when the car is first started, the clutch shudders when it is initially engaged into first gear. The car often shakes violently. The problem usually goes away when the car warms up, but returns the next morning. I cannot imagine that this is good for the clutch, and is due to manufacturer defects. Subaru acknowledges the problem (they have issued a service bulletin) but refuses to replace the clutch if it is not under the warranty period.

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · VT

Car: 02 subaru wrx manual transmission the car suffers from the clutch judder described by many, and detailed in tsb 03-51-02. My car has 44000 miles. The basic warranty on the car is 3yr/36000. Powrtrain is 6 yr/60000. My dealer acknowledges my problem as being exactly as in the tsb. However, he informs me the repair is not to be fixed at no charge to me- since the basic warranty has expired. Given that the car is so difficult to drive, and there is an acknowledged manufacturing defect, in a powertrain component, I don't see the problem. Except subaru of america wanting to avoid paying for it by labeling it a 'wear' item, and therefore covered under 3yr/36k. Please advise.

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Transmission · NJ

2002 wrx wagon. Manual shift. Clutch problems on daily basis, no matter if the car is properly warmed up or cold. Car shudders. Also, it's hard to shift from 1st to 2nd and from 3rd to 2nd. Even when the clutch pedal is fully pressed, grinding sound appears. There's no specific pattern in this behaviour. It happens randomly during driving or moving from a full stop.