Clutch started making a creaking noise when pressing in and out. Shifting gears has also become more difficult like the clutch isn't fully engaging and disengaging. I also noticed the whole assembly shifts (clutch and brake pedals) when pressing down on the clutch. Turns out the spot welds on the bracket that hold the assembly are completely broken, causing flex to the clutch and brake assembly. If that bracket rips off, could lose braking power. This is unsafe and needs to be recalled.
2008 Subaru WRX body complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The clutch pedal on my 2008 wrx makes a creaking and popping noise when the pedal is depressed/released. I am not entirely sure how long it has been making this noise, and originally I had thought nothing of it. After reading some forums online, I began to suspect that the spot welds on the firewall were broken. From what I understand this is a fairly common issue with this model of car. I called subaru of america to file a complaint and try to get the issue resolved. When I spoke with a representative on the phone, he informed me that he was aware of the issue, and requested that I take the car in to a dealership to confirm that this was indeed the problem. I took the car in and they confirmed that my spot welds were broken. This is a major safety concern as the firewall is flexing every time the clutch pedal is engaged. The brake pedal moves to the left due to the way the firewall flexes when the pedal is engaged. If the clutch pedal bracket assembly separates from the firewall entirely, this could cause the clutch to become inoperable, which could be particularly dangerous if it occurs while the vehicle is in use. Reference links: http://carproblemzoo.com/subaru/impr...s-problems.php http://www.faqs.org/car/subaru-impre...power-train/#b http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/84-d...on-needed.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/37-c...inkage-45.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/84-d...ewall-fix.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/37-c...bly-issue.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/84-d...s-story-2.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/84-d...l-problem.html http://www.wrxforums.com/forums/84-d...olt-style.html http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2128617 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2184210 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2305937.
The welds supporting the clutch pedal and brake pedal assembly have broken. The result is a prominent squeaking sound and a noticeable lateral movement of the pedal assembly to the left. This is a reoccurring issue as it had previously been addressed and repaired back in june of 2014. At the time subaru of america agreed to pay for half of the repairs as the vehicle was outside of warranty coverage. The new issue are from broken welds in another area that was not inspected or did not appear to need repair at the time. Mileage at time of repair was 74,839, current mileage is 84,420 (3/16/2015). However, further research on this issue indicate that it is a widespread issue that has affected many other subaru impreza owners with model years 2008 through 20012. This is not the result of owner neglect, misuse, or improper maintenance. My safety concern is that this does appear to have an impact on the functionality of clutch pedal and brakes under all normal conditions of use. Full breakage of the assembly could result in loss of control, injury, and or death. Original claim to soa was #[xxx], represented by rich. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The part of the steel body under the dash that supports the clutch pedal shaft assembly fractures into two pieces due to flex forces over time. This results in the clutch master cylinder flexing at its mounting point on the firewall when clutch pedal is depressed. Severed squeaking and noise is heard every time the clutch is depressed as a result. Welding is not feasible as it is located un the dash (above the accelerator pedal) and would cause fire around flammable materials. This can be seen on youtube videos submitted by subaru wrx owners and affects 2008-2014 wrx impreza vehicles. Should firewall fracture due to this flex over time, ability to disengage the clutch by pressing the pedal would result and present a very high probability of crash or accident as a lack of vehicle control and ability to stop vehicle. For one video of this, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6umgz5utc.
Brake/clutch bracket weld failure. Brake/clutch pedal assembly is lose. 3 of the 5 spotwelds holding the brake/clutch assembly have failed. This causes the brakes to feel mushy and the clutch difficult to depress and difficult to engage and disengage the clutch. The brakes may fail if the other two welds brake.
Welds holding the clutch and brake pedal assembly to the firewall are breaking. Depressing the clutch causes flexing. If/when it breaks off, the car will be dangerous due to no foot braking and an engaged clutch. Seems like a common problem with this model. Time for a manufacturer paid fix.
2008 wrx, 61k miles driven since september 2007. Second clutch replacement and was told by the dealership service (kirkland, wa) that the spot welds for the clutch need work done by body shop - about $1200. Was told that this was because of the weight of the clutch but the clutch was almost always heavy in the car. It first became heavy 1-3 months after it was purchased and about the same time after the clutch was first replaced. I understand the clutch could get worn in a few years, but body structure letting go is not something I'd expect to happen in a 7 year old car. I see many similar reports at http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/subaru/impreza/structure/problem.aspx. Sounds like a possible recall issue to me.
Had a clutch pedal squeak noise for a little while, then while driving, went to push in the clutch, heard a pop noise. Then the brake pedal and clutch pedal began to move in erratic directions when depressed. The piece of sheet metal that the pedal assembly bolts to broke away from the firewall. All the welds broke do to flexing in the firewall sheetmetal.
The clutch pedal on my 2008wrx makes a loud creaking/clicking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. This also has increased wear on my transmission gears and synchros.
I have been noticing a creaking and popping noise from my clutch/brake pedal assay for some time now and have found it to be the brace that holds the clutch and brake pedal to the firewall of vehicle is spot welded in 2 places at top of bracket and the spot welds have cracked and broken and the brace now moves around and the clutch and brake pedal bind and stick. I have since noticed it getting worse and noticed the 4 spot welds on the bottom of the brace have cracked and broken also. As a auto technician I see problems with vehicle all the time and this is a huge safety concern if the brace as to break off completely the vehicle would loose braking capabilities and the ability for the clutch to disengage the engine from the transmission in an emergency I have noticed on multiple forums that there are a lot of owners with the same problem. I feel as subaru should perform a recall/repair for this issue as to not have vehicles being unsafe to drive. If needed I can supply pictures of my vehicle and the point of failure.
When I push my clutch pedal in, my brake pedal moves to the left about an inch and a half. It has also squeaked since 20,000 miles but I never thought it was a problem. My car was inspected by an independent mechanic and they confirmed my firewall is flexing because of cracked welds. I noticed this happening around 85,000 miles on a stock clutch. The dealership is claiming they have never heard of the issue and I would have to pay $125 just for them to investigate the issue.
Metal on metal popping started for apparently no reason. Intermittent, inconsistent and difficult to replicate. Noise stopped after warmer weather started. Noticeable changes in shifting begin to occur. Approximately three months later, shifting begins to become difficult. Synchronization of gears when shifting begins to fault and gear scratching can be heard. Still inconsistent, no immediate indication repairs are needed. Several weeks go by and suddenly shifting is extremely difficult. Gear matching and synchronization is no longer smooth and scratches gears often. Often not possible to shift in to reverse while car is running. It has now been identified that the spot welding that holds the clutch pedal assembly has broken free from the mounting points under the dashboard. The entire pedal assembly now bends and flexes preventing proper clutch play and throw, preventing clutch from completely disengaging transmission.
The clutch pedal and clutch is not operating properly when depressed. The pedals shift when the clutch pedal is depressed and makes a popping sound every time that originates from the fire wall / bulk head. My car has been repaired once before at just under 40,000mi at a subaru dealer as authorized by subaru of america and know it has 100,000mi and the issue has come back. This is a structural flaw that can and will lead to a accident with the 2008 and newer subaru wrx's if it is not addressed and fixed by subaru. If subaru is not willing to repair the bracket weld issue and replace the clutch due to improper engagement I will let the welds fail and allow the clutch pedal and brake pedal fall to the floor board and try to control the crash as best as possible. Then I will proceed to file a law suit on the bases that subaru knows of the issue and meant to cause due harm to the vehicle operator and the population of america.
After having the car for a few weeks I noticed the clutch pedal started making noises. I investigated and found that the clutch master cylinder was moving a lot for a part that should not move. I did a little research online and on forums and found that many other owners of the vehicle had similar problems. The welds on the firewall have cracked. It cause my brake pedal to shift whenever I depress the clutch pedal. It also has gotten so bad that shifting into gear at any speed over the 3400 RPM range becomes very difficult and in some case impossible! I drive to and from work 60 miles a day 5 days a week and have not modified the car in any way since I purchased the vehicle. The winter season is coming up and this will be my first winter with the car. I would hope the cold weather does not make the situation worse but is highly likely! This issue has caused stopping and shifting problems. I would not like this issue to cause a possibility that something can go wrong during this upcoming winter to make my car fail drastically in performance and land me in a hospital or worse. Please I advise you to address this issue as many other owners of this vehicle are having the same problems. Others have attempted to re weld but found that it is costly and only a temporary fix until it breaks again.
I was sitting in traffic when I pushed down on clutch pedal and realized I had no clutch. I had to rev car to 2,500 RPM to put in gear to drive. Then every time I came to a stop the car felt wired to stop. As I looked by my feet I noticed my clutch and brake pedal was moving quite freely to side to side. It was to late in day to take car to dealer and being a mechanic I checked car out myself. That's when I saw that the bracket that is welded to my firewall broke completely off. After dealing with subaru and the dealer for a week now I have to pay $500 to have them fix the car as a courtesy they said. There are hundreds of complaints of this issue and what if I was on the highway and had to stop suddenly when this happened. I could have caused a major accident. Why do I have to pay to fix the flaw in the structural integrity of my vehicle that can cause an accident!
The clutch pedal on my 2008 impreza wrx feels gritty and makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving.
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