Subaru WRX ball joint problems

Filed May 3, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 14,500 miles · WA · crash

In january 2019 at around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a secluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being at least 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused the steering to lock up, pulling to the far left, towards a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The approaching turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable to regain control I was driving straight into the fast approaching lake. Shortly before the endge of the road I was able to force the vehicle to the right. Again steering locked up, now forcing me far right. At the right was dense trees, bushes, and shrubs. Narrowly able to regain control before going head-on into a tree, I forced the steering wheel back to the left. I ended up striking some bushes and a tree stump. Causing minor damage to the passenger side mirror, scratches to both passenger doors, and a deep dent on the lower rear door and quarter pannel. This is when the rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump, taking the 35mph brunt impact that stopped the car instantly. The tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, the lower control arm was bent and cracked, the entire rear drive train was push to the right causing the alignment of the driver side left tire to be pushed out as well. The airbags did not deploy. The car was 100% immobile at this point as the rear tire wouldn't move. After spending an hour I was able to remove the old tired and put on the dought. I have complained about the issues that casued this many times and nothing has been done. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Body, Steering · 14,500 miles · WA · crash

In january 2019 around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a sucluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being atleast 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was very rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp right turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused steering to lock up, turning to the far left. At the right was a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable regain control and was driving straight towards the fast approaching lake. Shortly before dropoff I was able to force the sterring wheel to the right. But steering again locked up and forced me to the far right. Off the road to the right was heavly wooded. Narowly able to regain control of sterring I crashed through bushes. Causing minor damage to the following; passenger side mirror, scratches to whole passenger side, deep dent on lower rear door and quarter panel. Rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump with impact at 35mph stopping the car instantly. Tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, lower control arm was bent and cracked, entire rear drive axle was push to the right causeing alignment of the driver side rear tire to be pushed out. The airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the driver's side window. The car was 100% undrivable tire wouldn't move. Taking damage tire off and putting on donugt took over an hour, I couldn't get the damaged tire off. A lot more to this as well. I have complained about this issue many times and dealership did nothing. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again. I want this car gone!!!! Something of this nature happens everyday with my car. Just once it caused an accident

Filed May 3, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 14,500 miles · WA · crash

In january 2019 around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a sucluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being atleast 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was very rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp right turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused steering to lock up, turning to the far left. At the right was a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable regain control and was driving straight towards the fast approaching lake. Shortly before dropoff I was able to force the sterring wheel to the right. But steering again locked up and forced me to the far right. Off the road to the right was heavly wooded. Narowly able to regain control of sterring I crashed through bushes. Causing minor damage to the following; passenger side mirror, scratches to whole passenger side, deep dent on lower rear door and quarter panel. Rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump with impact at 35mph stopping the car instantly. Tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, lower control arm was bent and cracked, entire rear drive axle was push to the right causeing alignment of the driver side rear tire to be pushed out. The airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the driver's side window. The car was 100% undrivable tire wouldn't move. Taking damage tire off and putting on donugt took over an hour, I couldn't get the damaged tire off. A lot more to this as well. I have complained about this issue many times and dealership did nothing. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again. This is one of dozens of issues I have with this car. Its getting worse but the dealer wont care until I get hurt

Filed Jun 12, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 153,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

My dream car demolished in split second. Could have very easily died as well as my passenger. I looked up the recalls when I got the car and it was not listed yet, the steel front control arms in the snow belt states rust out and cause the vehicle to loose control and or crash. Well it did both to me as well as excelerate my car. I was on a date that night for the first time in a while. And on our way home, we were coming around a slight bend, I was going probably 35-40 MPH and right when I turned the steering wheel going around the bend I heard a crack/thud noise and instantly I swear on my dads grave that the car accelerated, it was obviously out of control, I could not stop the car it kept going the same way as the turn, and hit an embankment about 3 1/2 feet tall the front door opened somehow when I hit. It bent the complete door up and looked like a lamborghini door. Luckily we had are seat belts on! The car the proceeded to flip on to its roof. Back, front side windows blown out. Both upside down in awe. Made sure she was ok. She was cut up on her arm and had seatbelt marks. As for me I know I hit my head bad but I don't even remember, it happened so fast and unpredictable! I had that car paid off. Loved it so much but I'm very disappointed I was never aware of the recall. I looked up my VIN the day or so after, and it said the control arms were never replaced. A month or so later I check again, and it says they were fixed.. Now come on, that's a little weird and convienent if I so happened to sue subaru. I also had my car at a local subaru dealer 3 months before for a overall maintenance check and look over... Why did they not know, why did they not even see the corrosion. I was so in shambles after the wreck, that when the insurance guy came to look at my car it was totaled obviously. I tried pointing out what happened, he really could of cared less.

Filed Dec 3, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 125,600 miles · NH

Control arms were recalled in 2011 for rust issues and failure on the hanger brackets. Got the parts checked at the time of the recall by a certified subaru dealership, the dealership sprayed a "rust proofing" agent on the control arms. Three years later I was driving down my road and lost control of the vehicle completely. The driver side lower control arm had rusted through and broken at the hanger bracket. Subaru of america will not cover the repairs as the recall had been performed already (even through it did not prevent the issues from happening).

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Suspension · 82,000 miles · CA

After investigating a small leak it was discovered that my front sway bar mount connected to my lower control arm( recall number "wvx-34 lower control arm) mount had snapped and separated. This could have cause serious injury to myself, family and others driving around me at the time is snapped. Subaru confirms that the lower control arm has a corrosion issue but refuses to cover this problem due to the location of the breakage.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Body, Fuel system · 1,000 miles · OH

I'm filing my complaint with all the others about the strong fuel smell during the cold months. I cannot believe ohio is not included in the recall. I've taken my car to the dealer numerous times to be told that the car is okay. Frankly, this past cold winter has been awful. The smell makes it's way into the house. It is awful. I cannot believe subaru does not believe ohio is cold and will not stand by its autos. Also, when I brought the auto in for a recall on the front control arms, they only rustproofed them and never told me the frame was rusted out. This was at 125,000 miles. This auto has been meticulously cared for. If this car is meant to be in all kinds of weather, why can't it stand up past 125,000 miles. Ridiculous! I have three other vehicles from other brands with many more miles, one car of which is stored outside in the winter, and all the other autos have great lasting frames. Considering I had only 125,000 miles, I saved the money and made this expensive repair. Com'on subaru make a car that lasts!!!!!

Filed Jan 28, 2013 · Suspension · 38,369 miles · MA

Reference: recall no. 11v‑464, the federal safety agency campaign no. 11v464000 the corrosion discovered in my subaru 2002 wrx is far more extensive than that covered by the recall resulting in cityside subaru dealership (1‑761‑641‑1900) identifying the vehicle not safe to drive. Their assessment of the dangerous rusting, rotting and necessary repairs is quoted here (I can provide a facsimile of their assessment upon your request). There is extensive rusting and rotting as well as parts that have already broken. The following is quoted from the cityside subaru dealership invoice number[xxx]' technician states: vehicle has failed recall inspection of front lower control arms due to rusting. Subframe is also rotted and will need to be replaced. Technician recommends: additionally upon replacement of control arms and subframe both left and right swaybar links are broken $295 front knuckles, wheel bearings and inner and outer tie rod ends are rotted and will need to be replaced $2340 both front struts rotted and may need to be replaced if they are not able to be detached and put back together properly $509 each as required replace rotted leaking oil pan $416 vehicle is not safe to drive' I consider myself lucky that the extensive corrosion and already failed parts in an otherwise very clean, low mileage car have not LED to an accident and suggest that the recall needs to be broader in scope. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 10, 2011 · Body · 139,900 miles · PA

Subframe near passenger/right front control arm is rusted through and has holes. Subaru of cherry hill, nj stated that it should be replaced and was at significant risk of breaking when removed for control arm recall (wvx34).dealership said the case with pictures was reported to subaru headquarters and dealership stated it was the first time they have seen it. I discovered many other cases reported dating back as far as may 2009. Documented with pictures of my own.

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Suspension · IL

Driving southbound on I-55 for morning commute in the leftmost lane when with no discernible cause the car began to drift back and forth across the center lane and left lane. The car minimally responded to any steering inputs. I had to crank the wheel almost a turn and a half to get my car over to the shoulder. Fortunately, there were no cars near me when this happened so I did not strike any vehicles. I got the car towed to a local shop and the service person quickly glanced around underneath it and immediately noticed that the control arm had rusted through on the passenger side. I came back later that day and they showed me the car on the lift where both control arms were thoroughly rusted as well as the subframe. I paid to get the one repaired but still don't drive the car as I don't feel safe until the other is taken care of as well.