This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Traveling along a straight, dry, paved road. Speed approx 50mph. Encountered a situation requiring aggressive braking (approx 75-80%). while braking, car crossed a small bump, ABS engaged for an extended time and braking power was almost completely lost. Several car lengths later (road free from imperfections now), ABS was still modulating and there was still virtually no braking power. Distance required to stop was *much* longer than it should have been. Problem has also occured X2 at low speed, nearing a stop sign, hit a pothole....lost braking until absolute last second, barely stopped in time. Seems as though ABS unit is confused, as if the wheels with traction are being modulated while the tire that hit the bump and has poor traction (possibly airborne momentarily?) is getting braking power, thus rendering the car with little stopping ability at all. Very dangerous, I was lucky it was not an animal/child/car that I was trying to avoid. Definitely dangerous, and not normal ABS operation.
Vehicle's ABS controller went bad, ABS was getting activated ever in a dry non slip condition, contacted dealer, and they replaced the ABS controller. Reported problem about engine vibration at idle speed, dealer refuses to accept it, compared with a new vehicle at dealer's stock and the vibration in my vehicle was distinguishable. Still dealer refuses to accept it. Contacted 1-800-subaru3 and they said that they woul dget in touch with the dealership and see whats going on.
Failure was an extreme increase in stopping distance for no apparent reason on dry pavement. Brake pedal went nearly to floor, no pedal pulsing, but only about 30% of normal brake force available inspite of extreme pressure on pedal. Narrowly avoided head on with cars in oncoming lanes while attempting left turn. Lack of brake effort resulted in excessive speed for safe left turn.
I was going to olympus gym in springfield, va, pulling into the far end of the parking lot (the lot is empty). The lot was clean, dry asphalt with a couple of rocks scattered on it (clue?). I pull in quick to the lot (a right turn from the street 90 degrees) don't know how fast but not worrisome. Then pull a 180 degree left turn to come into the parking space braking fairly hard as I go. Keeping on the brakes I think I'll come to a stop, but, the ABS activates with 7 feet left in the spot. Stays released all the way to the end where I bump into the pole at the end of the spot marking my bumper badly. I did not even try to come off the brakes and back on to reset (I should have). I just held the brake praying they would come back. When the ABS activated, my head jerked back into the head rest and stayed there (at least half a second) until I hit the pole. The ABS released the brakes (all four) and left them released.
I pulled into a driveway to make a U-turn. There was a slight bump (about half the height of a speed bump) at the start of the driveway. I guess the bump activated the ABS because after I came to a full stop the pedal went half way to the floor. This has happened twice before, driving at 20 mph and about 40 mph and moderately braking on bumpy surfaces. The ABS kick in and it feel like the car isn't slowing at all. I have to release the brake and apply it again to stop. All incidents were on dry roads.
- Whitman, MA, USA
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While approaching a stop light that was turning yellow, road was slightly bumpy, consumer felt ABS pulsating. As this happened, brake pedal went to floor and pulsating stopped, however vehicle did not slow down. This has happened about 4 times. Consumer was concerned because dealer could not duplicate problem.
While in motion insured approached stop sign. Vehicle 2 stopped and proceeded as insured was already accelerating and was unable to stop, therefore hitting the rear of vehicle 2. may be a possible problem with the ABS system.
When applying brakes while going over a bump at 25 mph or less consumer can tell ABS system kicks in, but brake pedal goes to the floor, no braking ability for a few sconds. This happens intermittently. Dealer stated there was nothing he could do.
The brakes in my 02 WRX Impreza wagon become temporarily ineffective under normal braking conditions on a road with small bumps or ripples. For several seconds after the ABS kicks in there is very little or no deceleration of the vehicle. This would be very dangerous if it occurred with a vehicle or pedestrian in front of me. I have not tried to replicate this issue at high speeds, but I have noticed it very consistently between 15-35 mph under moderate braking.
The ABS engages prematurely on rough pavent, expansion joints, etc. Once it engages, the brake pedal drops to the floor and the car loses all braking power for several seconds.
When braking over bumps or potholes, ABS system "fails" causing near-zero braking ability and much longer stopping distances. Repeatable and dangerous!
ABS fails after going over minor bumps and all pressure in the brake system is lost soon after. Driver must completely disengage brake and then reapply to begin slowing down again.
While in motion insured approached stop sign. Vehicle 2 stopped and proceeded as insured was already accelerating and was unable to stop, therefore hitting the rear of vehicle 2. may be a possible problem with the ABS system.
Driving along highway I94, when had to brake (medium braking) due to car slowing in front, went over a bump in the road during the braking the brakes seem to completly disappear with very little pedal pressure. The road was dry. I nearly ran into the back of the car in front. Tyhis can be duplicated with similar conditions such as smooth road with medium to heavy braking (not full braking) with a bump in the road it seems to send the ABS out of control and loose all breaking for a 1sec or so.
I have experienced multiple occurrences of ABS problems. If a wheels hits a bump when the brakes are applied the brakes let go completely for 2-3 seconds. It's as if the system is sensing a loss of grip at whatever wheel has hit the bump and instead of releasing pressure on that wheel for a fraction of a second it releases pressure on all four brakes for 2-3 seconds. This can occur not only under hard braking but also when slowing down gradually from a low speed. This is at best discomforting and at worst dangerous. I know that NHTSA is aware of the thread in the brake forum of www.I-club.com. additionally the problem has been documented in the April 2002 issue of sport compact car magazine page 16. Article is titled picking nits. Section of the article is ambitious ABS. Here's a quote: "it takes only the slightest bump, pavement irregularity or suggestion of lost traction to send the WRX's ABS into convulsions." Another one: "what makes most Subaru uncommonly safe and stable in severe conditions makes the usually confidence inspiring WRX feel frighteningly unpredictable charging into bumpy corners. Our long-term WRX is getting an off switch for the ABS." This situation is unacceptable. An aftermarket off switch should not be required for the safe operation of an ABS system. I have had my car to the dealer and they called the Subaru tech hotline. They were told that there are no ABS issues. I and others have called and E-mailed Subaru's customer service and have been told there is no record of concerns with the ABS. Subaru is refusing to acknowledge this problem. It needs to be investigated and corrected. Thanks.
ABS failure - upon depressing the brake pedal on uneven pavement, the brake pedal drops to the flow with no apparent brake pressure but occasional ABS pulsation. Contacted Subaru to see if it was a known issue and was told by soa that there were no previous reports of this issue and no factory issue. See also... www.I-club.com/forums/showthread.php?S=&threadid=102893&perpage=40&pagenumber=1.
On 2/4/02 I was coming up to a stop light behind traffic. When I applied my brakes nothing happened. I had brake pedal but the car did not slow down at all. I immediately I geared down going about 20mph and applied the brakes again but no reaction. I hit the car in front at the rate of about 10mph and did considerable damage to my car. This was not the first time I had a problem with the brakes. In Oct. 2001 I applied the brakes at about 55mph, the ABS system kicked in, but the vehicle didn't even slow down. I continued trying the brakes for at least 1 mile down the road with no slowing of the vehicle. Finally the brakes started to work and I continued on my way. In Dec. When I took the car in for servicing, I stated this incident and was told that the ABS braking system isn't supposed to stop or slow down the car. From that point I decided to brake the car by gearing down so the ABS brakes would never kick in. In Jan. I applied the brakes one day to turn into my driveway and nothing not even the ABS. A little further down the hill, the brakes worked and I stopped. It was a little slippery that day so I thought the failure to slow down or stop was related to the road conditions. Then on 2/4/02 the brakes failed to have any reaction once again and this time there was an accident. I do not intend to drive the car again until this problem is solved.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Frankfort, MI, USA