Investigation EA03024: 2002–2003 Subaru WRX

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Nov 19, 2003

Closed

Jul 12, 2005

Model years

2002–2003

Subject

Extended stopping distances

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Summary

During the ea, odi and vrtc performed the following activities:1.conducted a mail survey of 246 subject vehicle owners todetermine the roadway surface that caused owners' concern;2.interviewed complaining owners;3.conducted field inspections of seven (7) complaint vehicles;4.instrumented testing at vrtc of complaint and peer vehicles;5.reviewed subaru's response to our information request;6.met with subaru for technical review of testingas a result of the work conducted by vrtc and odi during this investigaiton, a consistent or chronic pattern of poor brake performance has not been identified.vrtc conducted over 11,500 brake tests.they did not observe any long-duration, low deceleration events (some owners reported delays of 4 to 10 seconds) in the test vehicles.see odi's closing report and vrtc's test report for full details

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2003 Subaru WRX60 complaints
• 2002 Subaru WRX427 complaints