2002 Subaru WRX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“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.”

“Last week as I was driving to work, the clutch pedal started feeling a bit loose (ie soft until it was depressed half-way) and was sticking to the floor when depressed fully. It became incredibly difficult to shift at all and I was quite fortunate to have not caused any accidents as I was not on the highway. Had I been at higher speed and been for example attempting to pass someone and the pedal would have failed in the same way, much more serious consequences would have occurred. …”

“While returning to las vegas from a camping trip on ventura freeway near the tarzana exit our 2003 WRX experienced a loss of braking at approximately 25 MPH in stop and go traffic on clear, dry, rain grooved highway. My wife was driving the WRX at the time and she reported that the ABS kicked in and then let go causing her car to roll into mine (pulling our camp trailer), she struck the trailer doing about 5 to 7 MPH. Damage to her WRX was in excess of $5k, damage to trailer and my car was cosmetic only. …”

“On sunday september 12th, 2004 I was travelling with my mother southbound on the 5 freeway. The traffic was stop and go. I was stopped ,and had put the car into first gear and released the clutch and there was a loud pop. First gear was gone. I drove it home. The following day took it to bob baker Subaru in carlsbad, ca. An hour later they called me and told me the failure was a result of driver abuse and/or racing. They denied my claim! I wrote letters to Subaru and attempted to make phone calls (most were never returned). On oct. …”

“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. …”