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Subaru Impreza Brake Questions

66 messages,  Last post on Jan 02, 2013 at 6:52 AM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Brakes, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 7

#39 of 66 Re: break switch is the problem [impreza2008] by mom3peggy

May 02, 2008 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: impreza2008 (May 02, 2008 12:01 pm)
Did your dealer indicate that they have had alot of problems with regard to the brake switch? I had the same problem and my dealer indicated that they have had only one other car with the same problem.
 
After I read about your second go around I called Subaru 's 800 number and asked if they have had a run of brake switch problems with the 2008 impreza. I was told no. They assured me that if there is a rash of warranty repairs for the brake switch something will be done about the problem.
 
Was your repair reported as a warranty repair? Do you think that your dealer reported their thoughts to Subaru re the design flaw? I realize that replacing the brake switch is not hard or expensive but I do not relish my new car having to be repaired every couple of months.PM

#40 of 66 Re: break switch is the problem [mom3peggy] by impreza2008

May 02, 2008 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: mom3peggy (May 02, 2008 1:47 pm)
I did not speak to the service manager.. just the counter person in the service department. She said they replaced the switch with the same type and they expected the same result in a few months. She had a theory of what was wrong with the design but I did not pursue it with her. She also said the next time this happens I will get a free oil change. I called my wife and said I should be getting lots of free oil changes.
 
Yes, this was a warranty repair. I was told to expect a survey from Subaru. I will see if there is a write in part to the survey so I can voice my displeasure. We priced out a 2009 Forester. I put that purchase on hold until I gain more confidence in Subaru quality.
 
I will report on this issue if another break switch failure develops. I know where the switch is located in case it does not reset. I may have to give it a whack to snap it back so I can get my transmission out of Park.
 
Sol Briks

#41 of 66 Re: break switch is the problem [impreza2008] by impreza2008

May 12, 2008 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: impreza2008 (May 02, 2008 5:55 pm)
Guest what, yesterday the VDC and ABS lights came again on after I applied the brakes on the highway. I won't call the dealer until I need to go in for an oil change.. and hopefully collect on the pomise of a free oil change if the repair fails again.
 
I responded to a a survey sent by Subaru. Explained the repeated failures. Hope they email me and offer an explanation.
 
Please write in an let me know if you are having this problem.
 
Sol Briks

#42 of 66 Re: break switch is the problem [impreza2008] by mom3peggy

May 13, 2008 (7:18 am)

Replying to: impreza2008 (May 12, 2008 4:53 pm)
I am so sorry for all your problems.
 
 Are your brakes still working and it is only the lights that are failing? Are you still having problems getting your car out of park? Hopefully you will not be buying the 2009 car.
 
Do you think the car is safe to drive?
 
PM

#43 of 66 Re: break switch is the problem [mom3peggy] by impreza2008

May 13, 2008 (7:30 am)

Replying to: mom3peggy (May 13, 2008 7:18 am)
The brakes work fine. The car is safe but the VDC, ABS and cruise control stop working. The first time this happened was in the winter while I was on ice. I pulled of the road.. carefully.. and restarted the car. In this weather I don't bother to reset because I am more concerned about having difficulty getting out of park.
 
When I started the car the next morning in my driveway all was well.. went out of park ok and the VDC and ABS lights reset. I dont know what is the point of getting the brake switch replaced if they put in the same design.. and within days the problem comes back.

#44 of 66 abs+vdc lights by vali51

May 14, 2008 (6:35 am)

Same problem I have on F2.5XT 4EAT, ABS and VDC lights coming on. Nothing found on the computer test. Should i suggest to Subaru service here to replace the breack switch as well?
Thanks,

#45 of 66 Re: abs+vdc lights [vali51] by impreza2008

May 14, 2008 (9:33 am)

Replying to: vali51 (May 14, 2008 6:35 am)
Subaru is not recognizing the design flaw.. they are just replacing brake switched with new brake switches of the same design.. go back to them.. start creating a record. My dealer said they have to redesign the break switch..
 
I will keep going back.. also I cancelled a Forester purchase in progress because I think they use the identical brake switch in that car.. What a shameful state affairs.
 
I hope the Subaru car division is acquired by another company as soon as possible and salvage whatever reputation they have left.
 
Sol Briks

#46 of 66 Re: abs+vdc lights [impreza2008] by mom3peggy

May 14, 2008 (11:17 am)

Replying to: impreza2008 (May 14, 2008 9:33 am)
I had the same problem re the lights coming on. My dealer replaced the brake switch. I have found that the NHTSA has issued a techinical service bulletin no 15 re this problem. I have ordered the bulletin from the NHTSA but that will take awhile to get.
 
According to the summary of the bulletin Subaru restyled the original brake switch. I called my dealer today and was told that when my car was fixed the new design of brake switch was used. The service department said they have not had any person coming in with recurrent problems.
 
Is it possible that when your car was fixed the old style was used? PM">link title

#47 of 66 Re: abs+vdc lights [mom3peggy] by impreza2008

May 14, 2008 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: mom3peggy (May 14, 2008 11:17 am)
Thanks.. this is very helpful. My dealer said they replaced the defective brake switch with the same design brake switch and that the new design was not available.. maybe they are in the dark.. will call the dealer and report back. Post the NHTSA bulletin when you get it. Wonder if the bulletins are online.
 
Sol Briks

#48 of 66 Re: abs+vdc lights [impreza2008] by mom3peggy

May 14, 2008 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: impreza2008 (May 14, 2008 2:29 pm)
The summary of the service bulletin is on the nhtsa.dot.gov web site under service bulletins.The service bulletin number is 10024073.
 
Please keep us informed as to the results of your talks with the dealer. I really hope that the new brake switch design works. PM

Messages Page 5 of 7

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