NHTSA Complaint #10396062 — 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA

IN THE DAY OR TWO PRIOR TO THE EVENT, THE CAR FELT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT I HAD TO KEEP THE WHEEL TURNED ~15%. WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~65MPH, I HIT AN UNDULATION IN THE ROAD. THIS MUST HAVE PUT INCREASED LOAD ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR STARTED TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS SCREECHING FROM THE TIRES AND I STRUGGLED WITH THE WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT AS TRAFFIC WAS ALL AROUND ME. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR SOMEWHAT IN CONTROL AND MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I CAME TO A STOP. IT TURNED OUT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN. THE WELD ON IT HAD CORRODED AND IT SEPARATED. THIS IS VITAL TO KEEPING THE CARS ABILITY TO STEER. I GOT THE PART REPLACED, ALONG WITH A NEW AXLE AND SWAY BAR END-LINK THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT. THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS OVER $1000. *TR