NHTSA Complaint #10561915 — 2014 SUBARU WRX

IN *EXTREMELY* COLD WEATHER - BELOW OF - THE VEHICLE WILL START SUCCESSFULLY HOWEVER THE STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND "HILL-ASSIST" (PART OF THE ABS SYSTEM) TROUBLE INDICATOR LIGHTS WILL LIGHT AND STAY LIT. BASED ON THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL IF THIS OCCURS, I SHOULD CYCLE THE IGNITION TO SEE IF THE CODE CLEARS. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SOLUTION BECAUSE THE CAR'S BATTERY IS ALREADY EXTREMELY STRESSED DUE TO THE COLD TEMPERATURE AND MAY NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCURRENCE I DID CYCLE THE IGNITION AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. WHILE I RECOGNIZE THAT A MORE VICIOUS BRAKE FLUID IS NEEDED IN A PERFORMANCE VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE, IF THE ABS PUMP'S ORIFICES WERE LARGER THIS ISSUE MIGHT NOT OCCUR. THE OTHER POSSIBILITY IS THE BRAKE FLUID USED DURING ASSEMBLY IS ALREADY SUPERSATURATED WITH MOISTURE AND THE COLD TEMPS ALLOWED THE SUSPENDED WATER TO FALL OUT OF SUSPENSION AND FREEZE IN THE HYDRAULIC LINES. VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE BRAKE'S MECHANICAL ACTION WAS UNAFFECTED BY THE FAULT. THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS (WHICH I BELIEVE TO USE THE SAME FLUID) IT DID FEEL LIKE I WAS PUSHING THROUGH MUD. I DID CONFIRM THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR