NHTSA Complaint #10916656 — 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX CONSTANTLY REQUIRES ADJUSTMENT TO ENABLE THE RELEASE OF THE CLAMP PRESSURE ON THE DRIVEN PLATE OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WHEN THE CLUTCH FOOT PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. UPON INVESTIGATING A CREAKING NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH TO THE LEFT AND DOWN EACH TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS ACTIVATED. THIS CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY HAS THREE BROKEN SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER, I CONFIRMED THE MANUFACTURER'S SPOT WELDS ARE PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EACH TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS WELD DEFECT STEMMING FROM THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE UNSECURED, ULTIMATELY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO 1ST, 2ND, OR REVERSE GEAR. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE CLUTCH PEDAL ADJUSTMENTS TO TEMPORARILY ENGAGE THE GEARS, HOWEVER IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS NOTORIOUS DEFECT IS WELL KNOWN AMONG SUBARU CAR OWNERS AND IS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN DIRECTLY CAUSE A VEHICLE COLLISION.