National Highway Traffic Safety Admin March 9, 2026 I am submitted a vehicle safety complaint regarding a 2011 Subaru that I recently purchased on [XXX]. I purchased a used 2011 Subaru Impreza from Clear Cut Auto {241 S Dupont Hghwy – New Castle, DE 1920 (302-322-2050) on [XXX] for $5,147.04. The dealership person name was Erika Fernandez which reported the car was recently dropped of by a female owner a few days ago. The dealership issued temporary tags on the vehicle with the registration. The vehicle was sold as “as is”. Within three (3) days of purchase the vehicle On Sunday [XXX] while my [XXX] son was driving on a major highway, the vehicle suddenly showed a engine light which blink on and immediately went out. Thereafter, the car started smoking and was engulfed in flames ie: caught on fire. I am grateful that my [XXX] son was able to exit the vehicle safely and quickly to avoid injury. The car was completely destroyed by the result of the fire internally and externally. This created a serious life-threatening safety situation for my [XXX] son, which had to exit the vehicle quickly to avoid injury. Multiple people on the highway witnessed the fire. I am concerned that the vehicle sold to me by Clean Cut Auto (owner Lonnie and dealer Erika Fernandez) may have had a serious pre-existing defect involving the engine, electrical system or fuel system that caused the fire while the vehicle was being driven. I am submitting this complaint so that the incident can be investigated as a potential safety defect involving this vehicle model. 2011 Subaru Impreza VIN# [XXX] Fire Date: [XXX] Registration: [XXX] Location: [XXX] – [XXX] from [XXX] 3.04 miles from New Castle Municipality Police Report [XXX] Cpl Diprima -Troop 2 State Police 302-834-2620 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11723119 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT DEALERSHIP (SUBARU WAKEFIELD) HAS SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AND HAVE NO PLANS. I'VE ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL THIS SAFETY ISSUE CAN BE ADDRESSED AND I WAS DENIED. I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITH A LOANER.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11185557 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT DW TIRES THAT CAME WITH USED SUBARU HAVE ALMOST NO WEAR ON TREAD, BUT WHEN I ASKED THAT THEY BE SWAPPED WITH THE CAR'S WINTER TIRES, TECHNICIAN SAID THEY WEREN'T SAFE BECAUSE OF CRACKS IN THE TREADS. THESE TIRES ARE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2013, AND HAVE BEEN STORED IN COVERED SHED SINCE LATE LAST FALL (SO NO EXCUSE FOR SUNLIGHT DEGRADATION). CONTINENTAL'S WARRANTEE IS ONLY FOR ORIGINAL BUYER, SO WE'RE OUT OF LUCK. DEFINITELY WILL NOT REPLACE THESE WITH CONNENTALS!!!!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10722337 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

TAKATA RECALL, BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE. WE LIVE IN A SMALL ALASKAN BUSH TOWN CALLED DILLINGHAM THAT'S NOT ON THE ROAD SYSTEM. WE (MYSELF AND AROUND 30+ OTHER RESIDENTS) HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SUBARU TO SEND A TECHNICIAN OUT FOR 2 YEARS NOW TO FIX OUR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. JUST TODAY WE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR OUR BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. WE CANNOT SIMPLY 'GO TO A DEALER'S AS THERE IS NONE. WE'D HAVE TO SEND OUR CAR AS FREIGHT TO ANCHORAGE (WHICH COSTS THOUSANDS AND CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF A MONTH) AND MOST OF THE TOWN CANNOT AFFORD TO DO SO. WE EVEN HAVE A FACEBOOK GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO NEED RECALLED CARS FIXED FROM SUBARU, HONDA AND TOYOTA. WE'VE BEEN CALLING AND WRITING FOR 2 YEARS AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN DONE. WE'RE JUST TOLD THAT 'THEYLL SEND SOMEONE OUT'. SOMEONE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE KILLED BY A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG OR IN AN ACCIDENT JUST TO GET THESE ISSUES FIXED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11205871 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 92,860.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11685042 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov