WRX Re-calibration ABS recall

[IDG]

I received a letter from Subaru regarding my 2002 WRX braking. They offered to replace my ABS ECU with a new unit that may offer a better braking "feel" in certain situations but give "no perceptible difference in overall stopping distance."

I don't feel like I want to bother if there will be no braking improvement.
Any opions out there?

Thanks

 

[mulder]

I received a letter from Subaru regarding my 2002 WRX braking. They offered to replace my ABS ECU with a new unit that may offer a better braking "feel" in certain situations but give "no perceptible difference in overall stopping distance."

I don't feel like I want to bother if there will be no braking improvement.
Any opions out there?

Thanks

Here is a NASIOC thread you may find helpful-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836061

It's up to you whether to have this done. If you're not experiencing
the problem in question there may be no benefit. Also note that if you
have replaced any brake components with aftermarket (pads, rotors
etc.) the dealers may decline to perform this work.

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

I received a letter from Subaru regarding my 2002 WRX braking. They offered to replace my ABS ECU with a new

unit that may offer a better braking "feel" in certain situations but
give "no perceptible difference in overall
stopping distance."

I don't feel like I want to bother if there will be no braking improvement.
Any opions out there?

Thanks

Would be interesting to know if this addresses the problem that some
(all?) MY02 Impreza's have, of the ABS coming in rather too early in
certain conditions. Mine has that problem, much lower threshold of ABS
operation than other cars I've driven. I've got used to it, so no great
problem, but wouldn't mind having it fixed.

I guess the main point of interest for you would be, are you perfectly
happy with your existing braking setup? If so, might not be worth
bothering about. If you have the early ABS operation, or indeed any
other flaw, this change might help. (Subaru might well not be too
explicit about their reasons for the change, due to possible liabilities...)

Larry Van Wormer

 

[Alan Peterman]

I had it done last week on my 2002 WRX. And then I tested it over some railroad
tracks where the bumps and wood strips had before given me that lack of breaking
sensation, and it seems much better. MUCH better.

Do it - it's free and should only take 20-30 minutes - unless your dealer
forgets that your car is in the shop for 2+ hours and then takes another hour or
so to do the job.

 

[Cam Penner]

I had it done last week on my 2002 WRX. And then I tested it over some railroad
tracks where the bumps and wood strips had before given me that lack of breaking
sensation, and it seems much better. MUCH better.

Do it - it's free and should only take 20-30 minutes - unless your dealer
forgets that your car is in the shop for 2+ hours and then takes another hour or
so to do the job.

Any word on whether or not this applies to 5MT RS's? I
hate the ABS. It's downright scary when you are braking
over potholes.

 

[Kevin T]

One no-brainer reason to have it done - if you are involved in an accident
where the change in the ECU may have made a difference, you've got no leg to
stand on. SOA will be able to say the retrofit was offered, but you
refused.

 

[tom klein]

they said "better feel" but "no perceptible difference in overall
stopping distance", so it shouldn't really make much difference in a
crash, either.

but i find the abs on my '02 legacy wagon sounds and feels horrible.
and it kicks in at stop signs and potholes, when i would really prefer
it not to.

unfortunately, i don't think it applies to the legacy. and i've got
some nice, fancy, aftermarket brake components on the car, which subie
dealers probably don't want to know about.

shucks!