# 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
> NHTSA complaint `724070` · 2009-06-17 · Subaru of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** SUBARU
- **Model:** IMPREZA
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Subaru of America, Inc.
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- **Miles at failure:** 120,000
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE (RIGHT REAR).  I CHANGED THE TIRE, USING THE "DONUT" IN THE CAR.  I DROVE ANOTHER 25 MILES NO FASTER THAN 40 MPH, AND US. SLOWER.  THEN A DRIVER BEHIND ME FLASHED HER LIGHTS SIGNALING ME TO STOP.  I STOPPED AND LEARNED MY CAR WAS BURNING UNDERNEATH, NEAR THE BACK.  WHEN I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT, I FOUND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BADLY DAMAGED.  IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, PERSONS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AWD WHEN DRIVING ON THE "DONUT."  OTHERWISE, DAMAGE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL IS LIKELY.  HOWEVER, NO SUCH SWITCH EXISTS FOR CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, WHICH I HAVE.  I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS, NOT GOING MORE THAN 50 MPH OR MORE THAN 50 MILES ON THE DONUT.  BUT I DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ANYWAY, AND THE FIRE (WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL SETTING THE UNDERCOATING ON FIRE) COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*