toxic effects in a Subaru Imprezza Sport (2016)

[Sarah Boardman]

Since I bought an Imprezza Sport in April 2016, I have had serious problems with toxic effects.

 

1. Overpowering smell of new car; within a week I had headaches, sneezing, congested head, raspy throat, etc. Lasted one month, The dealer took the car for two weeks and aired it out day and night.

 

2. First time I used defroster was in a heavy rainstorm with black out conditions. A film formed on the outside of the windshield resembling popcorn packaging. Vision greatly impaired on a dark highway. On coming lights from cars blinded vision, and I had to stop the car.

 

3. After a two hour drive with air conditioning running, developed same symptoms as #1. Lasted two weeks.

 

4. During two 7-hour drives, blacked out. On one trip, car ran off edge of road. On the other trip, car ran into on-coming lane. (No traffic, fortunately!)

 

5. Twice after driving with air conditioning running, became breathless when walking in areas that normally are no problem.

 

Has anyone else had such experiences or heard of same? I do not normally have any of these symptoms.

[1 Lucky Texan]

make sure the a/c condensation drain is open and the cabin air filter is not wet or growing mold.

 

do any passengers complain of problems?

 

new ANYTHING can outgas vapors at first. Cars can be a little worse as they are closed-up areas and contain a lot of plastics.

 

Perhaps an allergy/asthma specialist could test you for substances commonly found in new cars?

[vtwinjunkie]

Echoing what texan said, could be mold etc...Otherwise, Have you ever experienced this before with any other car? is this your first new car? 

 

Could be an allergy of some sort. 

[idosubaru]

***What did the dealer say?
Take it back and demonstrate the issues. 

Take it to a another dealer. 

 

The defroster runs the A/C - so this sounds like it may be directly linked to the A/C.  

Does it change if you switch the setting from interior air to external air (if equipped, i think every subau i've ever owned has that functionality?). 

 

I know this is entirely impractical but it sounds to me like you need to stop driving the car immediately, no matter what that means.  You're endangering yourself and others.

 

If something is lasting two weeks, creating films, and noxious fumes, and has those large directly linked to the A/C system - I would think this should be easy to demonstrate in person at the dealer.

[Fairtax4me]

It's not uncommon for people to have negative effects from the fumes created in a new car. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. The Subaru dealer did some good by letting it air out for a few weeks, but the chemials used in production of a new car can take 6 months to a year to totally dissipate. It's best to leave the windows cracked slightly whenever you can. If the car sits in a hot parking lot with the windows all closed up the fumes will be much worse due to the heat. A slightly open window will allow those times to escape.

Same goes for when you drive long distances. Keep a window cracked open a little to let fresh air vent in/out of the car. Also remember to pull off at a gas station or rest stop at least every 2 hours to stretch and get some fresh air, drinks, snacks, etc.

 

The spotting/fogging problem with the windshield is somewhat common to newer vehicles. It's created by running the defrost, which uses the AC to dry the air and remove fog from the inside of the windshield. The problem is this cools the windshield, and causes moisture to condense on the outside, which creates that spotting pattern as rain hits the glass.

 

There are a few things you can do to prevent that. The best thing is to adjust the temperature control so the defrost is not blowing cold air onto the windshield. Set the temperature for something that is close to outside air temp.

Only use the defrost function if it's absolutely needed. Try running it for just a few minutes to clear the windshield, then switch to the normal vent or vent/floor setting.

Use the recirculate function in wet/rainy weather. Using the fresh air function will continuously pull in that moist air from outside and will cause fogging of the windows. Using the recirculate air function will not draw in outside air, and the air inside will be dried by the evaporator core as it circulates through the car, which will help prevent fogging of the windows.

[sparkyboy]

Wow! I'm glad that you are safe after losing consciousness twice while driving! Maybe make a deal with a friend or neighbor and trade cars for a little while until all of the chemical fumes dissipate a little.

Maybe take the car in for a detail job? Perhaps some cleaning and compressed air sprayed throughout the interior will help.

Sorry I can't give any better advice! I hope it works out for you.

If all else fails I would just trade for a car two years old or so.

[Mickey Maz]

I have a 2004 Outback Wagon.  A few years ago I developed some of the same symptoms you have.  My dog refused to get into the car. I went out and bought a carbon monoxide  detector..started the car and put on the heater with windows closed and did not get into vehicle..sure enough the alarm went off. I suggest you do the same to see if that is what is happening..you have a lot of the symptoms..and it will kill you. It corrected itself after a while...my brother said it sounded like some valve was probably stuck in the open position

[DaveT]

Oh, CO problem. Yikes! Yes, check that out. Somehow exhaust may be getting in.

[crazyhorse001]

I have copd, and had similar issues with a beloved impreza wagon. Mine was a flood victim. I finally had to sell the car due to mold in the heater box. I tried all the "smell buster" products, and even bleaching the heat/ac coils. None of which helped me from coughing uncontrollably in that car.

Things to try... the smell buster products, have the dealer clean the heat/ac coils with cleaner. Replace the cabin filter with a hepa filter.

[DaveT]

If it is in the heater core, and ac evaporator, it could be in the ductwork also.