2011 wrx cracked lower front bumper

[DiRTyDT]

Originally Posted by Ashby

kinda along the same lines, where to get replacement grommets/rivets that you just snap/press into place? you know the ones that hold the front bumper on, my wheel well is missing a few

Let us know what you find. I broke all 3 off my drivers side wheel well this morning. I bought a couple from auto-something store and they don't fit right.

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[danrheller]

Obviously we had to tap something....but the car has NEVER hit anything nearly hard enough to crack a bumper....and yes..it's plastic.....plastic is pretty strong though, with this many cars getting a cracked bumper in the same location...seems like a weakpoint to me.

[wrxdrvr]

Originally Posted by danrheller

Obviously we had to tap something....but the car has NEVER hit anything nearly hard enough to crack a bumper....and yes..it's plastic.....plastic is pretty strong though, with this many cars getting a cracked bumper in the same location...seems like a weakpoint to me.

Well obviously it DID hit something hard enough to break/crack it... Sorry but that's just how I see it, and that's how Subaru or anyone else who you would like to see paying for it will see it. (insurance, Subaru rep...) JMO

EDIT; I guess what I've been trying to say is, that I don't think it broke by itself, I KNOW mine didn't... It isn't that cheap of a piece... Again, JMO

[GotWRX?]

Originally Posted by danrheller

i think it may be a problem with the 2011's.....every 2011 i hear of with a cracked bumper is on the lower drivers side, we found a crack in our today when doing the fmic.

Hmm...Not yet convinced that its a common problem, like the rattling passenger door, but my bumper cover cracked at that exact location from scraping a steep driveway last week. Totally underestimated the steepness. Crack started at the one of the empty holes on the underside of the bumper and spread 3-4 inches upwards. I'm guessing those holes are to attach a lip, but seems like a good place for a crack to start. Took of the bumper yesterday and applied some dry wall joint tape and 3M Bumper Repair on the inside. Seems to be holding up for now. Ill get it replaced if it gets worse.

[danrheller]

Originally Posted by GotWRX?

Hmm...Not yet convinced that its a common problem, like the rattling passenger door, but my bumper cover cracked at that exact location from scraping a steep driveway last week. Totally underestimated the steepness. Crack started at the one of the empty holes on the underside of the bumper and spread 3-4 inches upwards. I'm guessing those holes are to attach a lip, but seems like a good place for a crack to start. Took of the bumper yesterday and applied some dry wall joint tape and 3M Bumper Repair on the inside. Seems to be holding up for now. Ill get it replaced if it gets worse.

I'm not saying they just form cracks. But they are clearly a bit weaker in that spot because a bunch of people seem to have a crack in the same spot.

[littlewhitewagon]

Install the lower lip so it has something to hold it together... then it makes you more mindful to not smash your expensive lip on everything...

[davidmount]

Sorry to say I've seen about 4 of these at work. Seem to crack all the way through to, try contacting local dealer to have pictures taken of the damage and ask them to contact Subaru. But...Subaru is skittish about the damage, especially when the word impact is used or they see a scraping under the front part of the lower lip. Our local FOM actually wants to know when this is happening so Subaru can decide if there is something wrong with the new model.

[blindgoldfish z]

I noticed the grommet hole on my driver's side is has a crack through it. I don't see the crack spreading to the rest of the bumper yet.

I haven't hit anything harder than air with the car so far (only 1,500 miles on it).

[mightyatom]

So i just posted this about my 2011 wrx hatch (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2127261). I just went and looked and the grommet's were broken on the passenger side as well. FWIW, the bumper was hit fairly hard by someone turning around in a parking lot and the bumper was all gashed up but did not crack. I could see, however, that with all this cold weather we've had up north, those bumpers would get more and more brittle(easier to crack)

[MSMStannyl]

Is this really something new? What I mean is that hasn't this same "body kit" been on the STI's for like 2-3 years? Does anyone know if this has been a problem with them for the last few years or is this a 2011 WRX thing? Personally, I haven't had any issues yet. I've got 4000 miles on mine. Then again, I've been lucky enough to have not hit or scraped anything. I'm pretty anal about stopping short of curb's or those curb stops they put in parking lots. Every since my last car which was a hell of a lot lower than my Subaru I've learned to stop short of hitting anything.

BTW, someone mentioned something about getting a front lip? Anyone know where there might be pics of this front lip? I'm interested...

[kennyyu]

Originally Posted by Ashby

kinda along the same lines, where to get replacement grommets/rivets that you just snap/press into place? you know the ones that hold the front bumper on, my wheel well is missing a few

Just go to the dealer and ask for push clips. Should be fairly cheap

[brandlee]

My 11' WRX hit a pile of snow in 5 mph and it cracked on the middle of the bumper cover. If you press the cover by hand, you'll find it's not a strong structure and there is no support in the middle bottom part. That's why it breaks easily. A front lip might be a good way to strength the structure... a little bit.

[Lboogie]

winter temps + plastic + "mysterious" impact of a 3000Lb object = crack

[brandonk_5]

Crashing isn't cheap...

On a side not, my 11 wrx isn't showing any signs of cracks on the front bumper and I've 'tapped' a few snow banks while parking.

[pdotblanchard]

Mine is cracked these bumpers suckkk

[BigfootDenny]

Unfortunately, I joined the cracked bumper club yesterday with my 2011 WRX ....
tapped a snowbank at low speed on right front... tore a piece off the lower lip of the bumper and cracked it too... Amazing how flimsy and brittle the bumper seems. As many have stated, there is virtually no reinforcement for the cover. A bit disappointing to say the least.

If anyone has turned up affordable replacement options, I'd be interested in hearing of them. OEM, or aftermarket.

-BigfootDenny

FWIW -- my feeling is that the bumper covers are in fact low-quality, and much too fragile. Yes, it's cold up here now, but this very minor impact should not have fractured the cover, IMO.

[patricksmith04]

What are these things made of? Fiberglass?

[playultimate2]

Originally Posted by patricksmith04

What are these things made of? Fiberglass?

Me too... lost a run in with some packed snow. My bad, but what do you guys think it will cost to fix?

[Landin2010]

AWD does not make YOU a better driver!

[QwaktastiK]

Joined this club today. Needless to say, I have an '09 and don't know if repair or replacement is the better option. If it's the matter of $100-$200 I'd rather just get an aftermarket bumper or replacement OEM rather than repair. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[SomeoneWhoIsntMe]

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-pie...set-99695.html

[BigfootDenny]

IMO, it's done. The bumper covers are $269... then you gotta get it painted... see my photo two posts above yours....
in the meantime... check out this thread / video which shows how easy it is to loosen the bumper cover (or remove it).
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1926975
Then you can easily re-fasten the plastic clip section that joins your fender and the bumper cover. Mine looked just like yours at the seam, but I re-fastened it today easily in 10 minutes using instructions in the video... hopefully the cover will hold together until I decide what to replace it with...

[DiscoGsus]

I found out mine was cracked this morning.
I have 1400miles, with no impacts with cars, snowbanks, birds, or anything else.
I have scraped the underside of the front bumper on the outside edges (where its lower) But not enough to even get through the paint....

I have a 175,000mile 2002 WRX that I've rallycrossed and driven through hell and its never even lost a clip.

[playultimate2]

Thanks, Denny. With a little finesse, I was able to reseat the bumper cover so that unsightly gap is gone. I figure I'll get it replaced in the spring and be out about $600. I have no idea what painting and installation costs -- haven't called the shop yet.

[knighthawk1104]

wait these are made of plastic? not the usual polyurethane like other cars? im a little new to subaru but not that new to cars. it's shocking it's just plastic. my 2011 wrx hatch apparently has a crack also. i didn't see it yet but my dad told my mom which told me.

i think this just might be a minor fault in the design of these bumpers. i really hope they will do something about it because my rear bumper was in a hit and run so im not in the mood to fix the front bumper too.

EDIT: Here are my pics of the damage.