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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8642 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 10:18 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 270 of 865

#2689 of 8642 Should I sell my Legacy NOW!? by glenford

Feb 16, 2004 (7:03 am)

1996 Legacy LSi Wagon. Since September of last year, I have....
9/8 CEL - replace coil and wires $409
12/8 Complete loss of power on a hill - NTF
12/17 CEL - Fuel induction service $100
1/12 CEL - Idle Air Control Valve $125
1/19 CEL - Valve replacement $600 ( 1/2 price)
2/3 Alternator and battery $257
 
The car spent days between 12/8 and 12/17 in the shop, and all except one day in the shop between 1/12 and 1/19. Car has 99K miles, was bought new by me and always serviced at our local Subaru dealer. All of this trouble happened over less than 4000 miles. From the first CEL to now, every time we brought it in they fixed something, but we got rough running and another CEL pretty quickly. That means one of two things to me - either they are fixing the wrong things, or EVERY time I take it in there are two things wrong - the one they fixed and the one they still haven't. Car is running fine since last rcvd (fingers crossed here), but I spent about $2K on it in the last 12 months. I should have bought a new car (and not a Subaru, based on this). My confidence in the dealer is now very low. I suspect they screwed something up in the valve service (requires engine removal, according to them) that destroyed the alternator. Is this car waiting to massively fail, and should I sell now while it's running? I expected to get lots more miles out of it than this with better reliability. Our 95 Honda had no unscheduled maintenance over its lifetime. Any thoughts?

#2690 of 8642 glenford by c_hunter

Feb 16, 2004 (7:57 am)

I get the impression your mechanic is taking the gorilla approach (just keep replacing different parts at your expense) without properly diagnosing the problem. This is certainly uncharacteristic for a Subaru of this mileage.
 
Was there any significant problem associated with the first event other than a CEL? Because a CEL by itself is no reason to replace the coil pack and wires -- you'd have to be experiencing a rough engine and/or loss of power (possibly intermittant) before going in that direction. On the other end of the list, the car would have to be blowing smoke and/or burning oil before I'd go for a valve job.
 
I suspect there's something wrong that they have not properly diagnosed, and it's unfortunate you have to fund their research! This is a case where I would not blame Subaru, but would instead have issues with the dealer.
 
Craig

#2691 of 8642 re: Should I sell it now? by fibber2

Feb 16, 2004 (8:01 am)

Tim,
 
Kind of sounds like my '93 Toyota. Ran virtually trouble free for 85k miles until '01, then cost me $2.5k in a likewise narrow window for a variety of problems. How do you predict what will come next? The 'problems Gods' might be satisfied, and you might run for another year or two and recoup the outlay, or there might be another headache waiting for you around the corner.
 
If you liked the car otherwise but are beginning to feel uneasy about it, then it is time to trade towards another Subaru while it still has some value.
 
Steve

#2692 of 8642 Sell it now? (Craig & Steve) by glenford

Feb 16, 2004 (8:53 am)

Thanks to you both for the feedback - perhaps we'll also see others with similar experience come out in time.
 
The first CEL svc writeup says "MIL perform select monitor code for misfire test" & "System needs coil and wires". Not a lot of info there to me. I can't recall if it ran rough, but it probably did for a moment (at this point I didn't realize it was the start of a string of problems). For the last one, it ran rough for 1/2 mile, then cleared - svc says "Exhaust valves not seating properly due to carbon."
 
We also had oil pump seals done at 47K and 65K miles, and leaking valve cover gaskets at 73K.
 
I do think the dealer represents Subaru, though - they are my point of contact. In Glenford (my town) it's the difference between 20 minutes and 35 minutes to go to the next nearest dealer - but that might be a good investment.
 
As to trading for another Subaru - I looked at new "B"-six models a year ago when I bought a used RX300. (Also drove Murano, Passat, A4, CRV...) Subaru was too much money for not enough value above the 4 for me. Plus, with a service history like this, my brand loyalty is not high. But you put your finger on the heart of it - get out now while it's running well, or hang on and hope? Tim

#2693 of 8642 Tim - I'm sorry you've had the problems you've listed - I'd suggest by subaru_team

Feb 16, 2004 (10:00 am)

that you open a case with us at 1-800-SUBARU3. Or, the better option - please send us a letter and include all of the RO's that you have (including the maintenance history). Please make sure you supply the VIN and the name of the dealer that services the vehicle. I can't handle the case directly, but please add a note to the letter advising the Rep. that I (Patti Mickel) would like to review the file. We'll see what we can do to keep you as a Subaru customer. I hope you give us a chance.
 
Patti

#2694 of 8642 SOA (Patti) by glenford

Feb 16, 2004 (11:25 am)

Patti - thanks for the concern. What address would I send it to? The 800# is closed today for the natl holiday. Tim

#2695 of 8642 2002 GT WAGON by aline7

Feb 16, 2004 (11:48 am)

I HAVE A 2002 LEGACY GT WAGON. WE HAVE NOTICED A RATTLE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN THE CEILING. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS?

#2696 of 8642 Hey Tim - sorry - I guess the address would help! by subaru_team

Feb 16, 2004 (12:14 pm)

It is:
 
Customer Dealer Services
Subaru of America, Inc.
P. O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Attn: Lana
 
Lana handles most of our correspondence and she reports to me. If you address it to her, I know I'll get a chance to review the letter and docs. Just let her know that you are sending it to her at my request.
 
Thanks! I appreciate the opportunity.
 
Patti

#2697 of 8642 Seat Belt Rattle by rob_m

Feb 16, 2004 (12:32 pm)

I have an 03 Outback, and this happens every once in a while. Try retracting the belt, then check that the buckle is clipped back into the ceiling holder correctly.

#2698 of 8642 seat belt rattle by aline7

Feb 16, 2004 (1:15 pm)

Thank you Rob I will see if that works

Messages Page 270 of 865

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