Ask the Car People.SM


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 299 of 865

#2974 of 8642 '04 SE Legacy Wagon automatic transmission problem by vermonta

Apr 08, 2004 (10:44 am)

'04 SE Legacy Wagon automatic transmission problem by vermonta Apr 08, 2004 (1:12 pm)
Had an '02 with no problems - got a good deal on an '04 and bought it. The very day I got the car I noticed/felt a minor shudder/vibration in the front end when accelerating slowly from a stop. The dealership said that this was just a new car and needed to be broken in. During the second week of ownership I was coming to a stop to turn around and go in the opposite direction. I came to a full stop, shifted into reverse and stepped on the accelerator and there was a clunking noise and perceptable movement/ shudder of something transmission related underneath and up front of the car. I then shifted into drive and stepped on the accelerator and the same noise and shudder occurred. I have not had a similar experience in the 9,000 miles since then, HOWEVER,there is still a minor shudder/vibration in the front end when accelerating slowing from a start and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, when I am at a full stop - with wheels turned to the left for a left hand turn - when I step on the accelerator, slowly, the right front wheel feels as if it is slipping or not grabbing initially.This is not typical of any other '04 that I have tested. The service dept. and lead technician tell me there is nothing "out-of-spec" and if there is something wrong - I'll have to wait till it outright fails--------------because, it is too expensive for them to take apart and search for the problem. I've called Subaru headquarters and they replied that when they contacted the dealership the response was that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the car. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be and what I may do to get Subaru to stand behind this six month old car? The dealership is not interested in keeping me as a customer.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------

#2975 of 8642 60k service - Question for SoA? by martijnh

Apr 08, 2004 (1:10 pm)

Thanks for the various responses to my 60k service pricing question. I would still like to hear from fellow SF Bay Area owners. However, I went through the paperwork and they *did* replace the timing belt at 60k. Did I authorize it? Yes. However, I (foolishly) expect the dealer to work according to guidelines set by Subaru of America. So from now on I have to make sure I'm intimately familiar with the 'required' vs. 'optional' maintenance. I would prefer to 'trust' the dealer for this...
I know the SoA folks post on this board. I would like to solicit their opinion. I am very fond of both our Outback and Forester, but this experience has definitely ticked me off. What (if any) is my recourse from here? I feel like I've been duped out of a few hundred $$$.

#2976 of 8642 60k service by ebony5

Apr 08, 2004 (1:28 pm)

Having the timing belt changed at the 60k service is recommended for my '96 OBW-after seeking advice from a variety of sources including this forum I also had the water pump replaced at additional expense

#2977 of 8642 Re: 60k service - Question for SoA? [martijnh #2975] by steve_ HOST

Apr 08, 2004 (1:53 pm)

Replying to: martijnh (Apr 08, 2004 1:10 pm)
I'd be irritated enough to complain to the state consumer protection agency. People complain about lawyers, but this is the kind of stuff that leads to big disclaimer signs everywhere.
 
That dealer needs one in 3 foot high letters that says Dealer Recommended Service Isn't What the Manufacturer Says is Required!
 
Steve, Host

#2978 of 8642 nothing SOA can do for you by paisan

Apr 08, 2004 (2:12 pm)

EVERY dealer works that way. So it's buyer beware. Why would you blanketly believe a car dealer? Do you live in a cloud and not watch the news or read the papers? I find it funny that you are suprised that a dealer "took you for a few hunderd $" I thought it was common knowledge that they live on their service departments to make $ rather than the initial sale!
 
-mike

#2979 of 8642 by steve_ HOST

Apr 08, 2004 (3:06 pm)

I dunno - lots of people read their owners manual and go to the dealer and ask for the 30 or 60k service, expecting the dealer to follow what the manufacturer puts in the manual.
 
There are still lots of dealer tricks out there that not everyone has heard of.
 
Here's another place to vent, Martijnh (and anyone else who wants to vent about dealers, lawyers, or stale donuts):
 
pf_flyer "Our Software! Your Questions Answered..." Apr 8, 2004 6:04pm
 
Steve, Host

#2980 of 8642 Re: nothing SOA can do for you [paisan #2978] by martijnh

Apr 08, 2004 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Apr 08, 2004 2:12 pm)
Unfortunately, you might be right (re: dealer behavior, not my place of residence). Now I *really* have an issue with this!! IMO, there is a very fine line between 'recommending service which is not required' and 'replacing costly parts which aren't broken/worn'. The latter is illegal. To me, a car is a complex and expensive piece of machinery. I rely on the dealer's expertise to maintain it properly. I wouldn't recognize a worn timingbelt if it hit me in the head. I don't mind paying the dealer for honest advice and service, but I'm offended by this unethical behavior.
Constructive comments welcome. Thanks!

#2981 of 8642 For one thing by paisan

Apr 08, 2004 (3:37 pm)

I'd ask to see the old one, it will look like cracked rubber and/or show fibers through the rubber if it is in fact worn. The only way I've ever seen one of the 105K belts worn at 60k was due to a failed waterpump or cracked T-belt housing which allowed contaminents to get in there.
 
I definitely would take issue with the dealer not at least Calling you to say "hey we found the belt to be bad, we are gonna replace it, is that ok?"
 
-mike

#2982 of 8642 by jfl

Apr 08, 2004 (9:21 pm)

mike has a good point. I wonder what the dealer would say if you asked "According to the Owner's Manual, the timing belt is changed at 105k, why did you change it at 60k?"
 
After they reply, you next question(s) could be: "Really? Exactly how many have you seen fail and what does SOA say about all these failures?" or "But if SOA says 105k it doesn't make sense to change it at 60k 'just to be safe' perhaps 90k but not 60k. I feel like I've been ripped off."
 
BTW would you email me the name of the dealer that did this so that I can avoid them? (I do my own service but I'll still avoid them for parts or anything else.)
 
Jim

#2983 of 8642 let's see the old part by steve_ HOST

Apr 08, 2004 (9:30 pm)

Yes, but many of us wouldn't recognize a Subaru timing belt from a Massey Ferguson tractor belt. Don't all the service departments keep a bunch of dead parts in a box under the counter just for questions like that?
 
Steve, Host

Messages Page 299 of 865

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement