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Subaru B9 Tribeca Transmisson Problems

113 messages,  Last post on Feb 13, 2013 at 8:13 PM

You are in the Subaru B9 Tribeca Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru B9 Tribeca, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 12

#47 of 113 B9 Tribeca, Transmission Porblem. by sept2martin

Nov 17, 2008 (9:32 am)

Further to my last post regarding my 2008 Tribeca with a transmission torque converter lock-up problem that behaves exactly like a "missfire".......
    I now have 13000 km on the car and still have the same problem....might even be a bit worse! When in 5th gear, either in Sport mode or Drive, and doing about 2000-2200 rpm, and under load as in climbing a slight grade or gentle acceleration to pass another vehicle, the car behaves exactly like a "missfire". Some times it will do it once or twice and sometimes many more times in rapid succession.
    I have had it to the dealer about five times for this problem, and each time they tell me it is the computer and the torque converter not locking up, or locking up intermittently. They advise there is no cure for the problem and they all do it.
    The district technical representative had a look at it and said the same thing. Said I had a very " light foot " on the accelerator. Said his Legacy did the same. No cure for the problem, but if Subaru came up with a cure they would let me know!! How nice of them!!
     Having owned many different AWD vehicles and having heard so many good things about Subaru, we decided on this Tribeca. This is my first and last Subaru!
     If this problem is so common, I do not know how so many people out driving Subarus can put up with this problem??!!

#48 of 113 Re: B9 Tribeca, Transmission Porblem. [sept2martin] by xwesx

Nov 17, 2008 (5:32 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Nov 17, 2008 9:32 am)
No, not common, not normal. What they are really saying is that the computer is not telling them anything and therefore they do not know where to start. Have you ridden with any of them to demonstrate the issue? Five times.... sounds like it is time for you to research the Lemon Law(s) in your state.

#49 of 113 Re: B9 Tribeca, Transmission Porblem. [sept2martin] by 1bcpastor

Nov 17, 2008 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Nov 17, 2008 9:32 am)
We have an '06 Tribeca. Had the same problem about 14 months ago. I was frustrated that they could not duplicate the problem; though it happened to me 6 times.
   It finally "misfired" again and I drove straight to the dealer and had them put in on the computer and take it for a drive (I drove & the mechanic rode holding the computer). It showed a misfire on all cylinders.
   When I shut the car off and restarted it to drive, the computer said no problems. In the past, after shutting it off, it would run fine for a day or a couple weeks and then "misfire" again.
   The problem wound up being trash in the fuel tank and the fuel pump was stopping up. It did seem to get worse when the tank was less than 1/4. When the car is shut off, the pump shuts off, the blockage falls down into the tank and "goes away" for another day.
   Oh yeah, the fuel pump, removing the fuel tank to drain/clean, and replacing the fuel filter is NOT covered by the warranty!! Try keeping more than 1/4 tank of fuel and see if that makes a difference.
   Hope that helps. There was a computer upgrade that was supposed to adjust the cold idle. That helped the cold idle, but not the misfire feeling. Good luck.
   We have not had any further problems since the cleaning. We love the Tribeca and would recommend the Subaru to anyone! We have been pleased with it and the kids love it (even though we didn't get the DVD/Nav system).

#50 of 113 Clanking noise when going from Park to Reverse by garyphilip

Dec 01, 2008 (2:40 pm)

I just purchased a new 2008 Tribeca. My driveway has a slight incline. When I shift from Park to Reverse, I hear a clanking noise. When I am on a level surface the shifting is fine and there is no noise. When I discussed with the dealer's technicians, I was told this is normal, and to alleviate the noise to put on the emergency brake. I told the technician that the incline was very small and that I was really concerned. Especially when I have owned and rented many cars over a 20 year span. He again stated that this is normal for AWD Subaru's. Therefore I am inquiring if this is indeed "normal".

#51 of 113 Re: Clanking noise when going from Park to Reverse [garyphilip] by ateixeira

Dec 01, 2008 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: garyphilip (Dec 01, 2008 2:40 pm)
I would hold the brake with your foot until the parking brake is set. That way the brake is holding the weight of the car, and not the transmission. This is a general recommendation I've heard, not Subaru-specific. Out of habit I do this will all my cars.

#52 of 113 Re: Clanking noise when going from Park to Reverse [ateixeira] by xwesx

Dec 01, 2008 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 01, 2008 3:05 pm)
This is normal, especially on a more pronounced incline, but you might consider trying the same scenario in a different Tribeca (test drive?) to see what happens. If it is the same in the same car, I would say it is normal. It should not harm anything, but peace of mind counts for a lot.

#53 of 113 Re: B9 Tribeca, Transmission Porblem. [1bcpastor] by sept2martin

Dec 02, 2008 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: 1bcpastor (Nov 17, 2008 5:46 pm)
My problem has not showed up on any computer checks. It has been isolated to the torque converter. Subaru called me a week or so ago and advised me that they were changing the torque converter for me as they have had a few of these problems.
Let us hope this clears it.
thanks for your response.
 

#54 of 113 Re: Hesitation and vibrations between 2nd and 3rd gear [drpeace] by ilushka03

Dec 02, 2008 (9:46 pm)

Replying to: drpeace (Jun 24, 2008 10:38 am)
I have the same problem with shifting between 2nd and 3rd. When engine is warm, and driving it slowly/smooth acceleration it sounds like it takes longer to switch to 3rd and unusual quiet skipping sound... however, when driving in the morning or when engine is cold, it does a hard shift with a loud noise (kind of like the rpm were not right during the switch) and it sounds like it is not good for the transmission. I had it inspected by the dealer several times and last time they adjusted the computer, which didn't help at all... I am getting ready to call them again and have them look at it(maybe take i for a drive with a mechanic)
If anyone had similar issues, please reply with results...
 
Thanks,
 
Eli

#55 of 113 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift by jimsimp3

Dec 30, 2008 (12:41 am)

I have a 2008 tribeca with about 3700 miles and it also suffers from a rough upshift, (2nd-3rd) at around 2500 rpm. I first thought it was contributed to a after-market trans cooler (the dealer said have it removed because it is not needed). Now that I see others are having the same or similar issues perhaps it is a design flaw.
I am going to have the cooler removed but doubt if that solves the issue. I will keep you posted.

#56 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [jimsimp3] by ccolt1

Jan 04, 2009 (10:12 am)

Replying to: jimsimp3 (Dec 30, 2008 12:41 am)
Please update us on the problem once you have it worked on.I have a 2008 Tribeca with about 2400 miles and just started to notice every once and awhile it feels different between 2nd and 3rd.It feels like it is shifting hard into 3rd.Thanks

Messages Page 6 of 12

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