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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 7 of 12

#57 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [jimsimp3] by sept2martin

Jan 04, 2009 (11:42 am)

Replying to: jimsimp3 (Dec 30, 2008 12:41 am)
I have the same problem with mine, plus the fact that the torque converter will not say locked up and seems to slip, though the transmission will not shift down into fourth.
They are putting a new tourque converter into mine....doubt that this will affect any of the rough shifts, though.
Seems that from all the complaints I see, that there is a design fault with this transmission.
I would be very surprised if removing the transmission cooler will improve the rough shift.....?
Good luck.
Have you noted any knocking from the front suspension? I have from day one. Also note that the steering stops cause a knock at full turn when turning full lock when doing slow maneuvers as with parking, etc.
 

#58 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [sept2martin] by jimsimp3

Jan 04, 2009 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Jan 04, 2009 11:42 am)
I had the transmission cooler removed (it was a 3rd party model installed by U-Haul).
Surprisingly the transmission now shifts very smoothly and the engine revs at a lower RPM during normal driving. I did not mention that my gas mileage has been terrible since the cooler was installed. The engine seemed to rev at 2500-3000 RPM at normal speed. It now is around 2000 RPM.

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

Jan 06, 2009 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: jimsimp3 (Jan 04, 2009 12:15 pm)
Oops I spoke too soon ! I noticed a little rough upshift today. It seems to occur on aggressive acceleration (not hard or drag racing) at 2500 rpm. If I "baby" it on acceleration there is no problem and it shifts very smoothly. I never noticed it before. I will test drive one some day to see if it is normal for this model. I hope not. My previous Toyota 4-Runners & Honda CRVs all shifted pretty smoothly.

#60 of 113 Re: Hesitation and vibrations between 2nd and 3rd gear [ilushka03] by dean7

Jan 19, 2009 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: ilushka03 (Dec 02, 2008 9:46 pm)
I have a 2008 and my transmission did exactly the same thing between 3rd and 4th gear. It sort of softly "slammed" into 4th gear. To make a long story short, the dealer erased the computer program and "reloaded" it. It solved the problem pretty much 98%. There is now a very, very slight rough shift from 2nd to 3rd, but very tolerable and not upon normal acceleration, only when driving real slow. Ask the dealer about this option.

#61 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [ccolt1] by dean7

Jan 19, 2009 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: ccolt1 (Jan 04, 2009 10:12 am)
See my post above. Erasing the transmission computer program at the dealer and reloading it took care of the rough shift problem.

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

Jan 28, 2009 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Dec 02, 2008 8:40 pm)
My torque converter was changed and I still have a problem akin to an engine miss when the engine is under load in 5th gear (example a slight hill, or gently accelerating to pass another vehicle).
They are taking the car back again for more testing. I have had this problem since day one and now have 16,000 km on it.
Hope the problem is found.
 

#63 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [ccolt1] by first_tram

Jan 29, 2009 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: ccolt1 (Jan 04, 2009 10:12 am)
My dealer has reburned the transmission control computer twice. The third time I took it in, they "performed transmission bleed and calibration". The service rep said this was the next step after an unsuccessful result from the burn on the computer. It definitely has a different feel to it now, smoother on the shift and stronger torque right after the shift.
 
I also described the feeling I got when I goosed it at a stop light. Most cars creep when you ease off the brake. The Tribeca wasn't doing this. Instead, it grabbed/slammed into first when I put down the pedal. That now seems to have gone away. I'll report back in a couple of weeks and let you know if this repair holds up.
 
This forum helped me describe my problem to the service guys. Nice job!

#64 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [sept2martin] by sept2martin

Mar 31, 2009 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Jan 04, 2009 11:42 am)
Further to my last entry of Jan4 2009, I have had the torque converter changed and various issues apparently dealt with or read on the computer.
The problem remains.....may even be worse!!
At about 80 to 110 kph if accelerating or climbing a grade, the sensation is just like an engine misfire. A jerking sensation which I am told is due to the torque converter not locking up or the transmission not shifting down into fourth.
My car now has 20,000 km on it and it has had this problem since I bought it!!
 Frequent visits to the dealer and a visit from the local Subaru representative, have not sorted it out, even for a short while.
Would I buy another Subaru. Not likely, although the local dealer has done everything they know how to do.
I have been reluctant to tow a small single axle trailer because of the matter.

#65 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [first_tram] by km888

Nov 07, 2009 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: first_tram (Jan 29, 2009 8:57 pm)
My 2008 Tribeca has had the same issues since day one. It had 8,000 miles when I purchased it. I noticed that the transmission would slip sometimes when entering the freeway, or attempting to pass. Not everytime though. I also had the sharp jerk when starting from a complete stop. I took it in for service and when I went to pick it up, the jerking from a stop had been corrected, but they said that they couldn't duplicate the slipping I was describing. I had to take one of the techs on a drive. I stepped on it and the RPM's hit 6000, but the car didn't react, he agreed there was a problem and I left it. This is what's interesting.
 
They claimed that there was goo on my brakes and that's why it jerked when took my foot off the brake, and at that point claimed to have only cleaned them and not touched the transmission.
Then they said the machine they needed to use was in need of a part.
Then the tech that knows how to use it was on vacation.
They wanted to me to take it home and worry about it at a later date.
Finally they told me that the transmission needed to be reprogrammed.
It was okay for a little while, but not long enough.
There is a constant drag, as though I left the parking brake partially on, my MPG drops to 12. It doesn't coast, even at an downward incline.
I asked them if any of these issues are common with the Tribeca, they said I'm the only one who has these issues. Obviously, this is not true. I've had the car in four times, and everytime they call me and make me come down to take one of the techs for a ride. I am sick of dealing with this. I wish I had bought another Outback.
Has anyone been successful with returning a Tribeca?

#66 of 113 Re: 2008 Tribeca Rough Shift [km888] by sept2martin

Nov 08, 2009 (11:55 am)

Replying to: km888 (Nov 07, 2009 2:57 pm)
I am currently trying to get an advocate group to take up my cause with Subaru here in British Columbia, Canada.
I know of no one who has returned a Subaru Tribeca.
I must post again on the Car Reviews section.
I will post here again when I know anything further. Good luck with your cause, and let us know how you do.
 

Messages Page 7 of 12

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