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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 9 of 12

#74 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [barefootrunner] by sept2martin

Dec 13, 2009 (6:41 pm)

Replying to: barefootrunner (Dec 13, 2009 4:08 pm)
My 2008 Tribeca is basically a good car. Lots of room, reasonably comfortable, and safe.
Had I my choice back, with all I have experienced, I would have selected another make for about the same money. I cannot comment on the new Outback, except that I beieive it likely has the same engine and transmission as the Tribeca. I do not know what its towing capacity is either if that is something you might intend to use it for. IF they can correct the problem for you, and I mean TRULY CORRECT it!! then I guess it would be a good car for you. (We have 30,000 km on ours, and although this problem has always been there, the car has otherwise been fault free!)
Interesting, we moved from Florida to BC, Canada, where we reside now on Vancouver Is.
Let me know how you make out......I guess if you have any doubts, getting them to take it back would be the safest way out.

#75 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [sept2martin] by barefootrunner

Dec 22, 2009 (7:45 am)

Replying to: sept2martin (Dec 13, 2009 6:41 pm)
Shudder seems to be gone! Here's an update. The morning that I dropped off my 2009 Tribeca to the dealer, we spent 20 minutes driving and duplicated the 'shudder' that occurred at 45mph and ~2K rpm at least 4 times. As suspected, the torque converter was slipping. Service tech confirmed ~100hp loss at gear change. Tech also mentioned that he has seen this before, turns out transmission fluids are 'contaminated' from the factory. They performed an entire tranny flush and another re-learn. With nearly a fully week and 100+ miles my Tribeca runs and shifts very smoothly. Hopefully it will stay this way. Happy Holidays everyone! David.

#76 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [barefootrunner] by ondosh

Feb 04, 2010 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: barefootrunner (Dec 22, 2009 7:45 am)
Hi I have a 2008 subaru bought from Rochester. After 3 months of use it started behave strange between gears 2 and 3 i.e. there the transmission would not take accelaration for a second and there would be an abrubt power surge (almost like the car got hit behind) . They reprogrammed the transmission and restarted learning process. The problem was gone for almost a year and now it resurrected but this time much less severe and infrequent. Since it does not happen all the time I did not bother taking it to the delaer in Ottawa since I know they will clain " problem not reproducible" . Any suggestions ?...

#77 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [ondosh] by sept2martin

Feb 04, 2010 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: ondosh (Feb 04, 2010 2:16 pm)
I would take it to them so that your complaint is documented, whether they find it or not.
Best of luck.
  I still have the original transmission problem with mine. Have two emails and registered letter into Subaru Canada. No reply. I think they are ignoring me.
The dealer that I last took it to identified the symptom, but was unable to repair. Subaru advised the mechanic that is was not repairable,,,,but they seem disinterested in doing anything about it.
I am ready to take legal action, and make it very public.
 

#78 of 113 Re: Tribeca 2008 - Lemon in WA [sept2martin] by sept2martin

Feb 16, 2010 (12:00 am)

Replying to: sept2martin (Nov 10, 2009 12:14 pm)
Update on my last post.
One of our local dealers, who agreed there was a problem, kept the vehicle for about a month.
Was very thorough and contacted Subaru Canada repeatedly as they walked the technician through all the possibilities that might be causing the sensation of slippage in 5th gear (drive or sport mode) at about 2000rpm,, that is, highway speed.
Another torque converter was replaced, they found no improvement. Subaru made other suggestions, changing plugs, checking solenoids, replacing anti-knock sensors, etc.. The technician could not clear the problem. The dealer was advised by Subaru Canada that the problem could not be fixed.
After repeated Calls to Subaru Canada and a registered letter, I have heard nothing back.
I am not put off that easily. Keep posting your beefs!

#79 of 113 Re: Tribeca 2008 - Lemon by sept2martin

Mar 23, 2010 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: sept2martin (Feb 16, 2010 12:00 am)
Have spoken to SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE repeatedly over the past three weeks. Was advised about three weeks ago that they would definitely get back to
me in a couple of days. Heard nothing and have called back every few days, with no contact made. They are ignoring me quite deliberately. Not even a phone response!
NOTHING!
SUBARU has lost me and any of my friends or acquaintances as customers.
Have not given up working on them, though.

#80 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [barefootrunner] by sglou

Nov 09, 2010 (4:22 pm)

Replying to: barefootrunner (Dec 22, 2009 7:45 am)
My Wife's 08 Tribeca has, or should I say HAD the same shudder / vibration during trans shift under slight acceleration. After 3 visits to the dealer and demanding an explination I came across this forum. Needless to say I printed up all of the posts and highlighted all that pertained to our problem. The Service Manager read through it and went on Subaru's website to see if a Service Bulletin was issued.
Sure enough, there it was in black and white. Subaru admits to a faulty Torque Converter and it was replaced 2 weeks ago. The wife is now happy as all of the sluggish shifting , shudder and vibration is gone ! THANK GOD we got the Extended Warrenty
 
Here is the first page of that Subaru Service Bulletin:
 
Subaru Service Bulletin Number: 16-74-09
                                                Date: 03/18/09
 
Applicability: 2009 / 09 MY Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo, 5AT and 3.0L 5AT
                          2008 / 09 MY Tribeca 3.6L, 5AT
Subject: 5AT Torque Converter Shudder / Vibration
 
Introduction:
  If you encounter a vehicle that has a shudder/vibration which could be felt in 3rd, 4th and
  5th gear during slight acceleration, it may be caused by the transmission torque converter during lockup operation. A countermeasure was made to the final machining process of the sliding surface for the lock up clutch to provide stabilization and eliminate the shudder/ vibration.
 
COUNTERMEASURE IN PRODUCTION:
 MODEL START OF PRODUCTION TRANSMISSION
                                                                                                    ( Starting # )
 
Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo Jan.9, 2009 316632
Legacy / Outback 3.0L Feb 5, 2009 316978
Tribeca 3.6L Feb. 18, 2009 317369
 
PARTS INFORMATION / TORQUE CONVERTER
 
MODEL PART NUMBER (NEW) PART NUMBER (OLD)
 
2008 / 09 Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo 31100AB122 31100AB121 / 120
2008 / 09 Legacy / Outback 3.0L 31100AB132 31100AB131 / 130
2008 / 09 Tribeca 3.6L 31100AB142 31100AB141 / 140
 
I hope this information will help others !

#81 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca Transmission [sglou] by sept2martin

Nov 09, 2010 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: sglou (Nov 09, 2010 4:22 pm)
Thank you for your post.
My problem is only present in 5th gear whether in sport (manual) mode or automatic mode.
I have had 2 torque converters replaced with absolutely no improvement.
I am present still fighting with Subaru over the issue 2 1/2 years after buying my car new. The problem was there at my 1000km scheduled visit.
Most recently they have installed two separate monitors in the vehicle and I am still waiting for their final report.
Subaru customer support service has mentioned replacing the vehicle, but I am still waiting. They do not respond to my calls.
Draw your own conclusions.

#82 of 113 2007 Tribeca B9 Automactic by rexistheone

Jul 22, 2011 (8:50 am)

My 2007 Tribeca B9 Automatic has started shuddering as you accelerate. Any suggestions

#83 of 113 Re: 2007 Tribeca B9 Automactic [rexistheone] by sept2martin

Jul 22, 2011 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: rexistheone (Jul 22, 2011 8:50 am)
Hate to say this. but Subaru will not help you. I spent three years trying to sort out a shuddering transmission on a 2008 Tribeca, while still under warranty, and they refused to help...going so far as to send me a letter stating that my case was closed. I sold it and bought a BMW X5.diesel. Expensive but light years ahead of the Tribeca. My Tribeca is still on the lot 4 months later.
Subaru is prepared to take a hit on the Tribeca which has been a dismal failure when compared to their other vehicles. It is evident they will not spend any money or time to resolve issue with the Tribeca.
Sorry I cannot be more positive. Good luck.

Messages Page 9 of 12

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