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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

#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.

#84 of 113 Unresolved Issue by ttribecca

Sep 28, 2011 (8:32 am)

About a month ago my B9 Tribecca started to "chug" when I started it. The chugging would stop and I would drive, then the car started hesitating and seemed like it was losing power. Then the check engine light came on. I took it in to the Subaru dealer. They said put a bottle of gas booster in, and put in premium gas. Then bring the car back in for a re-check. I did that, the check engine light came on, car was chugging on start and hesitating again in a few days. I took it in again. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. Told me to do the same thing I did before.
 
I have since tried a cleaner added to the gas, but that doesn't seem to help either, same problems exist. I did notice that the last two times when it has gone down to 1/4 tank, the engine light goes off, and the car runs better.
 
Any ideas as to what is wrong with the car? This is very frustrating.
 
Thanks.

#85 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [ttribecca] by xwesx

Sep 28, 2011 (8:45 am)

Replying to: ttribecca (Sep 28, 2011 8:32 am)
What was the code being recorded in the system? If you weren't given that information from the dealer, you might consider picking up a code reader (they cost $100 or less) and pulling it yourself the next time.
 
I almost think it is a problem with the knock sensor.

#86 of 113 filter may be dirty by 1bcpastor

Sep 28, 2011 (8:49 am)

I understand your frustration. Ours was very similar. We finally had to pull the fuel tank because it contained dirt/sediment that was clogging the fuel filter (sending unit in tank). After cleaning it out & replacing the filter, it has been fine. It doesn't take much sediment to cause problems in the fuel system. I found that I could shut the engine off for a minute or two and then it would run fine on restart. they said that would release the sediment from the sending unit & allow it to get "clean" fuel from the tank. We run premium 98% of the time; and try to limit the places we get fuel when possible. Hope that helps. BTW: it's not cheap to pull the tank, flush it, replace filter, and put it back together (approx. $2100 at the Dealer).

#87 of 113 Re: Unresolved Issue [xwesx] by ttribecca

Sep 28, 2011 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 28, 2011 8:45 am)
The dealer never mentioned the code. Can I just ask them for it? Shouldn't they have it in their documents? Also, stupid question, but what does the code tell you?

Messages Page 9 of 12

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