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SOA Warranty Problems & Questions

140 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2008 at 12:18 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Subaru SVX, Car Warranties

Messages Page 12 of 14

#111 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [xwesx] by bogey5

May 09, 2007 (9:52 am)

Replying to: xwesx (May 08, 2007 9:55 am)
Don't mind at all. I think that anything that contributes to better service at service centers helps us all.
 
The weather in the Northeast is spectacular today and for any friends in the mid-west especially Greensburg, KS our prayers are with you.

#112 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [bogey5] by acdial

Jun 27, 2007 (8:24 am)

Replying to: bogey5 (May 08, 2007 3:45 am)
Our follow-up: After breaking down in SC and having car towed to Subaru dealer in Savannah, car was diagnosed as having damaged differential and trans due to low differential fluid level. Subaru refused to cover under powertrain warranty (still in effect). They claimed mechanic must've drained fluid during most recent oil change (several days before break down). Took the issue to the mechanic, who said he would submit paperwork to his insurance company. We had to pester the mechanic several times before he finally gave us his insurance company contact info. We talked with an adjuster and submitted supporting documentation (service order from Subaru dealer, letter from SOA stating why they wouldn't cover under warranty, service records for the car showing regular required maitenance, etc.). Within 2 weeks of that, we got a check for $5,000 from the mechanic's insurance company. That amount covered the cost of repair, towing, and rental car. We actually traded the car as-is to the Toyota dealer affiliated with the Subaru dealer for a 2007 Rav4. The amount we lost in trade in value was also about $5,000. So we came out even and have a brand new car that we actually like better (roomier interior and better mileage than the Outback). It just took some persistance on our part. We still feel that SOA could have done a much better job in the customer service area. Due to that, we will never buy another Subaru.

#113 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [acdial] by ateixeira

Jun 27, 2007 (8:43 am)

Replying to: acdial (Jun 27, 2007 8:24 am)
Stories like that make me paranoid enough to change my own oil.
 
It's really the mechanic's fault, though, not Subaru's. How would you have wanted them to help more? I'm sure they backed off due to the liability issue.

#114 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [ateixeira] by paisan

Jun 27, 2007 (9:25 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 27, 2007 8:43 am)
I'm with Juice, how on earth could you hold SOA responsible for a mechanic's problem? That would be like me missing a shift and going into 3rd instead of 5th and blowing my trans, then complaining that SOA wouldn't cover it under warranty.
 
To each his own though.
 
-mike

#115 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [acdial] by snowbelter

Jun 27, 2007 (9:33 am)

Replying to: acdial (Jun 27, 2007 8:24 am)
I don't know how often this "mistake" with the wrong plug happens, but when it does the consequences are serious and expensive to fix. If these plugs are made of metal and look alike, couldn't Subaru stamp each of them with an O for oil, T for transmission, and D for differential?

#116 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [snowbelter] by ateixeira

Jun 27, 2007 (9:48 am)

Replying to: snowbelter (Jun 27, 2007 9:33 am)
Well, it's not a problem at dealerships. They seem to train their mechanics well enough to avoid that.
 
We had one Edmunds member take their Outback to Jiffy Lube and the same thing happened - they drained the transmission and then proceeded to overfill the engine oil.
 
I found at least one Sienna owner that had the same thing happen to them at a quicky lube place.
 
I'll do it myself, thanks.

#117 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [ateixeira] by bat1161

Jun 27, 2007 (10:13 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 27, 2007 9:48 am)
That is the risk you take not going to a dealer/knowledgeable party for service.
 
Years ago before I had my first OB I had a Honda Accord. On a trip up to Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side my transmission started to slip. I went into a Canadian Tire who said they could get me running to get home to Brooklyn for service. Turns out they put engine oil in the transmission so I had to get a new tranny. After going back and forth with them for a couple of weeks they finally reimbursed me the cost of parts, not labor. Wound up costing me enough that I started looking around for a new car. That's one reason I go to the dealer for everything now -this way there is a record.
 
Definitely have to watch what these guys do.
 
Mark

#118 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [snowbelter] by xwesx

Jun 27, 2007 (11:11 am)

Replying to: snowbelter (Jun 27, 2007 9:33 am)
It would be very difficult to pull the wrong plug by mistake. Anyone who has ever removed an oil plug would know exactly which one was for the engine oil. Sheer carelessness is the only explanation, in which case the party at fault should absolutely be held fully liable.
 
The fact that Subaru changed their differential plugs to a T70 Torx is a testament to their willingness to reduce the frequency of the problem... at the expense of mechanics and DIYs of course.

#119 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [xwesx] by paisan

Jun 27, 2007 (10:49 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 27, 2007 11:11 am)
Also, anyone who is at all concerned about their work, or works in the auto-repair/mod environment, would CLEARLY know the difference between fluids coming out:
 
Motor Oil: Blackish/brownish/distinct odor/distinct viscosity
Differential Oil: Clearish-redish/VERY RANCID SMELL/significantly thicker than motor oil
Automatic Trans Fluid: Redish-brown/different odor from Motor or diffy oil, thinner viscosity than both those.
 
As Wes said, plain and simple old fashion lazyiness/carelessness is to blame, and marking the plugs with an O, T, or D would not help that!
 
-mike

#120 of 140 Re: Time for a follow-up [paisan] by subearu

Jun 28, 2007 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jun 27, 2007 10:49 pm)
At least on my '04 F-XT, the engine undercover is clearly marked "ENGINE" where the oil filter and drain are. I bet your '05 LGT has similar markings on the undercover.
 
-Brian

Messages Page 12 of 14

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