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subaru transmission problems

71 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2009 at 4:09 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Transmission, Wagon


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#36 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [openeyes] by wcwilliams
Oct 22, 2008 (8:12 pm)
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Replying to: openeyes (Oct 22, 2008 12:17 pm)

I did have my car fixed by Subaru dealer--it was transfer case/transmission. Cost was roughly 1,000, but Subaru agreed to pay 40% of that, so you might try and complain loudly that something like this should not have to be repaired at such low mileage. When I expressed my disappointment, one mechanic said, "hey, I've seen this happen at 35,000 miles."
 
So my question to anyone who really knows about Subaru AT design: do you know whether this problem has indeed be fixed in later models of Subaru??? Overall, I've been satisfied with my forester, but this has given me major pause about whether I will buy one again.
#37 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams] by ateixeira
Oct 23, 2008 (11:08 am)
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Replying to: wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:12 pm)

Generally speaking, the auto is pretty robust and is not one of the problems that is mentioned routinely (read: head gaskets, wheel bearings).
 
I think you just had some bad luck.
#38 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [ateixeira] by xwesx
Oct 23, 2008 (12:30 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 23, 2008 11:08 am)

Yeah, not sure either. In my experience, the automatic transmission is robust. I heard many issues about 1999 Outback transmission failures, but few before and after that year. I had a 1996 Outback with the 4EAT, and never a lick of problems with the transmission, even after 220,000 miles.
#39 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams] by openeyes
Oct 24, 2008 (7:20 am)
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Replying to: wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:12 pm)

I too have been satisfied with my Forester, but needing transmission or differential work at such low mileages also has me wondering if I should trust buying another one if Subaru considers this normal wear(?). The Subaru Dealer is replacing my deteriorated transmission with a remanufactured one. Subaru headquarters negotiated to covering 1/2; while truly appreciated, means my cost is over $1870.
How is it that a Forester properly maintained per their specs at one of their dealerships can need a automatic transmission replaced at 46,000 miles?
Is it really just several of us with "bad luck"?
#40 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [openeyes] by xwesx
Oct 24, 2008 (7:34 am)
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Replying to: openeyes (Oct 24, 2008 7:20 am)

Subaru vehicles have a 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty. Has it been more than five years since its in-service date?
 
The only typical reason I can think of for early transmission failure is prolonged towing. Even if the trailer is within manufacturer specifications, I have seen them fail. I had a friend who moved his Subaru (with a trailer that was about 1500#) from Maryland to Alaska, and his transmission failed a couple months after arriving here. Subaru replaced it, no questions asked. His vehicle was somewhere between 35 and 40 thousand miles, and was about three years old at that time.
#41 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [xwesx] by openeyes
Oct 24, 2008 (1:48 pm)
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Replying to: xwesx (Oct 24, 2008 7:34 am)

Purchase date was Oct 01 so that five year (aka end of warranty regardless of mileage) was Oct 06. For the record, never towed anything, never climbed anything, just standard basic driving on paved roads... but the transmission still reached the brink of failure.
#42 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [openeyes] by xwesx
Oct 24, 2008 (2:27 pm)
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Replying to: openeyes (Oct 24, 2008 1:48 pm)

Ah, okay, I had not caught the vehicle's year or age.
 
Well, heck, that is a tough one. Yes, the transmission probably failed from some crazy manufacturing-related malady but, as it is outside of the warranty period, the company has no obligation to the car any longer. It is good that they are willing to offer some assistance in the case, which is indicative that they feel they are possibly not blameless in the failure. I doubt anyone would ever see Nissan, Chrysler, or many other companies ever make a good faith gesture like that.
 
Wow. 46,000 miles and it is seven years old! Get out and drive that thing more!
 
Of course I am joking there, but I cannot imagine putting that few miles on a car. I recently purchased a 1998 vehicle and it only had 108,000 miles on it. I thought, "Wohoo! A baby!"
#43 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [xwesx] by aatherton
Oct 24, 2008 (3:23 pm)
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Replying to: xwesx (Oct 24, 2008 2:27 pm)

"... 46,000 miles and it is seven years old! Get out and drive that thing more! Of course I am joking there, but I cannot imagine putting that few miles on a car..."
 
My Forester will be a year old next month and has 7,100 miles. Easy if you don't commute to a school or job.
#44 of 71
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [aatherton] by paisan
Oct 27, 2008 (7:24 pm)
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Replying to: aatherton (Oct 24, 2008 3:23 pm)

I bought my 05 LGT in July 07 with 30k miles. I now have 70k on it.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host
#45 of 71
Opposite end of the Spectrum by anythngbutgm
Oct 31, 2008 (8:13 am)
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My wife's business partner bought one of the first Mercedes CLS500's back in 2004 and just sold it with 190,000 miles on it. Even crazier is that the first 120,000 came in the first two years of owning it! Then he bought a second car to keep the miles off the Benz.

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