2010 Forester - Transmission Shifting + Body Squeaks and Rattles

[Wiess]

I have a 2010 Forester with an automatic transmission. The vehicle
has been good for the first 60,000 km. Lately I am noticing that the
transmission seems to be sluggish when I am just moving along in slow
traffic. It almost seems as if it is not changing gear properly and I
can feel a vibration in the vehicle. When the transmission downshifts
all is fine. The dealer has changed the fluid once, about 4,000 km
ago.

I also notice a number of annoying squeaks and rattles. The worst
seems to be coming from the area of the glove box. This noise goes
away when the interior warms up but it is very annoying until then. I
also have another squeak in the headliner near the rear hatch. This
only occurs when the road is somewhat rough - potholes, curbs, etc.
The dealer attempted to repair about 20,000 km ago and it is coming
back again.

Anyone else have these kinds of trouble?

 

[AD]

I have a 2010 Forester with an automatic transmission.  The vehicle
has been good for the first 60,000 km.  Lately I am noticing that the
transmission seems to be sluggish when I am just moving along in slow
traffic.  It almost seems as if it is not changing gear properly and I
can feel a vibration in the vehicle.  When the transmission downshifts
all is fine.  The dealer has changed the fluid once, about 4,000 km
ago.

I also notice a number of annoying squeaks and rattles.  The worst
seems to be coming from the area of the glove box.  This noise goes
away when the interior warms up but it is very annoying until then.  I
also have another squeak in the headliner near the rear hatch.  This
only occurs when the road is somewhat rough - potholes, curbs, etc.
The dealer attempted to repair about 20,000 km ago and it is coming
back again.

Anyone else have these kinds of trouble?

All the people who don't bother changing the automatic transaxle fluid
I suppose
though runing slushbox in a year or two is an accomplishment.

Squeaks and rattles are normal for a subaru. You have just discovered
why some
people pay a premium for the big 3 in germany.

 

[Wiess]

All scheduled maintenance has been performed at the dealer. The last
time it was in for service they were notified of the problem. They
had received a service bulletin about this vehicle which required a
transmission flush. This did not improve the problem.

I also have a 2005 Honda CRV which we have driven 240,000 km. We had
a road trip this past weekend and took the CRV on a 1600 km journey.
Not a squeak or a problem, more comfortable on the highway as well.
The five speed automatic is great! I think I know what manufacturer I
will purchase from in the future. We had four previous Hondas and
decided to try the Subaru.

 

[AD]

All scheduled maintenance has been performed at the dealer.  The last
time it was in for service they were notified of the problem.  They
had received a service bulletin about this vehicle which required a
transmission flush.  This did not improve the problem.

A $100 question is: were you physically present when the transmission
pan
was removed and the gasked was (hopefully) changed and transmission
was refilled with the new transmission fluid?

 

[Wiess]

A $100 question is: were you physically present when the transmission
pan
was removed and the gasked was (hopefully) changed and transmission
was refilled with the new transmission fluid?

No need to answer that one, hopefully it will be during the next
service appointment.

Which manufacturers do you consider the 'big three'.

 

[AS]

It seem Wiess is not familiar with Subarus.

1st. The rattles are not normal, and no, no problems here so far.
2nd. No need to remove the oil pan when changing the oil in this subaru
tranny. It has an external replaceable oil filter.

Yes, some people go and buy cars from the big 3 in germany... but wonder
why!! They are close to the bottom of the reliability lists... Mercedes
with electrical problems, BMW with the the complex controls and poor
radio reception, overall poor reliability and Audi and VW with their
engines burning oil prematurely? They look good, drive awesome and...
oh yes... the name.

As for the symptoms... have you checked the tire air pressure? Because
of the awd, a low tire could cause vibrations.

What kind of driving do you do?

 

[AD]

No need to answer that one, hopefully it will be during the next
service appointment.

Which manufacturers do you consider the 'big three'.

bmw-Audi-mercedes

 

[AD]

It seem Wiess is not familiar with Subarus.

1st.  The rattles are not normal, and no, no problems here so far.
2nd.  No need to remove the oil pan when changing the oil in this subaru
tranny.  It has an external replaceable oil filter.

Yes, some people go and buy cars from the big 3 in germany... but wonder
why!! They are close to the bottom of the reliability lists...  Mercedes
with electrical problems, BMW with the the complex controls and poor
radio reception, overall poor reliability and Audi and VW with their
engines burning oil prematurely?  They look good, drive awesome and...

they do not rattle.

 

[Wiess]

It seem Wiess is not familiar with Subarus.

1st.  The rattles are not normal, and no, no problems here so far.
2nd.  No need to remove the oil pan when changing the oil in this subaru
tranny.  It has an external replaceable oil filter.

Yes, some people go and buy cars from the big 3 in germany... but wonder
why!! They are close to the bottom of the reliability lists...  Mercedes
with electrical problems, BMW with the the complex controls and poor
radio reception, overall poor reliability and Audi and VW with their
engines burning oil prematurely?  They look good, drive awesome and...
oh yes... the name.

As for the symptoms... have you checked the tire air pressure?  Because
of the awd, a low tire could cause vibrations.

What kind of driving do you do?

As stated, this is my first Subaru and so far it has convinced me to
go back to Honda. The rattles, squeaks, noisy brakes, and now the
transmission - all in the first 60,000 km!! I have no idea if the
transmission pan needs to be removed, I rely on the dealers to have
that knowledge.

I do a mix of highway and city - maybe a 40/60 split. I check the air
pressure regularly and that is fine. The problem occurred with my
winter tires as well as summer tires so I can rule out tires.

 

[AS]

Were the winter tires put to rotate in the wrong direction? Even tires
that are not directional, once they have been used, they should rotate
in the same direction afterwards.

I made a mistake, I meant to say AD does not know subarus, brain fart
typed Wiess.

 

[AD]

Were the winter tires put to rotate in the wrong direction?  Even tires
that are not directional, once they have been used, they should rotate
in the same direction afterwards.
Why?

I made a mistake, I meant to say AD does not know subarus, brain fart
typed Wiess.

Partially correct. I had two but none with an automatic and no
forresters.
apparently there is indeed no need to remove the transmission pan

I do not know if transmission flush will fix Weiss' problem,
but transmission servicing seems like the cheapest way to start
as it has to be done anyway