I'm Here Because of Subaru's Buy Back Warranty

[FishWild]

Hello,

I purchased a new 2015 Outback Limited 2.5 (EyeSight, etc.). I also purchased the Gold Warranty which is a Buy Back Warranty. Have you heard of the Buy Back Warranty. Basically, it extends the duration of the factory warranty and if it was not used at the time of expiration the buyer is refunded 100% of the cost. Sounds pretty good.

To receive the refund, you must complete a long list of items and submit them to the program manager. If you did it right, you should receive a check for the full amount paid.

But nope. I received a letter indicating that the company who Subaru works with to issue the refunds committed a crime. The letter went on to say "do not call us...".

I contacted my Subaru Dealer and got hold of sales who told me the buy back program is actively being sold. Eventually I got hold of the finance manager, who sold the warranty to me; who told me that the program is not being sold. I indicated what sales told me, and voila, the FM said well it is being sold but managed by a different company. I explained the letter to the FM who in turn told me the letter I received just came to their attention by another buyer. The FM went on to say that there's nothing they can do for me.

I did a little research and discovered that there are many Subaru buyers who also have not received a refund, going back several years.

So I'd like to know if anyone here has any experience, good or bad with the Buy Back warranty program that I'm talking about.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[WavMixer]

I just purchased a 2022 OB with the Gold Extended Warranty. I was told that this is through Subaru, not a 3rd party company. however it did not include or mention a buy back policy.

 

[FishWild]

The documentation provided to me at the time of the sale included a document titled "Vehicle Service Contract Buy Back Agreement". It is part of the Gold Extended warranty that I purchased. The program is managed by a 3rd party. And my understanding is the coverage is from yet a different party altogether. Bottom line; there are multiple companies involved and each is pointing at the other. If in the future, I am presented with a buy back program, I would absolutely decline it.

 

[PeteNuclear]

Sounds like a breach of contract & a class action lawsuit…

 

[FishWild]

Sounds like a breach of contract & a class action lawsuit…

That's the direction I'm moving in. There are at least three organizations involved in the Warranty Buy-Back program. Each of them is pointing at the other.

 

[Glenn Smith]

I have a 2018 Outback 3.6R. See photo on left. Extended warranties. Where to start? Don't fall for warranty companies products. 1. Restrictions on Mechanics and Shops. 2. Tricky interpretation of warranty terms and language. 3. Excessive deductibles.

In 2018 I bought the 75K mile extended warranty through Byers Subaru in Columbus, Ohio. I had occasion to use it 3 times. I read in Consumers Reports that with the problems all mfgrs. were having with auto electronics - a single claim would make it the best "accessory" you could buy.

If you can get the 100K mile warranty for $1,500 - sounds fair. Just remember that Finance Managers are "Super Customer Understanding Managers" (Acronym = SCUM).

Best approach is to conduct all pricing with the Salesman and the Manager he reports to. By the time my Wife and I were invited into the Finance Manager's office there was nothing for him to do. I had to look at him and tell him that if he continued to argue and try to upsell us that the Salesman and the Sales Manager would be very disappointed. He asked why? I told him I was ready to get up and leave. His door was about 5' behind us. We made it 3' beyond the door when he came after us and apologized.

The Sales Manager wanted to know if there was a problem. He was interested in our story. Moral: nail down EVERY charge. The manufacturer's warranty is backed by Subaru. They don't mess around.

Finally, one $3,000 screen replacement paid for the warranty. The replacement battery in the sixth year was the cherry on top. Long after you have paid the loan off, you will still have a warranty backed by a reputable company.

At the time Subaru was selling a guaranteed buyback that was good for 4 years. My Outback is eight years old with less than 80K miles. I have no intention of ever selling it. It has survived offroad trips in the Alpine Loop of Colorado. Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Ophir Pass, Schaefer Trail. 7K mile trip. No problems. AWD is fantastic. CVT is great. Pike's Peak was a piece of cake. San Juan mountains in Utah and Colorado - paved roads crossing the mountains. No problems with loss of engine power at 12,000 to 14,000 feet.

My only regret is Subaru has abandoned the 6 cyl. in favor of a 4 cyl turbo. Low speeds - turbo is useless.

Sorry to have exceeded the boundaries of the discussion. I am old and ....?

 

[bmart]

Why would you want HP for maneuvering at low speeds? I love my turbos...all of them.

I may have missed your question.

 

[flagchrisman]

great good to know.