Known Faults

[Rob]

Can anyone tell me where to find the "official" references for known
faults and fixes that I can take to my Subaru dealer and say "fix
this".
I keep hearing people say "its a known fault", but where are these
acknowledged?

Thanks

 

[Harry Wilke]

These known faults are known as "Service Bulletins"
Most decent garages have software which lists these bulletins. You may want
to try a web search for "automotive service bulletins"

 

[Harry Wilke]

Try this: http://www.mycarstats.com/auto_tsbs/SUBARU_tsbs.asp

 

[Jim Stewart]

Can anyone tell me where to find the "official" references for known
faults and fixes that I can take to my Subaru dealer and say "fix
this".
I keep hearing people say "its a known fault", but where are these
acknowledged?

I don't think you understand how the automotive industry works

Here's what I've been able to figure out, and if anyone else
can correct/amplify, please do.

1. The only latent defect that the dealer absolutely has to fix is
a mandated recall defect. The only thing that comes to mind
was a Legacy issue with corrosion possibly causing broken springs.
There was also something about brakes and very cold weather.

2. The dealer has a list of service bulletins. The items covered
in these bulletins are usually recurring problems. The bulletins
serve as a troubleshooting guide and as a supplement to the
maintainace manual. Usually the dealer will not fix any of these
issues under warranty without a symptom and he will not fix them
free of charge outside of warranty. There is no way that you will
get the dealer to go through all the service bulletin items that
refer to your model car.

The service bulletin items are often referred to as known faults. The
fact is that Subaru, or any other car maker for that matter, is not
obligated to repair a latent defect during the warranty period. Not
until the defect manifests itself do they have to repair it. Likewise,
they have no obligation to repair a latent defect that manifests itself
outside the warranty period. IANAL. See a real one for legal advise.

Now dealers have been known to be somewhat flexable with this
policy. But to get them to show some flexability, you'd best
have a clear idea of how you've been wronged and what you want.
Being a good customer in past helps too.

 

[John]

Local Honda dealer in my area was kind enough to print a couple out for me
when I had the problems mentioned. Of course, the repair was up to me to do
but at least they printed out the issue and how it was to be resolved. Most
dealer parts depts. will do this if you specifically ask them about a
particular issue. I'd think you'd have to buy the guy or gal a beer or two
to get them to print out every issue for a certain model.