Update on 2007 Impreza stop for no reason

[blank]

Well, those of you who said I would have difficulty getting this
intermittent problem fixed were spot on. It went to the dealer today and
they found nothing. The checked out the ECU but it didn't show any codes.
I believe they are honest but still that doesn't change the fact that I am
now the unhappy owner of an 18 month old car that is unreliable--a lemon.

They have elevated the problem to Subaru Australia main office. We will see
what they say in a day or two. But I have a very bad feeling. My concern
is if it happens to just stop when my wife is driving on the busy freeway,
she is likely to become another fatality on NSW roads.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Well, those of you who said I would have difficulty getting this
intermittent problem fixed were spot on.  It went to the dealer today and
they found nothing.  The checked out the ECU but it didn't show any codes.
I believe they are honest but still that doesn't change the fact that I am
now the unhappy owner of an 18 month old car that is unreliable--a lemon.

They have elevated the problem to Subaru Australia main office.  We will see
what they say in a day or two.  But I have a very bad feeling.  My concern
is if it happens to just stop when my wife is driving on the busy freeway,
she is likely to become another fatality on NSW roads.

Just an odd thought, does your wife have an excessively heavy keychain
or other items hanging from the key when she drives? I've read of some
cars having issues with that putting too much force on the ignition
switch.

Perhaps they will have some type of piggyback monitor they could
install that would record when the issue happens.

anyway, I hope they get you sorted.

Carl

 

[S]

Hi Again!

They have elevated the problem to Subaru Australia main office. We will see
what they say in a day or two. But I have a very bad feeling.

Yea, that would get me upset, too.

Don't despair, this is _not_ normal for Subarus, but it can happen in
any vehicle. My neighbor got a killer deal on a newer Jeep Cherokee a
few years ago, that had the same problem you describe. The original
owner waltzed around with the dealership until the warranty expired,
and then practically gave it away in frustration. It took Dave and I
most of a 6-pack to find the intermittent (at the firewall connector),
and then a pretty good struggle (had to pull the steering column) to
get the connector out where we could see it and get the bad pin back
into place.

But now his wife drives it every day.

I don't know how these things are handled Down Under, but here is what
I'd do if in a similar situation in the US of A.

Drive it a lot close to home. When it stalls again, do not attempt to
restart. Leave it sitting right in the middle of the road and call a
tow truck; have it towed directly to the dealership. In this part of
the world, Subaru is obliged to foot the bill for the tow, _and_ for
providing a loaner until they resolve the problem. I'd imagine your
warranty has similar provisions. You don't want it back until they
have done _something_ to address the problem (and running an OBD scan
isn't it). Be polite, but don't settle for less, and document
everything. You might even want to send a certified letter to Subaru
Australia outlining your problem, and efforts toward having it
resolved. And, as much as it gags me to have to say this, consult an
attorney; perhaps have him send the above letter.

Soobies seem to be very popular in AUS, and I can't imagine they'll
appreciate the negative publicity. I'll bet that after a couple
iterations of the above scenario, they develop a sense of urgency
toward finding some resolution

And please do keep us posted.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101