WARNING - Subaru doesn't honor warranties

[Daniel Caissie]

SUBARU DOESN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY
-----------------------------------------------------

Even though my 2002 Impreza WRX was still under warranty. Lee's Hyundai
Subaru denied my warranty on a transmission because I installed an exhaust
which they had told me it wouldn't void my powertrain when I asked them if I
could install one.

Also, I had only asked them to check if it would go on warranty but they
decided they would do the work without my authorization anyways and in the
end they told me it would cost 3200$.

When I picked up my WRX two weeks later, they had broken my windshield on
top of that and they refuse to pay. They say it was caused by the trailer I
put it on. It wasn't cracked when I left it there.

 

[Gee.william]

SUBARU DOESN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY
-----------------------------------------------------

Even though my 2002 Impreza WRX was still under warranty. Lee's Hyundai
Subaru denied my warranty on a transmission because I installed an
exhaust which they had told me it wouldn't void my powertrain when I
asked them if I could install one.

Your mistake. You didn't get that in writing

Also, I had only asked them to check if it would go on warranty but they
decided they would do the work without my authorization anyways and in
the end they told me it would cost 3200$.

If you did not sign a repair estimate then you are not legally responsible
to pay.

When I picked up my WRX two weeks later, they had broken my windshield on
top of that and they refuse to pay. They say it was caused by the
trailer I put it on. It wasn't cracked when I left it there.

Small claims court.

 

[mulder]

SUBARU DOESN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY
-----------------------------------------------------

Even though my 2002 Impreza WRX was still under warranty. Lee's Hyundai
Subaru denied my warranty on a transmission because I installed an exhaust
which they had told me it wouldn't void my powertrain when I asked them if I
could install one.

Also, I had only asked them to check if it would go on warranty but they
decided they would do the work without my authorization anyways and in the
end they told me it would cost 3200$.

When I picked up my WRX two weeks later, they had broken my windshield on
top of that and they refuse to pay. They say it was caused by the trailer I
put it on. It wasn't cracked when I left it there.

What was the nature of the transmission failure? If it was stripped
gears Subaru will automatically consider it abuse and deny the claim.
That doesn't excuse them proceeding with the repair without your
authorization though.
There is a good supply of used WRX transmissions around, so you could
pick one up for well under $1000 and have it installed by a local
shop. Check the classified section on www.nasioc.com

 

[SuperPoo]

Also try contacting Subaru of America. My son had trouble with a STI tranie
and was getting flak from the dealer until he got SOA involved.

 

[Dan]

thanks I will try that

Also try contacting Subaru of America. My son had trouble with a STI tranie
and was getting flak from the dealer until he got SOA involved.

 

[Dan]

Your mistake. You didn't get that in writing

Yup I know, never tought they would stab me in the back after... learned my
lesson there.

If you did not sign a repair estimate then you are not legally responsible
to pay.

They say I agreed over the phone... my word against the mechanics word

Small claims court.

might just do that

 

[Dan]

What was the nature of the transmission failure? If it was stripped
gears Subaru will automatically consider it abuse and deny the claim.
That doesn't excuse them proceeding with the repair without your
authorization though.
There is a good supply of used WRX transmissions around, so you could
pick one up for well under $1000 and have it installed by a local
shop. Check the classified section on www.nasioc.com

Yup it was stripped gears and they said abuse at first but then changed to
"because of the exhaust"

I had found low mileage tranny for around 1800$ and I could of installed it
myself but I had to pay them to get my car back... the work was already
done. I was planning on rebuilding it with better gears, clutch, pressure
plate and flywheel which I could of done for around 2000$.

thanks for the link

 

[Dan]

Will SOA do anything for Canada? It says on their website:

Subaru of America, Inc. does not include Canada, but Subaru Canada, Inc. can
be visited at www.subaru.ca.

Subaru Canada won't help. I will try calling them as soon as they open.

 

[Ralph E Lindberg]

Will SOA do anything for Canada? It says on their website:

Subaru of America, Inc. does not include Canada, but Subaru Canada, Inc. can
be visited at www.subaru.ca.

Subaru Canada won't help. I will try calling them as soon as they open.

How do you know, if you haven't called them (http://subaru.ca/)

I did talk at a Subaru rep I know, he laughed, apparently stripped
gears are common among those that buy the WRX, but not among those that
don't
Sound like a pattern to you (and not caused by Subaru)

Good luck, my guess is you will end up paying for the Trany

--

 

[Dan]

How do you know, if you haven't called them (http://subaru.ca/)

I did talk at a Subaru rep I know, he laughed, apparently stripped
gears are common among those that buy the WRX, but not among those that
don't
Sound like a pattern to you (and not caused by Subaru)

Good luck, my guess is you will end up paying for the Trany

I have just called SOA and they don't even listen for customers in Canada
which I understand. I have also talked to different reps at Subaru Canada
and that didn't do any good.

I understand that it would be common on a WRX. Why would anyone buy a WRX
if you want a car for sunday driving? The tranny obviously can't take it, I
wasn't that hard on my car. Yes I did try to see what it could do when I
first got it but I never power shifted or missed gears on downshifts.

I am pretty sure I am going to end up paying for the tranny myself but at
least I will put up a fight. My beef is more with the service I received at
Subaru. I have also applied to go on various consumer protection TV shows
to tell my story. I will try my best to give them bad publicity. At least
I will be able to get a little satisfaction when they lose hundreds of
futrue customers.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I think the first thing I would do is contact the Subaru
representative and politely explain what happened. That gives the rep
something to work with. At present it is all hearsay i.e. they said
and I said etc. Subaru's rep may decide to have you pay some
percentage and if you agree then the issue is done. If Subaru's
response is NO NOTHING then consider small claims court but, realize
you could lose on hearsay. One thing in your favor is you did not sign
a realise to have the vehicle fixed. Good luck and be sure to let us
know what transpires. Ed

 

[Dan]

I have applied for the CAMVAP program which is a third party negotiator for
claims between dealerships and consumers. I hope this can at least give me
a rebate. I am trying to avoid going to small claims court but if I have
too I will. It's probably going to be months before I get this thing
resolved. If I can remember to check for newsgroups I will let you know the
outcome.

thanks for the reply
Dan

 

[B A R R Y]

might just do that

Canada might be different, but you should be aware that most small
claims courts in the US have no collection power.

You might spend a day off from work and "win", only to never see a dime.

 

[Dan]

Canada might be different, but you should be aware that most small
claims courts in the US have no collection power.

You might spend a day off from work and "win", only to never see a dime.

well that really stinks, I am not sure if it's the same in Canada

 

[Adam Helberg]

well that really stinks, I am not sure if it's the same in Canada

I have some experience with small claims court years ago in Alberta, Canada. While
the court itself does not collect for you, when you win against a business you can
wreak havoc on them if they don't pay with seizures and putting a lien on their
property. Plus they have to pay all your expenses.

Adam

 

[Dan]

I have some experience with small claims court years ago in Alberta, Canada. While
the court itself does not collect for you, when you win against a business you can
wreak havoc on them if they don't pay with seizures and putting a lien on their
property. Plus they have to pay all your expenses.

Adam

but if I lose, I'll probably have to pay their expenses. It's a risk taking
them to court, might ending up costing me even more

 

[B A R R Y]

but if I lose, I'll probably have to pay their expenses. It's a risk taking
them to court, might ending up costing me even more

At least it sounds like you Canadians can get real satisfaction if
you've got a good case!

 

[Adam Helberg]

but if I lose, I'll probably have to pay their expenses. It's a risk taking
them to court, might ending up costing me even more

Of course you only go to court if you have a clear case and are convinced you are
going to win.

Adam

 

[bigjim]

Park car in front of ealer with signsstating what happened. On a public
street they cant do anything bout it.

 

[B A R R Y]

Park car in front of ealer with signsstating what happened. On a public
street they cant do anything bout it.

They can if the sign isn't properly worded.