2005 Legacy Transmission Failure

[cerberus]

My relatively new 2005 Legacy 2.5i had a catastrophic automatic
transmission failure three weeks ago, and I'm still bickering with a
dealer about the quality of the repair.

The torque converter bushing failed, taking the seal, allowing most of
the fluid to leak out. Without fluid, lots of damage occurred in a few
minutes.

It's covered by the warranty, and it took 13 days to do the job. But
the problem now is the smell.

The shop rebuilt the transmission, replacing high and low clutches, the
torque converter, seals, etc. But they didn't bother to remove the
transmission fluid; "under side of car covered" their report points
out.

After picking up the car and driving it a few miles, noxious odor of
burning transmission fluid filled the interior, causing my wife to feel
nauseated and headachy. She took the car back and insisted that they
clean the ATF from the undercarriage.

We are in stalemate presently. The shop insists that it's impossible to
remove the ATF, yet I talked to a detailer who said it's possible.

Do I have a leg to stand on? And do you have suggestions on how to
proceed?

Thanks.

 

[GrumpyOldGeek]

After picking up the car and driving it a few miles, noxious odor of
burning transmission fluid filled the interior, causing my wife to feel
nauseated and headachy. She took the car back and insisted that they
clean the ATF from the undercarriage.

We are in stalemate presently. The shop insists that it's impossible to
remove the ATF, yet I talked to a detailer who said it's possible.

Have it steam-cleaned at a detail shop.

Should make a huge difference.

 

[johninKY]

I would think either a high pressure washer or steam cleaner would do the
job.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Contact you Subaru district manager. Don't tell them how to do the
their job but, what the problem is:OBNOXIOUS OIL SMELL. I think
Subaru should have put in a NEW transmission and not rebuild your
failed one unless there is some additional information missing from
this email. Ed

 

[cerberus]

Thanks, folks. I'm considering getting a lawyer because Subaru insists
this is not covered by the warranty.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Thanks, folks. I'm considering getting a lawyer because Subaru insists
this is not covered by the warranty.

Ya gotta drive the car, right? Don't waste
your time and money on a lawyer at this point.

Take written and signed statements
from your wife and anyone else who's been in
the car and suffered with the smell. Get it
steam-cleaned. Write a claim letter letter to
Subaru demanding payment for the steam-cleaning.
State that if they do pay, they are released from
any further obligation concerning the smell with
this incident. State that if they don't pay,
you will take further legal action.

If they don't pay, you will have a compelling
case and evidence for small claims court.

*disclaimer*

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advise.

 

[l.lichtman]

Legally, they have to return to you a car that is in good condition.
If their claim that it is not possible to make your car "whole" is
correct, then it is totalled, and they owe you a replacement. Is that
the choice they want?

 

[cerberus]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and support.

I finally took the car and the smell is gone. The repair shop said they
cleaned as thouroughly as they could, and they drove the car at least
140 miles. Guess they tried to burn it off.

I agree you, Edward. Subaru should have replaced the transmission.
Their excuse? The model is too new for refurbished tranmission
availability. They refused when I asked for a new transmission.

Subaru was very stingy. I want people to know.

 

[cerberus]

Update. Subaru extened my drive train warranty to 7 years/100K miles to
make it right. I took it.

 

[R. Gerard]

Subaru was very stingy. I want people to know.

I am a first-time owner of a Subaru, a 2005 OBW LL Bean. Just bought
it this week.

I _think_ I can recall Consumer Reports (I looked in back issues, but
could not find it) putting Subaru dealers very close to, if not at, the
bottom of their list for customer satisfaction. (Top of the list was
Lexus).

Does anyone recall this? Do Subaru dealers have a very poor
reputation?

Thanks,
Gunny

 

[Dr. Rastis Fafoofnik]

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and support.

I finally took the car and the smell is gone. The repair shop said they
cleaned as thouroughly as they could, and they drove the car at least
140 miles. Guess they tried to burn it off.

I agree you, Edward. Subaru should have replaced the transmission.
Their excuse? The model is too new for refurbished tranmission
availability. They refused when I asked for a new transmission.

Subaru was very stingy. I want people to know.

This is just the **BEGINNING** of your Subaru owner experiance
It gets better and better, maybe a blown headgasket before 20,000 miles.
Read the comments in here, these cars are JUNK

 

[Hal Whelply]

This is just the **BEGINNING** of your Subaru owner experiance
It gets better and better, maybe a blown headgasket before 20,000 miles.
Read the comments in here, these cars are JUNK

Huh?? My '04 Forester XT has had zero (zilch, none, nada) problems in 22
months, and almost 30K miles. "Junk"??!? Oh, please, get serious. Those of
us who congregate here (well, most of us) aren't that stupid.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Hay Rastis: I have 92,300 trouble free miles on my 2000 Forester . Why
don't you just stuff it. ed

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Ya know, it seems to me a person who was intent on 'helping'(in his own
mind) people avoid Subaru ownership would choose a forum OTHER than one
aimed specifically at folks who own Subarus!

he should have his 'doctorate' revoked!

Carl

 

[Edward Hayes]

I doubt very much that he has a recognized PHD or MD from any
accredited place. Probably typed it up on his computer. I think he is
in drag and so this is my last comment concerning this type of sick
individual. ed

 

[PK]

I have 1995 outback with 176,000 miles on it. No significant problem. O
yea - never took it to a garage for regular maintenance, did them myself.

 

[amanda992004]

I am a first-time owner of a Subaru, a 2005 OBW LL Bean. Just bought
it this week.

Me too. Last week Tuesday. Aske them to clean up but when I went to
pick up 2 days later, not only that the security upgrade and wheel lock
(which I was forced to buy - well the initial negotiation was on a
sedan (price given via email) which they wouldn't reduce the price but
when I was about to go buy from another dealer, they decided to sell me
wagon for thet price and I took it - and then found out that they had
not installed those yet were stil not installed) minor scratches all
over, etc. Ended up leaving the car and picked it up yesterday.

I _think_ I can recall Consumer Reports (I looked in back issues, but
could not find it) putting Subaru dealers very close to, if not at, the
bottom of their list for customer satisfaction. (Top of the list was
Lexus).

I am waiting for the survey to mark "unstaisfactory".