Has anyone actually had success getting Subaru to warranty their tranny issues? And secondly has almost everyones car been modded when they tried to warranty the tranny?

Last night my frist gear went out, I dont know if I have a bent shift fork or what because it wont even remotely pop into gear, there is just like a brick wall not letting me put the car into first gear. Also second gear was grinding at first too, but now it seems to let me pop into second gear.

My 05 WRX is BONE STOCK with 6,400 miles on it :furious:

hahahahahahahahaha nice job!

how did it break? (what were you doing at the time, or earlier)

driving through the snow we got last night... drifting through some parking lots..

I think if you go threw your gears in the snow with out going anywhere like just sitting there spinning the tires, your clutch and Trans can get F**ked up.
I sat there once and spin the tires 1, 2 gears and I smelt a lot of clutch :mad: so I don’t know if that had something to do with it.
good luck and if you have no mods I think you will be ok ;)

Yea I am pretty sure the snow had something to do with it, since we were playing around.

I cant drop the car off today since i need it for the weekend in Philly, yes I got to drive through philly in 2nd gear without a 1st gear.

I will update the thread on the progress of the warranty, once I bring the car in early next week. They said ripping apart the tranny is a 3 hour job, then they have to fax pics to Subaru, and then subaru grants the claim if they feel it wasnt because of abuse, but since I am stock with 6400 miles, they better Fing do something about it.

:rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

Can you elaborate on that? As in do you think I'm an idiot for playing in the snow, or do you think that the Subaru tranny sucks? :confused:

If your tranny is acting up, why continue to drive it and do more damage to it?

I have to be in Philly for a business trip this weekend, trust me I dont want to drive it at all. The subaru dealerships say they cant issue a loner/rental car untill they fax the pics to Subaru and they get back to them saying they will warranty it, I figured it would be a lot of BS.

My other option is a RWD 94' dakota, and we got hit with snow last night and will probably get hit again. I will have better luck in my WRX with a half ass tranny.

I'm not gonna speculate because I don't know if this is your first AWD car, first car, first manual, etc. What I will venture to say is there is nothing wrong with the transmission. I have a 2002 with 50K miles on it, driven spirited but taken care of, and I've had no issues with my tranny or clutch. Anytime a brand new car with 6K miles blows a transmission, someone's gonna raise an eyebrow. Not saying it's your fault, Subaru will determine that, but anytime I hear someone drop the "glass transmission" suggestion, it pisses me off. It's just not true. I've owned Subarus for years and had no problems with their trannies, and that was back when I had no respect for cars and drove them like I stole them. Good luck.

I'd like to hear how the shift fork could have bent ...

Have to say my car, with 8000 miles on it, works fine.

Oh dont worry I have had an 03 WRX which I also bought new, running Cobb Stage 2.5 and I have zero problems with the tranny, driveline, etc. Now this one, my 05, is completely stock and does this and I just find it odd that the 03 stood up to 100 more hp/more abuse and also I clocked 44k miles in one year on the 03.

THAT suxs i would not drive to philly though it will ruin your clutch and probably break other gears?!!?

Yeah pony up the money for a rental car for a couple days. Chances are if you there are metal fragments in there you are going to get stuck somewhere with a non-running car.

Yeah pony up the money for a rental car for a couple days. Chances are if you there are metal fragments in there you are going to get stuck somewhere with a non-running car.

Yea thats a good point that is very hard to overlook, damn. :mad:

Oh dont worry I have had an 03 WRX which I also bought new, running Cobb Stage 2.5 and I have zero problems with the tranny, driveline, etc. Now this one, my 05, is completely stock and does this and I just find it odd that the 03 stood up to 100 more hp/more abuse and also I clocked 44k miles in one year on the 03.
Well, that certainly shut people up! :lol:

I love how everytime someone has a gear failure there are 50 folks that want to lecture them about their poor driving habits.

That's because most of the time IT IS abuse or poor driving habits. This MAY be one of the rare incidents where a tranny failed and it wasn't due to negligence, misuse, or abuse. So many people get on here and Bit** about their trannies blowing up, and then one of the mods will post a quote from a previous thread of them bragging about their drag racing exploits. The WRX has been around for a while. They didn't get to be as popular as they are by having sh***y transmissions. :furious:

I took no offence to Acostafan's comment, as what he was getting at is the truth in some cases. However this is a case where my 05 is still stock and practically new and bam, first gear is just gone.

I am still a fan of Subaru's, unless they F me over on the warranty, I will be flipping.

By the way I drove the car about 6 miles to the post office today knowing if something happened I would have the means to get it back home, and the transmission was perfectly fine and the car ran perfectly smooth FROM 2nd - 5th gear, and reverse was fine as well.

I remember when I was into DSM's people never could get their car into first and everyone would suggest synchros? But arent synchros used to smooth out the shift while moving??

Sorry to hear about this- hopefully it will be covered. This is the first I hear of a stock wrx potentially having a tranny break. I know there are lots of people who claim it was stock only to be called out on it later :-). If it is stock and you didn't abuse it, then I will really be concerned if they don't cover it, since I will have to worry about SOA raping me in the same way if mine breaks in the future.

I swear the car is stock, ok ok, it has a boost gauge. Thats it. Like I said I probably wont do anything with this until monday or tuesday but I will update the thread as I get info. Hopefully everything turns out well, I dont feel like having Subaru tell me "sorry you beat your car." I have a feeling they will pin it on that already, so I am prepared to battle! haha

Good luck with this. I'm sure it will turn out okay since this is your second Suby. They should recognize your loyalty and take care of you. That being said, you might want to avoid driving in the snow for awhile. You're jinxed in it! First the broken endlink, the sideskirt damage and now the tranny - all snow related? Well, it's almost spring!

if you drive on it with metal in the gear oil and it damages the bearings etc. you will prob. be paying out of pocket. Park the car!! You have a good chance of getting it fixed under warranty, especially since it doesn't sound like you stripped a gear. If you get denied make sure you mention you this is not your first wrx also. Brand loyality!!

All good points on the brand loyalty, oh yea my parents just bought a 2005 Subaru Outback too, they better warranty this.

For the record, I hate winter.

aw winters not that bad, without winter you couldn't have this :D
http://home.gci.net/~maddog20/pictures/leggt.jpg

Dude you live in Alaska, thats crazy. How many months out of the year isnt it winter?

When you take it in, act dumb.....just like this thread.....lame.

I took no offence to Acostafan's comment, as what he was getting at is the truth in some cases. However this is a case where my 05 is still stock and practically new and bam, first gear is just gone.

I am still a fan of Subaru's, unless they F me over on the warranty, I will be flipping.

Well what have you been doing in the snow? I saw a post where you broke a sway bar end link (on your 05?) in the snow. I've driven probably 10,000 miles in all kinds of snow and in various Subies and never suffered either a broken end link or a damaged tranny.

Any clutch drops?

Glenn

On the latest Sport Compact Car magazine, some guy sent them a letter asking if they have tranny problems with their project wrx. The response was that they have not seen any problems with it including their project STI.

See the article on page 34 of the April 2005 issue. The title is "PROJECT WOES".

If they don't have problem with the tranny in Sport Compact Car then they aren't making any power.

And for the poor guy with the 1st gear problem in this thread. I hope that it's not a broken gear, becuase if it is then they will not warranty it. But I think that it sounds like a broken shift fork to me. If you had a broken 1st gear it would sound like the wheel of fortune everytime you had it in neutral. Take it from me. I broke 2 stock trannys and an STI RA gearset before going to my dogbox. I know what it sounds like. Haha, I used to get mad about it and argue with people like they are on here now. But then I realized that if people aren't breaking there stuff with stage whatever kits then the bottom line is they aren't making any power.

Clutch drops! I hope not. I can do Subenuts (AWD Dohnuts) in the snow just by letting the clutch out nice and easy and just getting the revs up, and thats in a stock (power wise) 2.5RS. If someone has been doing clutch drops in the snow I can see where these sorts of problems can come from.

If they don't have problem with the tranny in Sport Compact Car then they aren't making any power.

And for the poor guy with the 1st gear problem in this thread. I hope that it's not a broken gear, becuase if it is then they will not warranty it. But I think that it sounds like a broken shift fork to me. If you had a broken 1st gear it would sound like the wheel of fortune everytime you had it in neutral. Take it from me. I broke 2 stock trannys and an STI RA gearset before going to my dogbox. I know what it sounds like. Haha, I used to get mad about it and argue with people like they are on here now. But then I realized that if people aren't breaking there stuff with stage whatever kits then the bottom line is they aren't making any power.


I guess its all how you use that power. I am not trying to argue with you, but i have 280whp on a mustang dyno with my stage 4 kit. Who knows, maybe the dyno was having a really high reading day but the car deffinatly FEELS like its putting out a hell of alot more power than a stock wrx.

I think its how you use that power. Clutch drops, and agressive shifting will destroy a stock cars transmisison, you just need to give your car a little time, like half a second, inbetween shifts and not drive it like every day is a track day and i think you will be fine. I think that if you do this for more than just a hobby, ie. you are at the track/strip all the time and put your car up to more abuse, sooner or later you will blow your stock box. I have 30,000 miles total on my car, 12000 miles on my car since it was brought up to stage 4, and 6000 miles since i had Phil tune it and bring it up from 259hp with the base txs map up to where it is now. And i can honestly say that i have had ZERO transmission problems on my car. Considering that this was the car that i learned to drive a stick on and all the abuse that came just from that, i would have to say that thats something to be happy with.

I am not hiding any misconseptions that i am now currently putting a stronger load on my box, and it WILL die sooner than say a stock car driven the same way, but at the same time i think that the life of your box is directly affected by how you manipulate the clutch and how you down shift. I would rather have a clutch go out every 40k miles because i am too heavy on it than use the spare transmission that is holding down a square in my garage.

This is not directed at you as a personal attack, but if you have toasted 3 trannies, one of them a RA set, maybe you are doing something very agressive with your car. Or maybe you have just had a rash of bad luck.

Did you service it at 4k? my RS ran out of oil by 4,500 miles...and had other problems at 4,500 miles too, i needed to service it...

This last page of threads has been one guy being an ass (1wrxsw go back to the OT) about me letting people know my situation, and a bunch of others speculating.

The endlink broke when The car was pulled out of a snow bank at the end of my driveway and we latched onto the endlink to tow it because we were freezing and werent thinking, and it has nothing to do with the way I shift or drive.

For those who care I will let you know how I make out, but it seems like a shift fork to me. The car wont be drove untill it goes in next week.

Ahh, the endless "tranny-of-death" debate rears its head again. I'm not gonna bash your driving, although it is true that THE MAJORITY of tranny failures are driver-induced, unless your car happens to make ~300whp. At that level, you're on borowed time. Stock power levels or even a stage 2, and that trans will go for a while. My '02 is on 31k, no probs, and my buddy is about 55k HARD miles. No quirks. Knock on wood. :rolleyes:

This trans is, ahem, "bothered" when engaged under load. Sacrifice a clutch and save a trans.

Maybe you've got a defect, maybe your story leaves out a section, maybe maybe maybe.

It a good idea to let 'er sit until fixed.

Good luck, and I hope you're covered.

-Adam

I'm pretty sure it would be covered. I mean - if there is a defect, it usually makes itself known early in ownership, like your situation. It's the one's where there is high mileage and then a failure that (in my opinion) are suspect. If it's been driven hard for say 20K - then it breaks, the way it was driven would contribute. Because you are so low on mileage, I'm guessing it'll be no problem. Good luck.

I have never driven mine in the snow. My car has been modded since day 1 and the dealer knew that. I found you "catch more bees with honey" when it comes to working with auto dealers. Act humble and ask for their assistance. Don't argue and think before you speak.... never let your emotions control your thinking. I used this approach and had 2 trannies built under warranty.

...and a bunch of others speculating.

The endlink broke when The car was pulled out of a snow bank at the end of my driveway and we latched onto the endlink to tow it because we were freezing and werent thinking, and it has nothing to do with the way I shift or drive.


Actually, I asked a question which you didn't answer: any clutch drops?

Ahh, the endless "tranny-of-death" debate rears its head again. I'm not gonna bash your driving, although it is true that THE MAJORITY of tranny failures are driver-induced, unless your car happens to make ~300whp. At that level, you're on borowed time. Stock power levels or even a stage 2, and that trans will go for a while. My '02 is on 31k, no probs, and my buddy is about 55k HARD miles. No quirks. Knock on wood. :rolleyes:

This trans is, ahem, "bothered" when engaged under load. Sacrifice a clutch and save a trans.

Maybe you've got a defect, maybe your story leaves out a section, maybe maybe maybe.

It a good idea to let 'er sit until fixed.

Good luck, and I hope you're covered.

-Adam



Yup.....the only tranny problems I know of personally are all from abuse. A friend toasted 2nd gear from too many clutch dumps....then complained the SOA wouldn't warranty it. Oh well, he ended up destroying the car by hitting a telephone pole. Damn Subarus....why can't they overcome the laws of physics?

Seriously though...good luck with the warranty issue.

Actually, I asked a question which you didn't answer: any clutch drops?

If you mean launching it or just trying to slide it around by dumping the clutch, then no. I have slipped the cluch on occasion while i was out playing to get the car to move through the snow or whatever. But that would just burn the clutch if anything.

I have been using machines with clutches since I was 5 when I started riding motorcycles so I am just hard pressed to say that it could be that I cant drive stick or that I am "abusing the tranny". It just seems very odd that every single gear is completely smooth except first, like something just bent?? :confused:

Does anyone have any actual insight onto what the problem itself may be, I would be the most interested in hearing that.

Ok brought the car into Becker this morning, they called and said "No noticeable damage so we will have to go into the transmission" .. obviously. They qouted it as 5 hours, so I am hoping to hear from them by 7 or so tonight, I will update as I find out more.

UPDATE: Got a call from the Suby dealership, and here is what they had to say "Your transmission WILL BE WARRANTIED, we found a transmission failure where 1st gear was too tight on the cog."

So I am like hmmm thats good, but isnt cog another name for gear? The shaft must have expanded due to heat and fused the gear in place or something?

Ay any rate my rex will be done tomorrow and I am happy Subaru stepped up! :)

Hey that seems like really good news... go Subaru.

Yes, and I got them to change my oil too hah.

Glad to hear its a defect, and subsequently covered. Good news, eh? :)

Thats good, im picking up my 03 WRX with 38K and full catless exhaust today after getting a new first gear syncro and new flywheel and clutch. They didn't ask anyquestions and said it'd be warrantied right away. But i dont really see how power could have killed the first syncro anyways. They also said my clutch was way too stiff (had been that way since i got the car new) and that was causing some other issues they were susposed to have fixed. Im very glad it was all warrantied because ive never launched the car or taken it to the track although i will 100% say that i have and do drive the car hard, but not in an abuseing way.

Good to see Subaru fixing valid clames. I was worried they'd deny me, but the dealer ship was very good in dealing with my clame and being on my side.

Although over the phone they said they saw hotspots on my flywheel and im wondering if that could have been bad driving habits on my part or maybe from the clutch being too stiff issue. Anyone know what causes hotspots on a flywheel?

-not so sniper edit for some typos, but im sure there are still more-

Good for you man!

Thats good, im picking up my 03 WRX with 38K and full catless exhaust today after getting a new first gear syncro and new flywheel and clutch. They didn't ask anyquestions and said it'd be warrantied right away. But i dont really see how power could have killed the first syncro anyways. They also said my clutch was way too stiff (had been that way since i got the car new) and that was causing some other issues they were susposed to have fixed. Im very glad it was all warrantied because ive never launched the car or taken it to the track although i will 100% say that i have and do drive the car hard, but not in an abuseing way.

Good to see Subaru fixing valid clames. I was worried they'd deny me, but the dealer ship was very good in dealing with my clame and being on my side.

Although over the phone they said they saw hotspots on my flywheel and im wondering if that could have been bad driving habits on my part or maybe from the clutch being too stiff issue. Anyone know what causes hotspots on a flywheel?

-not so sniper edit for some typos, but im sure there are still more-


Great to hear your good news as well. Come to think of it, my clutch always has felt a bit more touchy then my 03 did.. hmm.. maybe because of the updates suspension feel though?

When you take it in, act dumb.....just like this thread.....lame.
lol you kock

-UPDATE-

Just picked up my car, here are/were the problems/causes/fixes...

Problem: Clutch way too stiff
Cause: Clutch Pressure Plate Too Stiff
Fix: New Fly Wheel, New Clutch Cover, New Clutch Disk, New Bolts Here and There

Problem: Grinds into first every time
Cause: Worn 1st Gear and 1st Gear Synchronizer
Fix: New 1st Gear, new 1st Gear Synchronizer, New 1st Gear Ring, Random gaskets bolts/nuts

Car feels 100% better than it did brand spanking new, i should have reported the clutch issue sooner but i hadn't gotte then chance to drive someone elses WRX until about 7 months ago.

I'm not gonna speculate because I don't know if this is your first AWD car, first car, first manual, etc. What I will venture to say is there is nothing wrong with the transmission. I have a 2002 with 50K miles on it, driven spirited but taken care of, and I've had no issues with my tranny or clutch. Anytime a brand new car with 6K miles blows a transmission, someone's gonna raise an eyebrow. Not saying it's your fault, Subaru will determine that, but anytime I hear someone drop the "glass transmission" suggestion, it pisses me off. It's just not true. I've owned Subarus for years and had no problems with their trannies, and that was back when I had no respect for cars and drove them like I stole them. Good luck.

Very well put I feel the same way. ;)

Blue-Rex sounds like it worked out.

So I am like hmmm thats good, but isnt cog another name for gear? The shaft must have expanded due to heat and fused the gear in place or something

Could also have been an IP shaft bearing gone bad.

Could also have been an IP shaft bearing gone bad.

Is this common, and/or a recurring problem? I didnt think to say anything but I hope they checked out the clutch while they were in there as well :rolleyes:

Sweet.. Subaru took good care of your Rex.

Is this common, and/or a recurring problem? I didnt think to say anything but I hope they checked out the clutch while they were in there as well :rolleyes:

I have not heard of it; but I just happened to have the same issue this weekend with a English Ford transmission I was rebuilding.

Ok here is what was on the invoice from Subaru:

"Found first and second gear sleeve would not move. Replaced first and second gear synchros, sleeve, lubed hub. Replaced rear bearing at pinion shaft due to abnormal scoring on bearing race. Reassembled and reinstalled. Road tested and rechecked"

So it looks like they replaced the synchros afterall..

Becker is good folks from my experience. I got my 05 STi from them at invoice, options at invoice, last June.

Congrats on getting it warranty repaired thats good stuff! I blew my rear diff clutchpacks, bearings, all nicely mashed, autocrossing and got it warranty repaired here in Ohio. Some good folks here also... It helps when the service manager autocrosses also LOL...

If they don't have problem with the tranny in Sport Compact Car then they aren't making any power.

And for the poor guy with the 1st gear problem in this thread. I hope that it's not a broken gear, becuase if it is then they will not warranty it. But I think that it sounds like a broken shift fork to me. If you had a broken 1st gear it would sound like the wheel of fortune everytime you had it in neutral. Take it from me. I broke 2 stock trannys and an STI RA gearset before going to my dogbox. I know what it sounds like. Haha, I used to get mad about it and argue with people like they are on here now. But then I realized that if people aren't breaking there stuff with stage whatever kits then the bottom line is they aren't making any power.

Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard... Stop dropping your clutch and slow your 1-2 shift. You should not be breaking gears like that...Open a physics book...you have AWD. I can't believe someone would claim that the HUNDREDS of WRX owners who can drive...aren't making any power because they're not on their 3rd gear set...there are 11 and 12 second cars on stock boxes with HIGH MILES. Poor driver justifying his thousands of wasted dollars