Your warranty cannot be voided

[pc4400]

I've been contemplating if I should post or not post this, but let's see what you guys think...

07 WRX TR

Here's the whole story;

Did research on the car before buying. The dealer told me "The WRX TR is the "tuner ready" version. And over here we got intakes, downpipe, rims and stuff for you to tune" I said great and bought the car, and loved it!
I really had no intention of tuning but...

Second week of ownership I turned a corner and ran over a large rock that kicked up under the car and bent the stock down pipe causing it to leak.

I took the car to the dealer, he showed me the stock (big money) and a Cobb catted DP which looked beefy as hell (not like to one that was easily damaged by a rock) and it was a better price. So I paid them (so I bought it from the dealer and had them (the dealer) install it.

After about 30 miles of driving the check engine light came on. At the time I didn't know the Cobb DP would throw a cell nor did the dealer warn me.
So back I went, now I bought the Cobb APII. Flashed the car to stage II and the car was 1000% better/smoother. No more terrible idling.

Now about 10 months later, the tranny goes out, no racing or anything like that. Im pushing 40, so I'm not trying to prove anything on city streets or freeways. So I have the Subaru warranty tow people tow to the dealer. The dealer calls me and tells me that I was "flat-foot shifting" and I laughed. Who in their right mind would flat-foot shift. I told him he was wrong and to check again. They stuck to their guns though, never mentioning warranty just their opinion that the car was abused. They then told me that SOA would not pay but they would pay for half bringing my tab to about 1,300.00 yikes. I told them that I'm very concerned about paying 1,300.00 for something that broke for no reason. I told them that I would be communicating with SOA on this situation. They told me not to pissed off SOA or SOA would "not be nice in the future". Hmmm, so I didn't contact SOA.

6 months later, car makes a noise. I take it to the dealer. He calls later and says...
"It's the tranny and we won't warranty anything". I said what? I call SOA and got some rude lady that said she'll look into it and call me back. She never called back.

I'd like to say, I always wanted a subie, always loved the car. Simply put, I believe this car was a lemon from the beginning. I'm guessing it was built at the wrong time on the wrong day. Many here love to say that they have the 5 speed and have had no problems, but not the case with this particular car.

So what do you guys think?

[Chris Allen]

I travel frequently in Canada and occasionally in Mexico. The warranty language on my 2010 Legacy states that:
"Any and all repairs must be performed by an authorized Subaru Dealer in the United States."

This stuck me as absurd given the volume of traffic between the NAFTA Triplets and Subaru's presence in all three countries, so I emailed SOA and received the following:

<<<<<<

Dear Chris:

Thank you for contacting Subaru of America, Inc. and for your inquiry.

Subaru of America, Inc. has reciprocal warranty agreements with both Mexico and Canada.

Below you will find the information regarding the warranty agreement for 2008 model year and newer Subarus with regard to repairs performed in Canada.

As the Subaru Limited Warranty specifically states, "Any and all repairs must be performed by an authorized Subaru Dealer in the United States." Therefore, If you purchase a Subaru in the U.S., you will then have two viable options for obtaining warranty repairs in Canada:

1. Return the car to the U.S. for all warranty repairs at an authorized Subaru dealer at no charge:

or,

2. Have the car repaired at an authorized Canadian Subaru dealer, pay for the repairs, then submit a copy of the Repair Order marked Paid for reimbursement to SOA through the CDS department at:

Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru Plaza
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034-6000
Attn: CDS Department

All repair orders must be complete with full VIN, mileage, customer information, diagnosis, repair procedure and Subaru part numbers used. We also request that repair orders be itemized line by line including labor charge breakdown and other fees. Proof of payment is requested (check number, credit card receipts).

For warranty repairs in Mexico, they are completed in the same fashion as those within the US and Subaru Mexico submits the claims to Subaru of America, Inc. on your behalf.

Thank you for this opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future assistance, please feel free to contact us again.

Best wishes,

Kerry Ann Miller
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Dealer Services

>>>>>>

A prompt and helpful reply - - but one that should be in the Warranty language delivered to the customer.

Cheers

[Deuce Cam]

Originally Posted by pc4400

I've been contemplating if I should post or not post this, but let's see what you guys think...

07 WRX TR

Here's the whole story;

Did research on the car before buying. The dealer told me "The WRX TR is the "tuner ready" version. And over here we got intakes, downpipe, rims and stuff for you to tune" I said great and bought the car, and loved it!
I really had no intention of tuning but...

Second week of ownership I turned a corner and ran over a large rock that kicked up under the car and bent the stock down pipe causing it to leak.

I took the car to the dealer, he showed me the stock (big money) and a Cobb catted DP which looked beefy as hell (not like to one that was easily damaged by a rock) and it was a better price. So I paid them (so I bought it from the dealer and had them (the dealer) install it.

After about 30 miles of driving the check engine light came on. At the time I didn't know the Cobb DP would throw a cell nor did the dealer warn me.
So back I went, now I bought the Cobb APII. Flashed the car to stage II and the car was 1000% better/smoother. No more terrible idling.

Now about 10 months later, the tranny goes out, no racing or anything like that. Im pushing 40, so I'm not trying to prove anything on city streets or freeways. So I have the Subaru warranty tow people tow to the dealer. The dealer calls me and tells me that I was "flat-foot shifting" and I laughed. Who in their right mind would flat-foot shift. I told him he was wrong and to check again. They stuck to their guns though, never mentioning warranty just their opinion that the car was abused. They then told me that SOA would not pay but they would pay for half bringing my tab to about 1,300.00 yikes. I told them that I'm very concerned about paying 1,300.00 for something that broke for no reason. I told them that I would be communicating with SOA on this situation. They told me not to pissed off SOA or SOA would "not be nice in the future". Hmmm, so I didn't contact SOA.

6 months later, car makes a noise. I take it to the dealer. He calls later and says...
"It's the tranny and we won't warranty anything". I said what? I call SOA and got some rude lady that said she'll look into it and call me back. She never called back.

I'd like to say, I always wanted a subie, always loved the car. Simply put, I believe this car was a lemon from the beginning. I'm guessing it was built at the wrong time on the wrong day. Many here love to say that they have the 5 speed and have had no problems, but not the case with this particular car.

So what do you guys think?

Well, it sounds like you got played by your Subaru dealership. The dealership doesn't want to you to contact SOA because SOA puts dealerships in-gear when needed (they don't like SOA breathing down their necks). The fact that they installed after market parts on your car (by their recommendation) could possibly contribute to why they don't want you to contact SOA.

You need to be more persistent with this if you expect results.

[pc4400]

Yep, I'll be contacting corporate again as well as the usually people, BBB, consumer affairs, etc this week. But the car is gone, I had to get rid of it. Unfortunately for Subaru they lost a good customer that won't be back.
The wifey would sooner let me buy a porsche than another subaru, I never would have guessed that I'd get treated like this from Subaru.

[pattylicous]

Originally Posted by pc4400

I never would have guessed that I'd get treated like this from Subaru.

Keep in mind that you were treated poorly by an individual dealership, not Subaru itself. I think that this dealership was looking out for their own best interest (not saying they were right to do so), not yours or SOA's.

[TFBHTMFSNE]

Originally Posted by Deuce Cam

Well, it sounds like you got played by your Subaru dealership. The dealership doesn't want to you to contact SOA because SOA puts dealerships in-gear when needed (they don't like SOA breathing down their necks). The fact that they installed after market parts on your car (by their recommendation) could possibly contribute to why they don't want you to contact SOA.

You need to be more persistent with this if you expect results.

Agreed. The TR version was nothing more than a "de-content" WRX, meaning it had black mirrors, no auto climate control, and a few less interior goodies. Engine, trans, suspension, and brakes were all the same across the model lineup. "Tuner Ready" meant many owners liked to customize the interiors. It did NOT mean Subaru would stand behind aftermarket modifications. Your dealer misrepresented the "Tuner Ready" badge and made money selling aftermarket parts and accessories while leading you to believe SOA would warranty them.
More than a few dealers do this. Most of them make enough money off the parts and installs to cover any resulting damage. In effect, they have an "in-house" warranty policy to cover repairs so SOA doesn't get involved.

[Panda Lover]

If the previous owner had modifications. Including suspension mods and this was logged on my car. Do you think they will deny my claim now that my strut is clunking? I have a aftermarket warranty, my car is completely stock now and was when I bought it.

[Kean]

....if there is proof/evidence, then yes. ....they would have a valid case to deny a related claim.

[vigil]

nice!!