Trouble/Warranty Denial Report Thread: Drivetrain (Engine, Tranny, Diff, Etc.)

[North Ursalia]

I had a discussion with Nick a few weeks back, and in an effort to consolidate the troubles people are having with their cars, which will in turn make the issues more apparent and/or harder to ignore (not to mention making this forum neater ) we decided to make sticky threads where people can report their troubles and/or denied warranty stories by problem area, much akin to my http://www.deniedmywarranty.org website, only with a much larger audience. SOA knows about I-Club.com and Deniedmywarranty.org, but the lack of coordination of trouble reports here on I-club (of course it's going to happen... a 'net forum is a stream-of-consciousness kind of thing) and the lack of the sheer number of them on the Deniedmywarranty.org site makes the actual impact far less than what it could be. We decided to utilize these stickied threads to organize and emphasize what is going wrong. I want to emphasize that these threads are not solely for Impreza WRX owners, nor just Impreza owners. We want to hear from everyone in these threads who is having issues. You can use these stickied threads to report warranty denials or simply to say that something's broken that you didn't submit for warranty repair. To keep these threads neat, there will be a standard format used, as found below (I will place an example reply below this post):



Name:

Make:

Mileage:

Time Out Of Use:

Problem And Likely Cause:

Modifications:

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No):

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story:



Replies deviating from this format will be deleted, no questions asked... sorry, but this has to remain neat and easy to read to be effective. In addition, please do not use this as a chance to bitch about a dealership or SOA- keep it professional and to-the-point, and this will help us all out in the long run .


Brian
http://www.northursalia.com
http://www.imprezamods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com
http://www.deniedmywarranty.org

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[North Ursalia]

Name: Ramana Lagemann

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: 100's of stage miles

Time Out Of Use: 1 week

Problem And Likely Cause: Broke right rear suspension hitting a rock

Modifications: Mods that could have contributed to the issue (ie: my turbo blew and I have aftermarket boost control). Please be honest- it helps nobody to say "it just happened."

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial: Fill in only if above was "yes" and you were denied warranty coverage

Your Story: I'm a driver for Rally Team USA... it goes without saying

[KnightWRXRider]

.....

[Bimmer]

Ben Marschke

2002 Impreza 2.5 TS

11,800 miles

Never actually out of use

Clutch shudder

No driveline modifications

Not submitted for warranty work (yet)

My story... clutch shudders just like everybody else's, about every cold start, trying to pull out of the garage and over the speed bumps to get out of my apartment complex... What a fly in the ointment.

[Wheels]

Name: Lee Kay

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: 3000,7000,11,000

Time Out Of Use: 3 days and 4 dealerships

Problem And Likely Cause: Rattle sound when engine braking down a slope (bad springs on clutch plate)

Modifications: Boost Gauge

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial: First denied for car mods, Later SOA advised me to look for another dealership. 4 later and 6 trips it finaly got repaired.

Your Story: SOA policy sucks. Never have I been allowed to speak to the rep but at least it was finaly fixed.

[newscooby]

Name: Michael Wong

Make: 2002 WRX wagon

Mileage: approximately 41,000

Time Out Of Use: never

Problem And Likely Cause: clutch shudder (sound familiar)

Modifications: driveline related, none. I do have aftermarket wheels and tires. Edit: I did put Redline Oil in the both the tranny and rear dif. I used 75W90NS for the tranny and 75W90 in the rear dif. I don't see why using Redline Oil would cause Subaru to deny my warrantee if this ever got fixed. We'll see...

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Not yet, I wanted to get my name in the list in case Subaru realizes they screwed up and decide to replace the clutches

Reason Given For Denial: None, yet

Your Story: Same as everyone else. My clutch shudders when I first start out. Once it's warm, it's fine. Doesn't matter if the weather is hot or cold. This only USED to do it when it was cold out. Now, it does it all the time. Hey Subaru, just admit it. You specced a less than ideal clutch. Replace it under warrantee and keep your customers. This is my first Subaru and maybe my last if this attitude keeps up.

edit: forgot I used Redline Oil

[MattSEG]

Name: Matthew Gassner

Make: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX (1st allocation)

Mileage: 1.12k (rear diff)
2.18k (tranny)
3.29k (centre diff)
4. also 14k and 27k Turbo oil line

Time Out Of Use: Approxamately 2.5 months total between causes 1-4

Problem And Likely Cause:
1.Rear diff- Car was doglegged, hit, in the rear wheel causing problems to ensue.
2. All teeth shaved from second gear, likely cause was a weak gear.
3. Center diff died, it had slipped (?) months before (march) while in New Orleans, diagnosed as clutch problem, but I still believe it to be the diff which is in the process of being replaced. No idea as to the cause, car is not powerslid(ed?) nor does it undergo any car dif abuse.
4. Oil squirting wildly out of area near turbo, diagnosed as crack in turbo oil line, both times. Could be lack of heat sheilding, as that was removed during up-pipe mod.

Modifications:
Up to 1... bpm up-pipe, mbc at 15psi, intake.
up to 2....above plus turbo back exhaust, changed mbc to blitz ebc, and vishnu UD pulley
up to 3 and current...addition of unichip as well as the Chalak synchro gearset.

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No):
All submitted,
1. Accepted
2. Denied
3. 1/2 accepted, made me pay for clutch labor (origional thought to be the cause of the issue), then accepted on replacement of diff.
4. Accepted

Reason Given For Denial:
Driver abuse.

Your Story:
Yes the car has been launched on the stock box, maybe 7 times realistically. Though it was 2nd not first that went. I never banged gears, and had one mis-shift about 5k miles before the tranny died. So I think that the 2k in parts, and 1k in labor was unjust, and I think it to be SOA's responsibility. That said, I've mostly learned to live with it, though I do think there is a serious problem with 2nd gear.

__________________________________________________ __________
Appended: At about 6 thousand miles my powersteering pump died, that was accepted in the warrenty, no problems. I'm quite sure that was my fault, I was waiting to turn for about 5 minutes with my steering cocked full to one side, I was not aware I needed to back it off a bit.
__________________________________________________ __________


apologies for being so long winded
-Matt

[NJ WRX 63]

Name: Nick Sciarrillo

Make: 2002 WRX (Baught March 2001)

Mileage: 16000

Time Out Of Use: 1 month

Problem And Likely Cause: (1) Window regulators broken. The cause of that was because I wanted some fresh air. They fixed it now the windows squeak all the time. (2) Seats lost lumbar support and ripped. The cause of that is because I drive the car. (3) stearing wheel cocked to the right when driving straight. They told me not to worry about it. Maybe thats why my tires are bald already. (4) POS clutch and trans., shutter, no reverse, deceleration and acceleration noise while clutch engaged, continuous "crunch" going into first at all speeds. (5) 2 signed contracts, 1 fired sales person, 7 dealers who cant fix any problems, president of distribution for the northeast doesnt like to return phone calls nor does service rep....and a partridge in a pear tree

Modifications: NONE

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Monday

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story: Enacting the Lemon Law

[TampaWRX]

Name: Erik Frechette

Make: MY02 WRX

Mileage: ~7100 miles

Time Out Of Use:

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch shudder, grind when shifting from third to fourth. Defective clutch and bad synchros

Modifications: None

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): No

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story: Had the car since November and have never launched it aggressively. Never been to the drag strip and never street raced. Running the factory short shifter. Will likely end up replacing with aftermarket parts, but would like Subaru to own up to a seemingly obvious problem in build quality.

[ruralmed]

Name: Ruralmed

Make: 2002 WRX, 5-speed

Mileage: 26,000

Time Out Of Use: So far 12 days, looks like 5 months

Problem And Likely Cause: Weak gears on input & main shaft for 1st/2nd gear.

Modifications: 18" Centerline RPM wheels, 225/40 FZ4 Proxes, King sport springs, Blitz Nurspec exhaust, Injen Race Division CAI, TurboXS bov, Morette headlights, Blitz body kit, Z-sports wing risers, STI short-shifter with titanium knob, factory boost guage, custom grill, limo-tint windows.

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes, 473.00 just to inspect for cause of failure.

Reason Given For Denial: Abuse, nonspecific.

Your Story: Transmission failure while accelerating in 1st gear. Car slipped out of 1st, and began making horrible grinding noises. I pressed in clutch and upshifted to 2nd and received more grinding noises. Coasted to stop and car became stuck in 2nd. Able to release from 2nd by rocking back, but 1st gear was destroyed. I drive the car like a sports car but am not abusive. I have had several other performance vehicles before including a Honda Accord, Pontiac TransAm, and Kawasaki Ninja. This is my first catastrophic drivetrain failure. I am very dissapointed with my WRX. I would sell it and go back to the big H, but I already have to much into the car. It's a shame Subaru gets the free advertising when I take my rex to shows, when it's aggresive exterior hides a glass jaw.

I would like to seek legal action against SOA, email me if you would too.

[Sandkicker]

#1 (of 2)

Name: Scott Taylor

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: 18k

Time Out Of Use: 1 day

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch slipping/going out - cause? me slipping clutch? crappy clutch?

Modifications: prodrive springs... very unrelated

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Your Story: clutch started slipping ~13-14k miles... wasn't quite sure until about 16k miles when i drove a friends fairly new WRX. Yeah i drive a little fast, but never race. Less than a handful of fast launches (no clutch drops), once or twice smelled the clutch. They covered it under warranty.

----------------
#2

Mileage: 38k

Time Out Of Use: none yet

Problem And Likely Cause: Need tranny overhaul - can't get into 1st gear unless completely stopped. I blame faulty parts. i don't drive like a complete idiot. Never have had any tranny problems before on any previous cars (civic, mirage)

Modifications: prodrive springs

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Your Story: Can't shift into 1st gear unless stopped. If i'm rolling at all it'll grind so i don't attempt. I never grind gears. Got the clutch adjusted at my 30k service, and started to notice some grinding into 1st occasionally soon thereafter. Took it in for an oil change today and told the dealer my problem. They said i'll need a tranny overhaul, but to take it to the dealer i purchased it from. We'll see what they say.

Edit/Update (10/16/02): Had it checked out by another dealer today, they said 1st & 2nd need to be replaced (I think just the synchros or sleeves(?)) They are ordering parts and I'm taking it in next Wed. for replacement. They said it would be covered under warranty. This makes me feel good... as long as a rebuild tranny isn't going to be crappier than the first one... we'll see.

[Suby]

NAME: Chris King

MAKE: 2002 Impreza WRX

MILEAGE (1): 15,000

TIME OUT OF USE: None Yet(wanted to state my case first)

PROBLEM&LIKELY CAUSE: Clutch Shudder (yet another one)

MODIFICATIONS: TIEN HA Coilovers

SUBMITED FOR WARRANTY WORK (YES/NO): NO

YOUR STORY: My clutch started to shutter not too long ago. After I start my car and let it warm up for a few minutes I get a constant shudder from the clutch for awhile. It used to be during warm up only now on occassion it happens to me while warm as well, yet not as often as initial start up driving. Being a huge car nut, my friends poke fun at me saying I can't drive when in fact they now that is not true. After putting up with it for awhile I noticed others have the same problem as well so now I don't feel like an outcast. I will be taking my car to Livermore Subaru to have it looked over and hopefully fixed, if not I will be contacting my purchasing location in Sacramento to complain and get this resolved. Like others out there we are only trying to get what we deserve and what is far as written in our warranty. we are all not conspiring to pull the wool over the companies eyes, we only want what is just and well deserved to due to a clutch not properly matched for our vehicles.

[downshift1]

Name: Dylan Petersen

Make: 2002 WRX Wagon

Mileage: 21,000

Time out of use: 1 week

Problem & Likely Cause: Trans locked up due to broken 2nd gear and 4th and 5th gear grind at speed (65mph)

Modifications: TurboXS Stealth back, Injen CAI, HKS BOV, Samco Inlet hose, Top Secret crank pulley, Exedy flywheel/ ACT Clutch (fixed clutch shudder!), Turbo XS TMIC

Submitted for warranty work: Yes

Reason for denial: Modification (clutch & flywheel)

My Story: About two months ago the shifter got stuck in neautral at a light, rolled the car bacwards and it was fine, a month after that I went to get on the highway and when I shifted into 4th it was grinding and when I shifted into 5th it did it again. Talked to a Subaru tech and said he thought he remembered a TSB for the nut backing off one of the shafts that caused this. Trans finally died, I was diriving at speed when it started to make a lot of noise, pulled over and at about 5 mph it locked all 4 wheels and slid to a stop.

Update: SOA offered to split the cost of the repair (I pay labor, they pay parts) as an act of generosity. They wanted 10 hours to pull the trans and split the case to inspect the internals (Warranty time is 8 hours for a R&R !) at $90 an hour.
I towed the car from the dealer to my shop and pulled the trans and split the case in about 1/2 an hour. 2nd gear is gone completely but no other damage noted. I have ordered a Phitzner gear set to replace the mis-engineered Subaru parts.

[JohnGalt00]

Name: Allen Rohner

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: At the time, about 12k

Time Out Of Use: none

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch shudder, difficult to shift into 1st from a stop.

Modifications: None. Stock everything.

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): No

Your Story: Dealer recommended not to do replacement. The dealer claimed they can only do a clutch replacement once under warranty, and the Subaru "fix" doesn't usually work, sometimes making it worse.

[subaruForLife]

Name: Shawn Makinson

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: 17k

Time Out Of Use: none

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch shudder, hesitation on acceleration ( until like 4500 rpm )( very annoying )

Modifications: Volk wheels, Prodrive muffler, K&N filter and AMSOil( engine only )

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): No

Your Story: I am considering submitting under warranty. This is my 2nd Subaru in 2 years and I'd like to get the STi if SOA handles things properly!

[DoubleD]

Name: Doug Darrell

Make: 2002 WRX Sedan

Mileage: 40k

Time Out Of Use: 3 days

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch shudder, starting around 11k, reported around 17k, reported again (different shop) at 30k.

Modifications: None, with possible exception of factory-supplied, dealer-installed short shifter.

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial: Either unable to replicate or (upon replication) not being inconsistent with behavior of Subaru clutches in general.

Your Story: Although I put plenty of mileage on this car, I drive it in a manner consistent with my three previous 5 speeds: as a daily driver. The clutch shudders just as most have already described, after a few hours of non-use. I haven't gone any further, because a) I have no stomach for leaving it overnight and incurring rental costs so that the dealer can tell me there is nothing wrong and b) it doesn't appear that there is anything that they can do about it right now. Incredible. Help me, Road & Track Kenobi, you are my only hope!!

[rupture]

Name: Mel Dommer

Make: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX

Mileage: 10k

Time Out Of Use: None

Problem And Likely Cause: Wierd noise when lettnig off the accelerator when in any gear. Sounds like a rattling noise. Not sure if it's "clutch shudder."

Modifications: HKS SSQV BOV, HKS Type-1 TT,

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): No

Reason Given For Denial: Haven't taken it in yet.

Your Story: Started hearing the noise after about 1,500 miles and it's continued ever since. The noise occurs when i let off the gas after accelerating. IE. in first i accelerate till about 3,500 rpms and let off the gas and push in the clutch. I get a rattle from the time i let off the gas and untill i shift and release the clutch. If i leave it in neurtal the rattle lasts for about 2 seconds. But if i'm in neutral and just rev the enginee up to any rpm and let off i don't get the rattle.

[tnbd]

Name : Tndb

Make : 2002 WRX wagon (manufactured 02/01)
Mileage : 48k
Time out of use : repair -1 day so far

Problem: 1) Occasionally grinds going into first and reverse - ongoing since 36k
2) decel rattle and clutch shudder

Modifications: 17" rims in summer- otherwise stock

Submitted for Warranty work : Yes

Summary of story : My wagon is one of the early one to the states. Since I had the clutch shudder issue the dealer's tech decided to replace the clutch to solve issue 2 and see if it helped issue 1. After replacement 2 is solved. 1 became worse to the extent that the dealer was finally able to reproduce the issue. The next attempt to fix issue 1 is to replace 1st, reverse, and some other bits.

-update 11/05/02 - did not work. Reverse still grinds on occasion and 5th now binds from neutral. Going back to dealer soon.

[blue-sun]

Name: David Alfonso

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX sedan

Milage: 23597

Time Out Of Use: 31 days in the shop.

Problem and Likey cause:
1st gear grinds. 3-4 and 4-5 shift occasionally grinds. Clutch shudder. Speakers blown.

Was told that the clutch and flywheel were almost completely gone. Synchro's gone. Speakers wil be replaced.


Modifications: BPM GT exhaust. Vishnu Uppipe, Forge BOV, HKS Type 0 TT, K & N drop in, Intake silencers removed, Grounding Mod, debageded

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial: found a "mod" friendly dealer in chicagoland that will cover it

Your Story:
Went to 1 drag race-had 4 runs. 1 autoxcross recently (all problems existing at this time) I suffer from a disease-lead foot. Call it spirited driving or enthusiastic driving. either way, a clutch/flywheel/synchro's should not go after 23XXX miles).

WRXemALL
david

[jetskizero]

Name: Jeff L.

Make: 2002 Impreza WRX

Mileage: 12,000

Time Out Of Use: None

Problem And Likely Cause: Clutch shudder

Modifications: Injen intake, Cat-back exhaust

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Not yet - concerned the dealer would just make it worse.

Reason Given For Denial: N/A

Your Story: Just wanted to chime in and say I've got the clutch shudder problem as well. Only happens when the car first warms up, doesn't seem to be dependant on the weather. Clutch is fine after 10 min of driving. No drag strip or autocrossing use, mainly highway commute miles.

I hope SOA will start a process to upgrade these clutches and/or do a recall!

[JonnySubaru]

Name:

[email protected]

Make:

2002 WRX Wagon (5 speed of course)

Mileage:

12,000 miles (problem started around 10k)

Time Out Of Use:

Only 2 days out of use while at dealership

Problem And Likely Cause:

Intermittent cold shudder and faint when warm,
some difficulty getting into 1st gear at stop

Modifications:

Unrelated- minor suspension work only (sway bars)

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No):

Yes

Reason Given For Denial:

Given somewhat of a deferral, rather that denial.

Your Story:

I was first told that it is a character trait of the vehicle. After complaining to SOA and to dealer, regional rep has supposedly approved my clutch be replaced when new parts are released (2003 parts design). I'm being told (nothing in writing) that this will be done in about a month.

I came very close to "bailing" on Subaru and going back to an Acura, but I've decided to wait and see if they follow through.

I will be much happier when it is done.

[rwroth]

Name: Bob Roth

Make: 2002 WRX Sedan

Milage: 8K

Time out of use: First time - 2 weeks, second time, unknown still

Problem & Likely Cause: TGV valve failures (CEL Codes 1090, 1092, 1094) - in 3 months ago and they supposedly replaced them. Back on again (same codes) today.

Modifications: Turbo XS muffler, Stromung DP (no cat - modified to split wastegate) and midpipe, Godspeed UP, Pulleys, catch can, water spray, coilovers and swaybars, new brakes and lines, colder plugs, UTEC

Submitted for warranty work: YES - covered first time, will submit again UPDATE: Denied coverage this time... claim that my 'catch can' install voids any warranty work.... lord.

My Story: Car has been having intermittent TGV problems since new. Throws code, then seems fine for a while. Eventually, throws code all the time and the TGV stays stuck closed (car runs like crap!). Has been 'fixed' once - dealer was actually very good about mods, etc. I think they must have only replaced some of the pieces and not pulled the whole intake manifold - we'll see what happens this time....

UPDATE: Won't cover this time... catch can causing problems ????? So, anyone know of a place to get a TGV free intake manifold and have directions for pulling this piece. These have been a problem since day one for me, and I really only did mods after I thought they'd been fixed....

[jbhebert]

Name: J.B. Hebert

Make: 2002 WRX Sedan

Mileage: 35,000

Time Out Of Use: Unknown (Pending Fix)

Problem And Likely Cause:

(1) Clutch Shudder - Likely bad clutch
(2) Grinding going into 1st when moving faster than 3-4 MPH - Likely bad synchro/synchro design

Modifications: MBC set at 15 PSI

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial:

(1) Accepted (new clutch disk)
(2) Denied - No problem found.

Your Story: I've had the clutch shudder for about 10-15k miles and decided to bring it in before the warranty ran out. I've also been experiencing problems with the first gear grinding on downshift when the vehicle is moving more than 3 or 4 MPH. I've started double clutching going into first, but this should not be required. I've owned at least a half dozen high-milage manual tranny cars that had first gear synchros that were 100 times better than this. The car is driven "enthusiasticly", but never dragged. The dealer said they would replace the clutch and ordered the parts. They said there was no problem with the tranny and that, "... Subaru does not recommend shifting into first gear when the vehicle is in motion." Has anyone else heard this? The last vehicle I couldn't shift into first when the vehicle was moving was my '78 F-250 with NO synchro on first gear. I will persue this after the clutch is replaced.

[turbarue]

Name: gary devan

Make: '02wrx wagon

Mileage: 15K

Time Out Of Use: none

Problem And Likely Cause: clutch shudder

Modifications: rear sway bar, brake pads & fluid

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): no

Reason Given For Denial:n/a

Your Story: clutch shudders (grotesquely) when cold

[k_thaosta]

Name: Kong Thao

Make: 02 WRX Silver Wagon

Mileage: between 11500 - now 14450

Time Out Of Use: TOTAL of 4 times out = 2.5 months

Problem And Likely Cause: 4 times CEL-misfire caused by injectors, possibly ECU or pistons but that was replaced by whole block; replaced spark plugs 3 times, CEL still come up now

Modifications: bought Turbo XS BOV and MBC but never used them

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): YES 4 times

Reason Given For Denial: 2nd time, thought to have been my fault for changing spark plugs to different heat rating; i never changed them, car was a demo car, must of been changed before me, was initially charged, fought and was later paid by SOA

Your Story: Everytime the CEL came on, it was either I was turning on an intersection on a hill or going up the hill. Of course you have to accelerate to get up there. Laws are laws so I'm turning this WRX in for a new one, at least here in Minnesota.