Trouble/Warranty Denial Report Thread: Body/Exterior of Vehicle

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by Inflection

Subaru
B9 Tribeca
40,000 milepaint defect


In 2006 I purchased a new Subaru B9 Tribeca. At about 20,000 miles in, the paint started flaking off the front bumper and around the wheels. It's pretty dramatic. The dealer claims it's caused by rock chips, but it's very obvious that it is not (rock chips along all four wheel wells? come on), but 4 body shops as well as an expert from my insurance company have opined that it's definitely a paitn defect. Nonetheless, I am still getting no satisfication. There aren't many other Tribecas in my relatively small town, but occasionally I'll see one with the same odd flaking pattern.

I am hoping that if anyone else has this problem that they will let me know, because it might help my argument. Thanks!

Can I ask what color your Tribeca is?

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[WRX Bamboo Steamer]

Deleted

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by WRX Bamboo Steamer

Name:
Dean Naib

Make:
2002 WRX Wagon

Mileage:
50000

Time Out Of Use:

1/2 day

Problem And Likely Cause:

Broken hatch door stay mount because they were not tightened by the factory

Modifications:

Exhaust, piggy back computer

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No):

Submittted for recall

Reason Given For Denial:


Your Story:

Received the recall notice and decided to inspect my car. I found both stay mounts loose and one side that showed damage. Tightened both sides. On the side with damage it was obvious that the retaining nut in the hatch was loose. I called for an appointment for repairs at Subaru of Gwinnett, GA. They inspected the hatch and said that both sides were tight and that was all the recall would allow them to do. They also offered to replace the stays for $300+. I concerned since the nut is loose and the is already damage that it will eventually break. I called SOA who talked with the dealer. They said that they talked to the dealer to give me a better price for the stays. I don't need to #!@&# stays, just fix the mount. Attached is a pic of the damage.

After tightening the nut, was there any gap? If not, no further damage will occur and that is all that needs to be done according to the recall. According to your picture, it looks to be okay.

[WRX_936]

Originally Posted by magnum2066

Name: Ben

Make: 2007 WRX Sedan

Mileage: 22xx

Time Out Of Use: 0

Problem And Likely Cause: Defect in craftsmanship or due to the WRX's stiff chassis.

Modifications: SPT Intake and a Paranoid Fabrications grounding kit

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial:None

Your Story: Was one of those really hot days, dropping 25F overnight, then +30F the next day. Came out to a crack starting above the mirror on the driver's side and curving around the rear view mirror. Took 4 months due to Subaru changing their policy and not notifying the dealer (filed wrong 2 times), no one taking responsibility at Subaru by saying "it's not my job, you need to contact "X" instead." After calling Subaru 3 times and showing up every day after the first 1.5 months at the dealer I finally called Subaru giving a 15 minute explanation of the runaround I got and said I'll do anything short of paying for it myself to get fixed now and what I should do. 15 minutes later my warranty work was approved and the windshield was to be shipped the next day.


Name: Ben

Make: 2007 WRX Sedan

Mileage: 23xx

Time Out Of Use: 0

Problem And Likely Cause: Defect in wing

Modifications: SPT Intake and a Paranoid Fabrications grounding kit

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial:None

Your Story: Bolt broke loose from WRX wing from dealership over tightening the wing. Repaired under warranty.


Name: Ben

Make: 2007 WRX Sedan

Mileage: 9700

Time Out Of Use: 0

Problem And Likely Cause: Poor paint

Modifications: SPT Intake and a Paranoid Fabrications grounding kit

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Yes

Reason Given For Denial: WIP

Your Story: While washing the car I notice 3 spots on the roof that appear to be clear coat cracks. Why they are only on the roof and not anywhere else puzzles me. I only wash/dry/wax by hand, no pressure washing. There is also paint missing from the front driver's fender in a really weird spot where the bumper cover and fender meets. It would take a miracle for a rock to hit it and based on the sliver-like shape and pencil thickness in size for this to happen. I know the low chances I have for Subaru to take responsibility, but I'll give it a shot.

Good luck, I have paint problems as well, one spot on the hood that is a paint run under the clear coat, a bubble on the roof, and so many rock chips it isn't funny. I have already been denied warranty because I bought the car used, from a member on here, and they said since they do not know what he did to the car they cannot cover it; oh and mine is a black 06 with 29k. Looks like I will be repainting it as the warranty for the paint is about to run out in a few days.

[magnum2066]

Yea, the guy just didn't even care to file it. The Dbags don't ever listen to me when it comes to warranty work. Their ears perk up when I say the words, "I need to buy..." Other than that, I swear they are deaf.

[neomax]

Name: Devon

Make: 2006 Subaru Impreza Wagon

Mileage: 48,000

Time Out Of Use: 0

Problem And Likely Cause: Not sure on either case honestly...

Modifications: Lots but none that would be relevant

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Referred to Subaru Rep, haven't made an appointment yet

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story: Over the course of 5 months now, on the cars rear passenger door, the paint has been chipping off along the top edge of the handle itself. No where else on the car or any other door handles has this happened. Will any part of the 50,000 warranty cover this? Also, the rear subaru emblem has started cracking inside. I have never removed nor dismantled it, again would this be a warranty item or just to bad so sad?

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by neomax

Name: Devon

Make: 2006 Subaru Impreza Wagon

Mileage: 48,000

Time Out Of Use: 0

Problem And Likely Cause: Not sure on either case honestly...

Modifications: Lots but none that would be relevant

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): Referred to Subaru Rep, haven't made an appointment yet

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story: Over the course of 5 months now, on the cars rear passenger door, the paint has been chipping off along the top edge of the handle itself. No where else on the car or any other door handles has this happened. Will any part of the 50,000 warranty cover this? Also, the rear subaru emblem has started cracking inside. I have never removed nor dismantled it, again would this be a warranty item or just to bad so sad?

These repairs would only be covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

The 5 year (no mileage) paint warranty is for rust perforation, or rust from the inside out. The emblem would only be covered for 3/36.

You can discuss it with the rep/dealer, but it probably won't be covered.

[neomax]

Originally Posted by RexyGirl

These repairs would only be covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

The 5 year (no mileage) paint warranty is for rust perforation, or rust from the inside out. The emblem would only be covered for 3/36.

You can discuss it with the rep/dealer, but it probably won't be covered.

Ya thats pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the reply

[Igorokk]

Pretty good mix Id say, sorry I didnt post this sooner. I dont get on here much.The setlist was:Worship Your DemonsGraves Of The FathersWe BleedAbigorThe HeadsmenEmaciateSlit Your GutsCarrionshineAnoit The DeadCold Hate, Warm BloodPhobophile Encore

[MrBlue]

Subaru paint absolutely sucks... I owned a honda for 12 years and didn't have a single chip or rust bubble. Now my 06 wrx, which is only three years old for those of you that failed math, has rust bubbles all over the roof. And from what ive read here it seems that they wont even bother to fix the issue. Paint doesn't just bubble up and fall off after 3 years from normal wear and tear, they are screwing their customers and dont want to shell out the money to rectify the issue. I'm so pissed about this.

[roadtrip1098]

Hmmm it seems like the paint has been soft for several years and isn't getting any better. My 08 already has white spots forming in front of the rear wheels and I've seen several other 08's and 09's with the same issues. Subarus solution is to put clear plastic over the spots, which only seals the faded areas away. It sucks spending an hour waxing a car and still having it look like you got done driving on a dusty road.

[todeswalzer]

Originally Posted by Igorokk

Pretty good mix Id say, sorry I didnt post this sooner. I dont get on here much.The setlist was:Worship Your DemonsGraves Of The FathersWe BleedAbigorThe HeadsmenEmaciateSlit Your GutsCarrionshineAnoit The DeadCold Hate, Warm BloodPhobophile Encore

hahaha someone likes Cryptopsy!

[Jack T]

Hello:
First time here on the recommendation of an enthusiast. Do I have a lemon? Wish I could start a new thread, but am not allowed to do that until I have at least three responses, I guess--at least that's the message I get when I try to.

I have a 2006 naturally aspirated 2.5L Legacy Limited sedan that has had several continuing problems, one dealing with the automatic transmission, one with air conditioning and one with body squeaks and rattles. For this comment, I will only address the body squeaks and rattles. I will address the other two on other threads.

At 17K miles, the carpet under the throttle pedal wore out. The dealer agreed that it should not have worn out and replaced it. Apparently, it was an all-day job that required removing virtually everything from the interior. Since then, there have been squeaks from the rear while moving slowly over irregular surfaces, like backing out of the driveway or over speed bumps. I suspect that the parts that were reinstalled using all the quieting things that need to be done, or not torqued, or...... The dealer has worked on it several times, but now says they are "normal." This is hard for me to accept.

The car has also developed a wicked "rattle" from the left-hand side of the dash--but only while the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. Not sure if this may be related to the carpet replacement.

Anybody out there have something they could tell me bout these problems? Thanks for your advice.

Regards,
Jack

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by Jack T

Hello:
First time here on the recommendation of an enthusiast. Do I have a lemon? Wish I could start a new thread, but am not allowed to do that until I have at least three responses, I guess--at least that's the message I get when I try to.

I have a 2006 naturally aspirated 2.5L Legacy Limited sedan that has had several continuing problems, one dealing with the automatic transmission, one with air conditioning and one with body squeaks and rattles. For this comment, I will only address the body squeaks and rattles. I will address the other two on other threads.

At 17K miles, the carpet under the throttle pedal wore out. The dealer agreed that it should not have worn out and replaced it. Apparently, it was an all-day job that required removing virtually everything from the interior. Since then, there have been squeaks from the rear while moving slowly over irregular surfaces, like backing out of the driveway or over speed bumps. I suspect that the parts that were reinstalled using all the quieting things that need to be done, or not torqued, or...... The dealer has worked on it several times, but now says they are "normal." This is hard for me to accept.

The car has also developed a wicked "rattle" from the left-hand side of the dash--but only while the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. Not sure if this may be related to the carpet replacement.

Anybody out there have something they could tell me bout these problems? Thanks for your advice.

Regards,
Jack

Do you use floor mats? Are they carpet or all weather mats?

Are you sure that the rattle from the rear is coming from inside the vehicle? Could it be coming from the exhaust, heat shields, or something under the car? Can you hear it outside the vehicle?

Again, as mentioned in the other thread...have you ever replaced your cabin air filter? These filters can trap and hold large debris and when the air is on, this debris will rattle. (there is a thread on here somewhere with pictures that shows a cabin air filter after 15k miles...it's gross...)

[Jack T]

RexyGirl:
Again, thanks for your quick response. Remember, the dealer has spent hours trying to find these noises.

Floor Mats--Stock at all four corners.

Wicked Rattle, Low Frequency squeak--left front side of dash to the left of the gauge cluster. During rough road or even rough freeway. By the way, these are very loud even at 70 mph. And you know how noisy these cars are. The strangeness is that it happens only within the temperature range I mentioned. I think the cause is from pieces of plastic rubbing together. I have tried to push on the dash and other places while driving, but no luck confirming.

Body Squeaks (groans?)--Yes, they are coming from the rear, usually when the body twists.

Yes, I need to figure out how to replace the cabin filter.

Thanks again.
Jack

[profoak]

Subaru Impreza 2.5 sedan
Newport Blue
4100 miles

My paint is flaking on the hood, it came off when the car had around 2500 miles. Dealership wont fix it. Is there anything I can do?

[blackfang]

Have you called SOA?

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by profoak

Subaru Impreza 2.5 sedan
Newport Blue
4100 miles

My paint is flaking on the hood, it came off when the car had around 2500 miles. Dealership wont fix it. Is there anything I can do?

Is it flaking or chipping? How far to the metal does it go?

[jessyandjoseWRX]

hmmmmm.

[profoak]

I haven't called SOA yet, the Subaru dealer is part of a larger group of dealers and I am trying to deal with the main dealership.

It looks like someone could have taken a knife and cut out a circle. Its clear down to the metal, I do have real rock chips on my car, but this is rather big for a rock chip, and its so precise. There is no dent are any marking of a sharp edge, just no paint

I will get pictures tonight

[jfaz]

Hello All,
I bought my 06' Tribeca into the local dealer because it was rusting on the back truck door-trunk (under the window). When they checked with Subaru America on the warranty they were advised that it had been voided due to a bad hail storm in Indiana back in 2005. The dealer has declined to repair the rusting and Subaru America also do not want do anything on this. Apparently the dealer purchase the Tribeca at an auction where Subaru America had it sold. The dealer has a clear report from Carfax which they have given me. Now I am waiting on Subaru America to explain why this wasn't reported even though their system says they did.
Any thoughts on how to proceed?
Thanks
John



Hello:
First time here on the recommendation of an enthusiast. Do I have a lemon? Wish I could start a new thread, but am not allowed to do that until I have at least three responses, I guess--at least that's the message I get when I try to.

I have a 2006 naturally aspirated 2.5L Legacy Limited sedan that has had several continuing problems, one dealing with the automatic transmission, one with air conditioning and one with body squeaks and rattles. For this comment, I will only address the body squeaks and rattles. I will address the other two on other threads.

At 17K miles, the carpet under the throttle pedal wore out. The dealer agreed that it should not have worn out and replaced it. Apparently, it was an all-day job that required removing virtually everything from the interior. Since then, there have been squeaks from the rear while moving slowly over irregular surfaces, like backing out of the driveway or over speed bumps. I suspect that the parts that were reinstalled using all the quieting things that need to be done, or not torqued, or...... The dealer has worked on it several times, but now says they are "normal." This is hard for me to accept.

The car has also developed a wicked "rattle" from the left-hand side of the dash--but only while the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. Not sure if this may be related to the carpet replacement.

Anybody out there have something they could tell me bout these problems? Thanks for your advice.

Regards,
Jack[/quote]

[RexyGirl]

You can't rely on CarFax for many reasons.

For one, sometimes accidents or repairs take forever to show up. Second, if the accident was not reported to an insurance company, it will not show up on CarFax. If Subaru paid for the repairs, (maybe it happened in transport), then CarFax would not get the information.

If the warranty on the paint was voided due to a hail storm, that is something the dealer (assuming it was a Subaru dealer you bought it from) should have disclosed to you.

It is not uncommon for us to get cars in our shop that have partial warranty 'void'. Depending on what happened, will depend on what section of the warranty is no longer valid. It is up to us to disclose the warranty issues, if any, to the customer before they buy the vehicle.

There might have been minor damage because of the hail storm. Maybe they had to have a small section of the vehicle repainted, but, because of that, Subaru can void that section of the warranty.

[Musicalpa]

Name: Randy B. Buss

Make: Subaru Impreza Outback

Mileage: 20,125

Time Out Of Use: one week

Problem And Likely Cause: Severe paint chipping

Modifications: none

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): yes

Reason Given For Denial: paint issue cause by external influences (NOT!)

Your Story:
I was very happy Subaru recognized the paint on my Subaru is defective (not adhering to the primer). Jim Daugherty at Ertle Subaru inspected numerous chipped areas with a scope and determined clearly it was a paint issue not caused by rocks or other external influences. He told me he can only see one or two that might have been stone chips, but all these others are a paint issue. However, even though the same defective paint extended to other areas of the vehicle, the dealership authorized their body shop to only paint the hood and roof (where most of the chips were visible).
On several occasions I strongly requested a quality body shop I’m familiar with who does warranty work, guarantees their work for as long as I own the vehicle (life), and would take the same warranty payment, but the dealership (Jim Daugherty) firmly insisted it had to be an “authorized Subaru body shop” (their choice).
I dropped my car off at the dealership and when I got my car back from the dealership the roof coloring was noticeably off (even for an amateur eye like myself), was painted without removing the antenna, there's tape residue baked on the car and windshield, it's filthy with compound all over, several windows have large over sprays of paint on them, the edges of the hood and painted areas are rough and not smooth/shiny, they forgot to put a cover back on in front of the windshield (I found the cover under the drivers seat and put it back on myself), and there are new chips in other areas of the vehicle which were not on the car prior to the warranty work performed. This is very disturbing to me.
I am incredibly unpleased with the poor workmanship performed by the body shop the dealership insisted on using. I am even more unsatisfied the dealership did not authorize for all of the defective paint covering other areas of the vehicle to be dealt with, and is now chipping as well, and now my car has color variations, dimples, and paint runs.
I went and showed my car to Jim at the dealership on 11-21-9, and now he wants me to take my car back to their body shop choice again and point out to them my issues for them to correct. Why would I want to go back to where such poor quality work was done? I wanted to use my choice of body shop to begin with in order to avoid these issues I am now faced with. I only use the best of materials for the maintenance of my vehicle, and I resolutely request that “Autoworks By Tom Lutzi Inc at 893 Lower South Main St, Bangor, PA (610) 588-2571”***8206; be authorized to correct the poor workmanship done by Ertyle’s choice of bodyshop they insisted on using, as well as be authorized to correct the remaining defective paint that was not yet corrected. I also request that “Autoworks by Tom Lutzi Inc.” be the paint professionals to determine the extent of the defective paint. Though the body shop Ertle’s chose did question me and point out to me that Ertle’s only authorized for the hood and roof, and Ertle’s did not authorize for the doors, pillars, and other areas they felt were affected by the defective paint, I trusted Ertle’s to make the right determination. Unfortunately for me, they did not ask a body shop paint specialist to evaluate and correct the whole extent of the defective paint in order to thoroughly correct the entire defect, and now I have to deal with this again.
This is very stressful to deal with, and has now become a misuse of my personal time in order to resolve. I want to use my choice of quality body shop that will do it right the first time, I request that all defective paint be removed and I want the whole car painted to match (like new when I got it). At this point in time, although I do like the two tone my car has, I would even be satisfied to have “Autoworks by Tom Lutzi Inc.” correct all issues by painting the whole car the original silver without the two tone if it would make things easier, just to have this all finished and done with.
Please understand I am grateful Subaru is backing up their product, it’s just that it should be done thoroughly and right the first time. Furthermore, the vehicle owner should have the right to choose a body shop, especially if the vehicle owner’s choice body shop does warranty work and guarantees their work. I understand the body shop Ertle’s chose does guarantee their work, but I do not trust this body shop anymore with my vehicle and have a SERIOUS issue with the quality of work they perform and guarantee, and I do not want my car to go back to Ertle’s body shop choice. I prefer to know it’s done right and thoroughly the first time, and that the workmanship will not have immediate issues or issues pop up at a later date. “Autoworks by Tom Lutzi Inc.” done exceptionally high quality work I am familiar with from 8 years ago when I hit a deer, as well as more recent repairs to other vehicles I own. Please help me to resolve this issue with the original defective paint, as the poor workmanship done recently by Ertle’s choice of body shop.

Update:

Jim at the dealership informed Subaru of America it was stone chips and told them they had the hood and roof painted as a good will act, and Subaru of America is not viewing my paint issue as a warranty issue because it is due to external influences. I do not understand why Jim at the dealership would tell me it is clearly a paint issue, but tell Subaru of America it is from stone chips. A Subaru regional inspector (not sure what they call them) John Dale was suppose to inspect my car prior to authorizing the work, but the day I was scheduled to show him the car, I got to the dealership and they told me he was sick and couldn't make it, but that he was going to authorize the repairs anyway. Here again I'm puzzled because I have been informed by Subaru of America that John Dale reported it was not a paint warranty issue, but he never saw/inspected my car.
Furthermore, I have been told by Subaru of America they do not have authorized body shops, and they do not know why the dealership told me it had to be the dealers Subaru authorized body shop.
I am waiting to hear back from Subaru of America, but at this point in time I'm being told the dealership did this paint job as a good will service and not at a warranty service. I have to take it back to the dealers body shop for them to fix what they did poorly and the oversprays, and that it is not a warranty issue with the remaining defective paint that is still chipping.
This is very disturbing to me. Though I do understand it is expensive to repaint a car, a new car should not have issues like this, actually, no car should have an issue like this.
I've owned several vehicles in my almost 30 years of driving and have never had any issues at all with any of them.
I always wanted a Subaru, but unless this issue is corrected thoroughly, I can gaurantee this will be my last Subaru.

[RexyGirl]

One of the reasons, althought not a very good excuse, that they used 'their' body shop is because they have dealt with them before and have an account with them. Had you taken your vehicle to another body shop, you might have had to foot the bill and be reimbursed by Subaru (or the dealer) because body shops do not normally set up charge accounts with people they don't normally deal with. The body shop doing the work also has to agree to the amount the Subaru will pay them (which is usually pretty generous, but there are shops out there that price gouge) They might not have been willing to do that.

The issue with the paint has now become the problem of the body shop that has done the work and the dealer should be working with you on this. Whether or not the repair was done as goodwill or warranty really doesn't matter at this point. It needs to be fixed and done correctly. Another body shop will not fix anothers work without charging someone for it, whereas the original bodyshop should and will fix it for no charge.

This has now become an issue with the body shop and the dealer, not so much Subaru themselves. They took care of the paint, whether goodwill or not, and now it is out of their hands and in the hands of the body shop to properly repair. Subaru cannot warranty the work of a body shop. THat's why the do like to make sure that the body shop doing the work offers some kind of guarantee or warranty on their work.


The dealer should have had the vehicle sent to the body shop for a complete estimate of repairs, including 'blending' of the hood and doors, and the estimate would have been authorized by Subaru. Seeing that the car is really new, they should not have had to blend very much.

[darewolf]

Name: Brett

Make: 09 WRX

Mileage: just under 24000

Time Out Of Use: been a week and still going

Problem And Likely Cause: loud banging noise in the engine. dearler calling it critical engine failure. Research done is saying rod bearings

Modifications: none

Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): yes

Reason Given For Denial:

Your Story: so my story from Grande Prairie, Canada moving to edmoton at the end of the month and i was down there looking for an apartment when my car broke down. After having it towed to Subaru City (edmonton) they were fairly good and got the paperwork they set me up with a rental, after some haggling (haggling should not have been necessary as it is part of my subaru protection plan costing $700). I was told that they would at least listen to it by the end of the day but by the morning of the next day and no phone call. So I went down to see what was up with my car, no progress not even looked at so I left on my way. By mid afternoon still no call so i called them that is when I found out about engine. I was told 3 weeks to a month for a new engine. With that news the $270 my protection plan covers was not even close to paying for 3 weeks of a rental car. I decided to take the greyhound home and public transit to work. Started talking to Grande Prairie Subaru (where I bought the car) about some kind of transportation they passed me off to Subaru costumer service. 1 Week from dropping my car off i get a call from Subaru City my engine is in BUT the mechanic is recommending i replace the flywheel, pressure plate, release bearings, clutch disc. Asking what percentage is left the service guy had no idea. oh ya and they want $1100 for parts. told them to wait for a day for me to think what i wanted to do. I got them to send me a qoute with all the parts on it. They "forgot" to put part numbers on the quote. So Grande Prairie Subaru was nice enough to give me the part numbers and i proceeded to look online for the parts and found them for $600. So now i have no WRX, no vehicle of any sorts, $1100 bill, 500km away from my car and I'm being passed from one phone number to the next everyday trying to get subaru to get me a ride. After all this I'm a little mad about everything so I took a good look at my warranty and found that my flywheel is covered so i called Subaru City and told them. They said that that was good and they will check on it. 3 hours later Subaru City called back and said that the 3rd party warranty (Motors Insurance Corporation) would not cover the flywheel. when i asked the Subaru City representative if they gave a reason he said he never asked and that if i wanted to know i would have to call them myself. Early this morning i called customer service, i was told by the general manager of Grande Prairie Subaru that they would know about my situation and would arrange "something", but they knew nothing. after 20 minutes they finally figured out what was going so the guy i got told me that they would work on it and either them, Subaru City, or Grande Prairie Subaru would call me. it is now 9:45 pm and no phone call. so all and all right now i am sitting at no Wrx, no transport, $1100 bill, and absolutely no help from Subaru for my business.

This is my second Wrx (2002, 2009) and with the level of customer commitment i am getting I unfortunately will never buy another subaru