Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-juice
I've always had Subarus since 1981 and this noise is crazy. Can't keep car if this can't be fixed as I use it for distance travel. HELP!!
I've always had Subarus since 1981 and this noise is crazy. Can't keep car if this can't be fixed as I use it for distance travel. HELP!!
Craig
Craig
craig
Thanks
Alland
-Marty
Larry
I don't even notice it anymore. At first, it bothered me until I figured out that it was normal. I don't consider the noise loud enough to be an annoyance, and it ends up getting drowned out by either my radio or some wind noise from my roof bike rack.
I still would have bought my Outback knowing about the noise. It's much more quiet overall than my wife's Accord!
I bought the car in New Hampshire, but am now living in New York City. My wife took the car to a local Subaru service to have this addressed. After fiddling with the spoiler, they said this problem is a manufacturer defect and that there is nothing you can do about it! They even told me I would have to deal with the repainting myself. In the meantime, they made the problem worse with a minor adustment to the spoiler -- not the real problem. I am very irritated.
I was told that the Official SOA Presence on this forum (aka Patti) would be able to help me out. Patti, if you are out there, I can sure use your help.
At this point I cannot recommend buying one of the new Subarus given this production problem and the attitude of dealers with respect to addressing these matters. It's a shame, in that Subaru has completely revamped the Legacy model to compete on the higher end and have a big marketing campaign to push these cars. The marketing people may have their act together, but production, quality control, and the dealer servicers are blowing it.
Hopefully, Patti will be in touch with me. I will keep this forum (and other forums) posted of what happens from here.
In the meantime, you've been warned.
Ron
Dealers are notoriously bad for fixing "finesse" issues like this. You'd probably be better off studying it and finding the real issue yourself, then call the Subaru 1-800 number and start a case. You can ask to have Patti look at the file.
If the hatch is attached at any point using bolts (and I believe it is) there may be shims that can be adjusted.
Look all around the opening, study the gaps, and see if you can see what is out of whack.
Eric -- yes, the spoiler is now standard equipment.
Craig
'96 legacy L 2.2l auto, 100k miles. Been an incredibly reliable machine that has taken a ton of abuse.
I'm having an annoying issue with it now --
When i'm stopped at a stoplight, with the foot on the brake, the car has an annoying vibration -- bad enough so that stuff in the glovebox actually shakes.
Interestingly, if I slide the car into neutral, the vibration goes away.
Even more interestingly, it only happens when the A/C is on. When i turn the A/C off, the vibration becomes much less.
The vibration also goes away as soon as I give it some gas & start moving again.
Any idea what's going on here? Other than the annoying vibration, the car runs just as well as it did the day i drove it off the dealer's lot..
When you come to a stop with an automatic still in gear, the engine is mildly 'fighting' against a drag caused by the torqe converter. If you put it in neutral, you become drag free. It would be like letting in the clutch slightly with a std tranny - the drag bogs the engine, and everything shakes. With the A/C on, the engine controls raise the idle speed slightly to overcome the compressor drag, but this can make everything resonate even more if there is free play in the entire system. What you report is basically normal, but the vibration should be controlled so that you do not notice it as much.
Motor mounts play a roll in quelling this shake and its coupling to the body structure. A combo of elastic and metal parts, they are 'tuned' to the engine/drivetrain resonance to keep your fillngs from rattling. Assuming no other major mechanical issues, I suspect that you might have a bad mount - worn or broken - that is allowing greater motion and harshness.
Other remote possibilities - electronic error moving idle too high, pre-mature engagement of the torque converter lock, etc., but look at the mounts before going this route.
Steve
I would echo Craig in saying call the 800-subaru number as well. Out of curiousity which dealer did you go to in NY?
Mark
Patti
Patti
Ron: you're the first such report, so it sounds like an anomaly. Call 800-SUBARU3 and ask them to open up a case number.
Also, go to a dealer that has a good body shop - they'll be more likely to fix it. Avoid dealers that outsource body work.
chazmatic: drive it with the radio off, windows down. It should be smooth, quiet. Fortunately for you any problems tend to be rather obvious, noisy. Check the bottom of the engine block for oil stains (evidence of leaks). Also have your mechanic inspect it. Good luck.
-juice
I recently had my ('97 OBW) head gaskets changed (at $1700,,, ouch). The engine was over heating. Apparently, the radiator fluid was leaking out and going through the exhaust system. This happened for at least a week until the shop could get the car in to do the repairs. Everything is good... no over heating and runs pretty much the same as before... except...whenever I accelerate (and only when I'm going up a hill or speeding up on the highway) there is a high pitched whistle coming from near the rear of the car. As soon as the car shifts (it's an automatic)gears the squealing stops.. until I either go faster and the car changes gears again. The mechanic told me that fluid had gotten into the catalytic converter (i have no idea if that's how i spell it) and as it burned off it left a residue. He described the residue as if it were a clogged artery,, as the exhaust or whatever goes through the converters (yes, I am lucky enough to have two)it is causing that whistling noise. He told me to put premium gas in it and go on a trip. I have put two full tanks of premium in the tank and drove nearly 600 mi. and the whistle is still there. Perhaps it is slightly better at lower speeds and lower engine output, but nonetheless it's still there. Anyone have any ideas? I realize replacing the converters is not something I want to do because the car isn't worth that much to me. I wanted to keep it another year, but not if i have to replace those.
Thanks for your input!!
Teri
-T
First thing, check the fuse block, either under the dash or under the hood - it may be as simple as that. Make sure the actuator or cable is actually attached to the throttle assembly. If it's a vacuum device, search for leaks. If it's a manual tranny, check to see that the 'cancel' switch on the clutch pedal is connected and adjusted properly. There may be a similar switch on the brake pedal as well, or it may be tied into the brake light switch.
HTH - no expert advice, but perhaps a good basic starting point.
Cheers!
Paul
-juice
DaveM
My 99 GT 2.5 auto has over 105k, and all I have done is brakes (all around at 80k), tires, and some nusiance warrantee work, transmission seal, power antenna, ignition coil along with normal maintence. I drive this car 90 miles a day, every day.
Given the age and mileage of your car, I don't think the repairs have been outrageous, and I don't think that anybody could predict what will need to be done next. Based on the experience of many owners 100k and nominal repairs are the norm for these cars. Rob M.
That started happening with our Mazda 626 after 5 years. By year 7 we'd spent $2500 and decided to sell it.
This time we got an extended warranty, 7/100.
-juice
The twilight zone! My '96 OBW 2.5 auto was green and my '03 base OBW auto is Sea Mist.
Is your '03 a base or limited? MT or Auto?
OK, when are you getting a new OBW and what color? :-) Thinking an '06 OB XT 5EAT in Red or an '06 base or limited OB 4EAT (but hoping for 5EAT) in Champagne. May wait to MY07 though.
DaveM
The next OB? LOL! I will be replacing my 99 GT LTD with an 05 GT LTD, so my guess would be a MY09 or 10. Wonder which shade of green will be in vogue that year?
-juice
Good Luck
Don
I have talked to other Subary owners who don't seem to have this problem but I have had it on three straight cars now.
I really like the 2005 Legacy and I have a great relationship with my local dealer but I may look elsewhere because of this issue.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dano
I have talked to other Subary owners who don't seem to have this problem but I have had it on three straight cars now.
I really like the 2005 Legacy and I have a great relationship with my local dealer but I may look elsewhere because of this issue.
Any help would be appreciated.
IIRC, about $500USD.
Cheers!
Paul