Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
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
They are putting a new tourque converter into mine....doubt that this will affect any of the rough shifts, though.
Seems that from all the complaints I see, that there is a design fault with this transmission.
I would be very surprised if removing the transmission cooler will improve the rough shift.....?
Good luck.
Have you noted any knocking from the front suspension? I have from day one. Also note that the steering stops cause a knock at full turn when turning full lock when doing slow maneuvers as with parking, etc.
:confuse:
Surprisingly the transmission now shifts very smoothly and the engine revs at a lower RPM during normal driving. I did not mention that my gas mileage has been terrible since the cooler was installed. The engine seemed to rev at 2500-3000 RPM at normal speed. It now is around 2000 RPM.
They are taking the car back again for more testing. I have had this problem since day one and now have 16,000 km on it.
Hope the problem is found.
:confuse:
I also described the feeling I got when I goosed it at a stop light. Most cars creep when you ease off the brake. The Tribeca wasn't doing this. Instead, it grabbed/slammed into first when I put down the pedal. That now seems to have gone away. I'll report back in a couple of weeks and let you know if this repair holds up.
This forum helped me describe my problem to the service guys. Nice job!
The problem remains.....may even be worse!!
At about 80 to 110 kph if accelerating or climbing a grade, the sensation is just like an engine misfire. A jerking sensation which I am told is due to the torque converter not locking up or the transmission not shifting down into fourth.
My car now has 20,000 km on it and it has had this problem since I bought it!!
Frequent visits to the dealer and a visit from the local Subaru representative, have not sorted it out, even for a short while.
Would I buy another Subaru. Not likely, although the local dealer has done everything they know how to do.
I have been reluctant to tow a small single axle trailer because of the matter. :lemon: :mad: :mad: :mad:
They claimed that there was goo on my brakes and that's why it jerked when took my foot off the brake, and at that point claimed to have only cleaned them and not touched the transmission.
Then they said the machine they needed to use was in need of a part.
Then the tech that knows how to use it was on vacation.
They wanted to me to take it home and worry about it at a later date.
Finally they told me that the transmission needed to be reprogrammed.
It was okay for a little while, but not long enough.
There is a constant drag, as though I left the parking brake partially on, my MPG drops to 12. It doesn't coast, even at an downward incline.
I asked them if any of these issues are common with the Tribeca, they said I'm the only one who has these issues. Obviously, this is not true. I've had the car in four times, and everytime they call me and make me come down to take one of the techs for a ride. I am sick of dealing with this. I wish I had bought another Outback.
Has anyone been successful with returning a Tribeca?
I know of no one who has returned a Subaru Tribeca.
I must post again on the Car Reviews section.
I will post here again when I know anything further. Good luck with your cause, and let us know how you do.
:mad:
While thankful that I have an extended warranty and have not experienced any direct expense, at 11K miles the dealer has had it longer than I have in the past 9 months it seems. I have always been a volkswagen owner but this past winter got tired of inneffective driving ability in the snow. So I bought this beautiful Tribeca. It has been nothing but a disappointment and while the dealer has been very nice to work with, it isn't fixing the issue.
Apparently, there are very real design flaws with this vehicle's transmission and Subaru will need to take steps to do the right thing by me and by all of you who are in the same fix. I am considering a :mad: lawsuit if I cannot get resolution to my satisfaction.
Keep us posted "mukilteome", as will I.
The new Outback has probably the same engine and five speed automatic transmission as the Tribeca.....I wonder if it will fair any better?
My dealer is about to take mine back and keep it "until it is fixed". We shall see how they do.
The CAMVP advocate group here in BC would go to bat for a buy back by Subaru.
Calculations but the buyback at about $33,000 CAN. I paid 40k for it new. :sick: :lemon:
Thankfully the replacement was covered under the extended warranty. Reading this forum I see there's been a couple issues with torque converters and/or transmissions. I'm feeling like this might be an isolated problem. I love my Beca, love that I have the three nostril grill, but I'm a little worried about it's future safety. I drive ~90mi RT for a commute and kids who go places. My 2000 Outback has 209K miles and has been a great car. I can't have a car that is a possible liability and could leave me on the freeway. Winters in Washington can be a wet mess.
Hoping for an "isolated incident" opinion.
Latest outback may have same engine and transmission as my 2008 Tribeca. It will be interesting to see how it fares.
My problem comes in 5th gear, or locked up of torque converter (top gear) and at about 2000rpm. They have had my car in for about one and a half weeks this time. It has been in for this problem MANY, MANY times thus far! Great dealership, but the problem has eluded them. Car has had its third Torque converter!
I have had a rumbling, especially when the car is cold, (even in summer) but I attributed that to the tires.
Keep us posted.
Cheers!
Had I my choice back, with all I have experienced, I would have selected another make for about the same money. I cannot comment on the new Outback, except that I beieive it likely has the same engine and transmission as the Tribeca. I do not know what its towing capacity is either if that is something you might intend to use it for. IF they can correct the problem for you, and I mean TRULY CORRECT it!! then I guess it would be a good car for you. (We have 30,000 km on ours, and although this problem has always been there, the car has otherwise been fault free!)
Interesting, we moved from Florida to BC, Canada, where we reside now on Vancouver Is.
Let me know how you make out......I guess if you have any doubts, getting them to take it back would be the safest way out.
Best of luck.
I still have the original transmission problem with mine. Have two emails and registered letter into Subaru Canada. No reply. I think they are ignoring me.
The dealer that I last took it to identified the symptom, but was unable to repair. Subaru advised the mechanic that is was not repairable,,,,but they seem disinterested in doing anything about it.
I am ready to take legal action, and make it very public.
:mad: :lemon:
One of our local dealers, who agreed there was a problem, kept the vehicle for about a month.
Was very thorough and contacted Subaru Canada repeatedly as they walked the technician through all the possibilities that might be causing the sensation of slippage in 5th gear (drive or sport mode) at about 2000rpm,, that is, highway speed.
Another torque converter was replaced, they found no improvement. Subaru made other suggestions, changing plugs, checking solenoids, replacing anti-knock sensors, etc.. The technician could not clear the problem. The dealer was advised by Subaru Canada that the problem could not be fixed.
After repeated Calls to Subaru Canada and a registered letter, I have heard nothing back.
I am not put off that easily. Keep posting your beefs! :lemon: :lemon: :mad:
me in a couple of days. Heard nothing and have called back every few days, with no contact made. They are ignoring me quite deliberately. Not even a phone response!
NOTHING!
SUBARU has lost me and any of my friends or acquaintances as customers.
Have not given up working on them, though. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
Sure enough, there it was in black and white. Subaru admits to a faulty Torque Converter and it was replaced 2 weeks ago. The wife is now happy as all of the sluggish shifting , shudder and vibration is gone ! THANK GOD we got the Extended Warrenty
Here is the first page of that Subaru Service Bulletin:
Subaru Service Bulletin Number: 16-74-09
Date: 03/18/09
Applicability: 2009 / 09 MY Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo, 5AT and 3.0L 5AT
2008 / 09 MY Tribeca 3.6L, 5AT
Subject: 5AT Torque Converter Shudder / Vibration
Introduction:
If you encounter a vehicle that has a shudder/vibration which could be felt in 3rd, 4th and
5th gear during slight acceleration, it may be caused by the transmission torque converter during lockup operation. A countermeasure was made to the final machining process of the sliding surface for the lock up clutch to provide stabilization and eliminate the shudder/ vibration.
COUNTERMEASURE IN PRODUCTION:
MODEL START OF PRODUCTION TRANSMISSION
( Starting # )
Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo Jan.9, 2009 316632
Legacy / Outback 3.0L Feb 5, 2009 316978
Tribeca 3.6L Feb. 18, 2009 317369
PARTS INFORMATION / TORQUE CONVERTER
MODEL PART NUMBER (NEW) PART NUMBER (OLD)
2008 / 09 Legacy / Outback 2.5L Turbo 31100AB122 31100AB121 / 120
2008 / 09 Legacy / Outback 3.0L 31100AB132 31100AB131 / 130
2008 / 09 Tribeca 3.6L 31100AB142 31100AB141 / 140
I hope this information will help others !
My problem is only present in 5th gear whether in sport (manual) mode or automatic mode.
I have had 2 torque converters replaced with absolutely no improvement.
I am present still fighting with Subaru over the issue 2 1/2 years after buying my car new. The problem was there at my 1000km scheduled visit.
Most recently they have installed two separate monitors in the vehicle and I am still waiting for their final report.
Subaru customer support service has mentioned replacing the vehicle, but I am still waiting. They do not respond to my calls.
Draw your own conclusions. :confuse:
Subaru is prepared to take a hit on the Tribeca which has been a dismal failure when compared to their other vehicles. It is evident they will not spend any money or time to resolve issue with the Tribeca.
Sorry I cannot be more positive. Good luck.
I have since tried a cleaner added to the gas, but that doesn't seem to help either, same problems exist. I did notice that the last two times when it has gone down to 1/4 tank, the engine light goes off, and the car runs better.
Any ideas as to what is wrong with the car? This is very frustrating.
Thanks.
I almost think it is a problem with the knock sensor.
Interesting thing is, the last oil change showed some sediment in the old oil. Wondering if that is related.
If those things check out fine, and since you have already gone through the fuel system, I would consider replacing the knock sensor and see what happens. I had a knock sensor issue with my 1996 Outback, and it never registered in the computer. Yet, once replaced, it cleared up a whole array of issues (some serious, some just annoying). It was definitely the best money I ever spent on that car.
It may need an ignition coil instead.
My last ignition coil was $80, my last distrubitor cap+rotor kit was only a fraction of that cost.
Will let you know what they find. Hopefully warranty items.
Thanks for all of the advice!
But i will say that trying to find replacement wipers is a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] and the dealer likes to see u show up so they can smile with dollar signs when they see u coming threw the door ,(not so fun....)