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Comments
Steve
You, Your Vehicle and the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)
Steve, Host
Thanks for the link!
Jim
I think Hyundai is on to something. Much like us having the resources of Patti here. While having informed customers can sometimes create new challenges (some will ask for things they might not really be entitled to), quickly resolved problems will ultimately lead to higher customer satisfaction.
I can accept that sometimes something breaks. Diagnose it quickly, fix it promptly & properly, and I will go on my merry way. Having some help from a TSB, or a forum like this, helps to that end. It is the elusive issue that takes 3-5 trips to the dealership to resolve that severely hurts brand loyalty.
Steve
Thanks!
Patti
Asked a few questions and got some useful answers from a helpful tech at the tire store (a local store with better prices than the chains, and only slightly higher than Internet).
Was told that the 4-tire scheme is due to the steel wheel on the spare, so that if I buy a 5th alloy wheel and a matching tire I'd be able to do the 5-tire scheme. Is that info accurate? Don't know for sure I'd buy the 5th alloy anyway, but it would still be good to know.
When I asked why the outside edge of the right front tire was severely worn the tech answered with a question: "Do you make a lot of U-Turns?" I had to laugh, because I do. I guess the five-tire scheme would help slightly with that issue if the spare stayed on the right-side rotation.
Been following the recent discussion here and saw reference to the "nabisco crowd." What's that? Looks look another Subaru forum or organization, but it wasn't quite clear.
Finally, thank you Patti for all the info and direct help you've provided to Subaru owners in this forum!
Greg
"nabisco" is the nickname of another forum that we are not allowed to actually say what it is because of Edmunds' rules. Actual initials are nasi something or other club.
-Dennis
Thanks again
Mike K
Jim
Juice / Bob - Didn't notice if you discovered whether the new model has a full size spare or not?
-Frank P.
Bob
Jim
Of course ours is a 15" rims, 205/60R15, the new tires are wider and taller, the GT getting 17" rims. We'll have to wait and see if a swap would be possible.
-juice
I am sure If Bit reads this he will confirm what I have written.
Cheers Pat.
Not to be nit-picky but that should read "circumference" vs "diameter".
-Frank P.
The winter steel rim/tire that I use for a spare in the summer fits better and the floor lies level with it in place.
The package tray doesn't fit with either one.
Steve, Host
We don't know about '05 Outbacks. They use a 225/55x17 tire, at least on H-6 models.
BTW, if you went the "Plus 1" route, your 205/70x15 tire would become a 215/60x16 tire, which would fit in the spare tire well.
Bob
When I have these conversations over in Vans, I seem to be one of the few who cares whether I have a space saver or full-size spare. I seem to get more flats than the average driver though.
I wonder what the mileage hit is from lugging a heavier full-size spare around all the time?
Steve, Host
His comment to me (paraphrased): Dealer = bad, Subaru = good
So if it is your action behind the scenes, THANK YOU! If not, then it is great to see someone in Cherry Hill being very proactive....
Steve
Patti
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/p9e5f3b1b420477cf4837- f0f3025c6af2/fdae1f89.jpg
Not even close. That's they the spare is for temporary use only. That's my wife's Legacy L, by the way, 205/60R15 full size replaced that donut. I also removed the styrofoam "filler" above the donut.
If bit did that too, then you can fit the smaller tires from an L or a GT, but not the Outback. I wonder if the same will be true for the 2005s.
-juice
Oh well....
I recently submitted some suggestions about the 05 Legacy GT on the SOA website and like a dummy I mistyped my return email address.
Well, just the other day I received a letter thanking me for my comments and that my email bounced so they were trying snail mail instead. My original comments were also inclosed in the letter.
I have to say I was impressed at how SOA made an effort to acknowledge my comments even when they couldn't reach me via email. I assume that most manufacturers wouldn't even bother if the email bounced. This effort really makes it feel like my opinions count! Kudos!
Ken
VW - bring vehicle in for recall, no parts available at dealer though they knew what it was coming in for! Parts ordered a week later by dealer. Call dealer 2 weeks later, they have no idea when parts will be in. Call again 3 weeks later, still no idea. They claim no parts for warehouse for all Midwest!(Replacing parts on a million cars is a problem, I can understand that but then why tell people to bring them in if they have no parts for a recall!)
email VW to find out if this is for real. Get reply saying someone will contact me by phone in 2 business days. A week later no contact so I call them. Nice lady says she will call dealer herself and get back to me later that day.No call that day. I call back 2 days later. They need to check with dealers parts manager when date of parts ordered (I told them that in my email!) and then they need to check with their warehouse and they will get back to me in a day or two. One week later still no response so I call VW. Parts have been at dealer for 2 days already!
(I won't tell you my Audi story from the 80s because I don't think the statute of limitations has run out on that one yet and an attorney friend of mine still thinks I can sue them for big bucks but thats a story for another time!)Besides if it wasn't for that Audi experience I would have never found Subaru!
Write Ford to ask why the engine gasket blew at 60 K and would they be willing to help with the costs. Get usual "beyond warranty" form letter. Call Ford about same (dealer thought this would get better results for some reason) get very abrupt (some may say rude) reply from service rep. 6 months later get letter from Ford saying they are extending engine warranty to 100K due to the total POS they have been making and refunding costs of repairs or giving 4K towards any new Ford/mercury product. Dealer has never heard of this when I ask them. Takes 3 calls to get this confirmed on phone by dealer! You'd think if they had sent a half million letters out to irate Ford owners they would have told their dealers about it!
Subaru- a/c freon leaking on my Legacy, have Subaru Gold ext warranty. Bring it to dealer. Its not leaking as it works fine they say though there is fluorescent green stuff on the air drier! OK ! 1 week later it defintely is not working properly now. They replace leaking drier. Still not right. Bring back to dealer, system not charged full, recharged. Cooling better but not normally and makes funny sound now. Back to dealer who claims its the belts and a/c working normally. Bring car to Subaru senior master tech (from original dealership I purchased car from who now runs own shop)- condensor shot.
email SOA. They email back this needs to be dealt with by phone to get more details. Call SOA. I need to talk with a technical person who will call me back. Get call next day. Have very pleasant chat with someone at SOA. I need to either bring back to dealer who did repairs (who I think are without a shadow of doubt totally incompetent by now) or find another dealer. Go to another dealer, same diagnosis as by senior master tech in 5 minutes. Parts ordered, a/c fixed!
Now thats an experience which helps confirm that my having purchased 4 Subarus in the last 10 years was a good idea and someone is doing something right at SOA!
Sl OT but the reason that Sube senior master tech (who was about the only one in the Chicago area) left a dealership was because the one he was at stopped selling Subarus.The reason they stopped was because they were also an Audi dealer and Audi found out by sending some spies to the dealership that people were walking in to look at the A4 and leaving with a Legacy/Outback and the owner was given an ultimatum, no Subes in the same building as the Audis or no Audi franchise!!
BTW - went to Toyota today to order a plastic cap for my Sienna's roof rail that popped off. A simple plastic cap maybe 8" x 3". $57! I think I will try the internet first.
Greg
I get parts for half that price from Subaru.
-juice
wpgilbe "Legacy/Outback Wagons Problems & Solutions (Wagons)" Jan 23, 2004 4:06pm
Patrick could really use some support from Subaru.
Craig
Patti
Craig
Of course, this type of response leaves affected owners wih no other recourse than to seek help from other sources.
I think Patrick is wise in doing so.
-Frank P.
Patrick - I think you'll be learning about our action plan on Monday morning.
Thanks!
Patti
I think Patrick is wise in doing so.
To Patrick-
It WILL be wiser to be patient and allow SoA to review. Any pursuant of matter through external sources MAYBE hindering and add to the frustration(s).
Hope all will work out well for you too
-Dave
No fair coming here and trolling the boards for you own personal satisfaction. You can't just drop in and toss random insults like that.
If you insist on trolling, go away.
-juice
Not much detail, and due to lack thereof one might lean towards driver error.
-Dave
The police "tested" the brakes at the scene (right before my eyes) by pressing the pedal while still standing outside the vehicle. After this "infallible test" and given the fact that there were no skid marks at the scene, the investigating officer determined that the brakes could not have beeen at fault and concluded that my wife simply had failed to stop, charging her with "careless driving." Go figure.
At any rate, we notified SoA about the accident, placed the vehicle in storage pending test and evaluation and provided all the materials requested by SoA to aid in their investigation, hoping they'd find a solution to our problem.
However, SoA chose to close the case, discounting its merit simply because of what they found in the erroneous police report. Didn't ask to see the vehicle to scan for fail codes, inspect the ECU and sensors, etc. Nothing.
Again, go figure.
What was the characteristic of this failure?
Distance/speed at which the brakes were applied before collision?
Road surface condition?
Tire condition, brake fluid level, etc...
-Dave
Again, in a nutshell, she applied the brakes as she neared an intersection where traffic had stoppped (she was roughly seven car lengths from the intersection with two vehicles moving ahead of her) where the pavement was mostly smooth and dry.
Met resistance from the pedal. No braking. Pressed harder. No braking. Impact. Reapplied brakes hard and steered right to avoid car in front. Pedal went to the floor. No braking. Second impact.
Textbook ABS failure. Except maybe in the local police department's accident investigation training manual.
as some have said before, any serious issue takes time to gather facts and decide on a course of action .. since this is NOT the official way to communicate with SOA on these issues, it becomes a "venting" area, which can be helpful in some cases .. I also have empathy for anyone who is without a car .. we depend on our vehicles to get us to work, etc .. and most of us do not live in areas with good, reliable public transportation!
I do get rather tired of issues being judged here when none of us have all the facts ....
(and I hope you don't judge people as precipitously)
ok .. you can ignore me from now on if you wish .. lol
-Frank P.
I also understand that SoA has not closed their books and are committed to monitor for solid proof that the purported failure does even exist and its cause, if it indeed exist. As it stands, it has been proven to be operating normally and it has not been proven otherwise.
-Dave
<rant off>
Greg
I consider myself a pretty competent driver and try as I may under all sorts of conditions and wheel and tire combinations on my 01 Legacy GT wagon I have never even come close to dublicating this fault.
Cheers Pat.
Bob
The President of FHI did visit Subaru recently. His background is in Product Planning in Japan and he's very receptive to product improvement ideas. It's a bit new for someone at FHI to have this background and to be in such a high leadership role. This concept (Brand Managers) was probably an idea that was born out of his interest in bringing some new and exciting ideas to our model lines and SOA's similar desires.
This whole thing looks really good for us and I think your impact (the Subaru Crew) will be even more significant.
I'm kind of excited by it all. Now, if only I could get one of those jobs!!
Patti