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Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • somuchfunsomuchfun Member Posts: 5
    Just to update -- went back today and the business mgr and salesperson made it all right for us --
  • cacmancacman Member Posts: 40
    I am going to be purchasing the aero cross bars in the next month or so. Anyone want to sell theirs before I buy mine. LMK
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Please - no buying and selling in the Forums! :)

    tidester, host
  • cacmancacman Member Posts: 40
    sorry - my bad.
  • ccacpccacp Member Posts: 117
    Quel est le nom du concessionnaire ?
  • filionfilion Member Posts: 7
    Le concessionaire qui ma vendu mon Tribeca est Bill Kolb Subaru
    www.bkcars.com
    Orangeburg NY pas trop loin 5hres de route
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Voulez-vous le pomme frite du petite garcon...OK I give up, English please! ;)

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The point of these forums is to share solutions and tips, so asking people to e-mail you privately sort of defeats the purpose. I doubt you'll get any replies.

    Any how, call 800-SUBARU3 and ask for their help. Be polite and pleasant, because they an escalate a problem to the regional techs that are speciliasts and may be able to fix some of the issues you're having.

    It sounds like the dealer is at least trying, given they fixed some of the problems, but if they are hit-or-miss call the number above to get more help. Good luck.

    -juice
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    Fortunately the gap between the door and dash board are exactly even for me. It is very important that before taking delivery of a particular car you drive it and scrutinize every detail- it's probably pretty rare to have that much of a gap, I am surprised other parts of the dashboard have no issue lining up consequently (to the windshield, front quarter glass panels etc.)

    It should be interesting to see what others have to say...
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    the point is to help one another,
    My point is, I contacted the customer service at 1800......
    also emailed back and forth with them. Their final word was, You can drive it so there is nothing we can do or will do. Nice?
    I am talking to attorney general to see what they are going to tell them
    thank you
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    As I recall your problem was that the gap between the dashboard and the door panel on the left is twice as on the right. It's possible someone here can offer guidance on that issue but you may be more interested in Warranty Claims Administration.

    tidester, host
  • nhstevenhsteve Member Posts: 79
    anyone having intermittant trouble with the drivers window? won't go up sometimes unless you keep activating up on the button, sometimes goes up or down on it's own. Of course the dealer says that he has to be ale to reproduce the problem and of course it always works when he tries it. This has happened many times.

    Trying to keep the window closed when it rains in NH.

    Steve
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    Steve,

    The B9 only has Auto Down for the driver's side window. It will not go back up automatically- which is somewhat annoying since my A6 has Auto down AND up for ALL windows!

    I'd consider asking the dealer to remove the door panel and make sure the connectors are completely snapped into place. It's worth asking; good luck.
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    I am really surprised! What is this, be polite and pleasant. What is wrong with you? I am a polite person, but I do not see why I have to be apologetic. They built a defected vehicle, their QC dept let it out of the factory, I am paying for a product that is not 100% why should I not be able to replace it like anything else in AMERICA. I mean what is a big deal. They made a mistake, should apologize and offer to me another vehicle. Where are we? Russia in 1974?
    THEY ADMITTED THE PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT IT CAN NOT BE FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!! Yet will not offer a refound or another vehicle this is my point
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I think Juice was simply offering some friendly advice and tips. Of course, you're free either to accept or reject it.

    tidester, host
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    mbogdan,

    At any case- Subaru may be obligated to attempt to correct the problem; in no way should they be held liable to replace the vehicle (the car poses absolutely no threat to your safety or others, and is in perfect working condition). Unfortunately you saw the vehicle before you bought it- that is something you should have seen. At that point you may have wanted to look at another Tribeca on their lot, or another Subaru dealer and if not a consistent problem, picked a different one.

    Have you in fact looked at different Tribeca's to see if they have gaps in the dashboard as terrible as yours? The Tribeca is a terrific vehicle as you know- I hope things work out for you.
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    do you believe that a person taking a delivery of a vehicle does a 250 point inspection? it is a new vehicle a new SUBARU for God sake. I kind of trusted that it should be a good product that is one of the reason why I wanted to get it at the first place. When you go to buy a new Honda, Toyota or Subaru you do not look for the gaps or false fittings of the parts.If you buy a plasma Panasonic and at home you will notice some defects they will replace it. What is your definition of safe operation? Is this the standard SUBARU should be aiming at? You can safely operate the vehicle with scratches, without stereo system, without rear seats with no AC etc. So what is you point, Should I be impressed in 21st century that I can drive a car? no matter what noises it makes, how it looks, how it is put together? What is I SO 9000 for? why do they talke about quality. All maufactures shoud concentrate( following your logic) on four wheels engine and the steering wheel. WOW I drive a SUBARU, it makes noices, looks like my 3 year old put it together, AC doeas not work WOW EUREKA I can drive a car, WOW
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    Guys, after receiving the last response, now I know that we are wasting our time. AS LONG AS YOU CAN OPERATE YOUR VEHICLE SAFELY DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANY OTHER THING!
    YOU ARE ABLE TO DRIVE YOUR CAR safely-Finally!on the more serious note. Why do companies have their return polices?
    Stop complaining, you buy a washing machine. It is dented -do not worry you can safely wash, you buy a TV set all scratched- do not worry you can safely watch it,
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Let's stick to the issues and leave the satire/sarcasm to another venue.

    tidester, host
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    I can't find your original post. How long did you own and how many miles did you drive this car before you noticed this gap that seems to be such a problem?
  • embakerembaker Member Posts: 1
    When starting in the morning the engine almost sounds like a diesel. I switched from the break-in oil to Mobil 1 10W30 with no change. Anyone have any idea what this is? Hydraulic actuated cam timing/lift?

    My '02 WRX never made such noise at startup. Any insight would be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Eric
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Whoa there, relax buddy.

    1. I never suggested that you should be apologetic.

    B. Being nice makes the person on the other end more likely to want to help.

    Where am I coming from? I spent 3.5 years working in a Help Desk.

    You know what that's like? You show up to work, pick up the phone, and there's someone on the other end screaming at you, even though you did nothing and it's clearly not your fault.

    That type of person would walk in and we'd all pretend we were busy.

    We haven't even met, I'm merely trying to help, and you're already shouting at me (note the CAPS above).

    Reminds me of the bad old days...

    -juice
  • cacmancacman Member Posts: 40
    We have a guy in the office who ALWAYS seems to have problems - A 2005 BMW x5 4.4 - He had so many problems that he had them buy it back - Then he used the money for a 2006 x5 4.4 - did not like it either. He then traded it in on a 2004 Mercedes 500 Wagon - Does not like it for whatever reason. Can you tell he has more money than brains. Point is, there are some people who will ALWAYS find things wrong. Life is WAY TO SHORT to let things get you so upset. The guy in the office has had 3 cars in 16 months - all in the $ 50k range, and he has not been happy with one. I keep rubbing it in that I bought my 1998 LS 400 3 years ago on EBAY and have not had 1 problem. :) Juice you are 100% correct, it is easier to get bees with honey instead of vinegar. If you are nice to people, they tend to be nice to you. Just my $ .02

    By the way - happy and safe 4th to all.
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    I took delivery of the vehicle at 8:80pm in February and noticed the problem first thing next day. I reported the problem to the dealership the same day.
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    After that peech about being nice, I just give up
    Happy 4th of July to all of You,
    sincerely,
    Marek
    I am not some rich brat, I am a family guy who bought a defected vehicle THAT IS ALL
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    One last thing before I go. Gentleman what about such words as design, quality, proportions, beauty... Why do companies hire best designers, want you to pay attention to the smallest detail when advertising their product. The smallest details like the door handle or even the unique middle console/dashboard in Tribeca. One side is controdicting the other first attention to detail and design, then why is the unevenly mounted dashboard a problem to me
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    Didn't you say that you bought this Tribeca as a used car? I believe that was in your first post that you apparently deleted.
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    I also just developed this problem, the switch goes dead and you have to activate it two or three times. Sometimes I hold it for a while on the second time and then the third time it works. after that it works like normal. let me know if your dealer finds the issue. bad switch?
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    You need to calm down... Most people here are only trying to help, I could really care less what winds up happening with your car or if Subaru buys your car back (won't hold my breath) or if you can somehow take Fuji Heavy Industry to court because: "your honor my clients dash board has a bigger gap on the drivers side."

    You should not have to do a "250 Point Inspection" but something as gleamingly apparent as a dash board panel gap should not have eluded your scrutiny- at the end you have no one but yourself to blame for this. Your reaction to a few posters emails concludes that you take the path less travelled when dealing with people, I now understand why your dealership nor Subaru are not willing to work with you.

    By the way, did I mention the gaps in my dashboard are exactly even on both sides?
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    congratulations on you even dashboard!
    And thank you for your help.
    You are absolutely right, I am happy, afterall I can operate my vehicle safely.
    one last question to you Sir.
    Lets say you provide some services, lets say you built a porch that is uneven, you client call you, you go out to inspect you work and admit: yes I am sorry it is crooked.
    Your client says so when will you fix it? you say I am sorry nothing i can do about it. What do you think your client reaction would be. I am happy I can still sun tan on this porch, do not fix it and I do not want a refound?
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    so I was thinking about replacing the rear light cluster with the Euro unit with the yellow turn signals (rather than the red we have over this side of the atlantic), will it be a straight swap or will the wiring be different too. looking at pics of the Euro Tribeca, looks like they just replaced the red lens with a yellow one on the light cluster.
  • nhstevenhsteve Member Posts: 79
    CLueless:

    I have been away for a while, thanks for your reply. It happened again on the way back from the fireworks... it took several trys, 8-15 times over 40 seconds to get it to respond. the dealer won't do anything until he can reproduce the problem and that seems to be the problem... reproducing an intermittant problem!

    You are in NH as I recall, I am near the seacoast myself. any sugggestions... Tri-City is not being much help.

    For the opther replyer, thanks, I do realize that the window is notauto up, I would be happier if it went up every time I pressed the button though.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it was used, how do we know the original owner didn't wreck it or something?

    -juice
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    That's how I feel about it Juice. If mbogden bought the vehicle used, he should have done a Carfax on it.
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    it was a demo, HOWEVER I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ON SOME TRIBECAS (MINE ONE OF THEM) AT THE SAME TIME THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. THEY SENT A FACTORY REP. TO SEE IT, HE TOOK PICTURES SO PROBABLY THEY WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO NOT TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE ANYMORE. MEANWHILE I AM STOCK WITH THEIR PRODUCT NOT ASSEMBLED BY THEM ( THEY ADMIT) CORRECTLY THIS IS MY WHOLE POINT, THANK YOU
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    Oh. Um...ok. You're welcome.
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    Hey Juice. Do you live in or near Philadelphia?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    He live near Washington.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I tend to go up to Philly 1-2 times per year, though. It's only a couple of hours drive, and we usually go to the Auto Show since it's Subaru's home turf (closest to HQ).

    As for the shouting, I give up. We come to a forum to try to help each other out and share information, not to provide a punching bag for frustrated folks that lost their temper.

    -juice
  • nhstevenhsteve Member Posts: 79
    Happened again today... and the dealer insists that that have to reporduce the problem. I called Subaru and they are calling the dealer to have them open the door up and do some testing. I will keep you all posted.

    Steve
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    Thanks Bob.
  • pschreckpschreck Member Posts: 524
    I don't know why I thought you were in Philly. I guess I read a post you did about the Auto show.

    We were just in DC today. We went to the National Zoo. Took the grandkids. That is one crazy town to drive in when you're used to York and Lancaster, PA. It's a lot easier now that we're not doing it in a Sequoia. But I still truly hate your traffic circles (Connecticut (sp) Ave).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    DC? Cool. Nice thing is most things are free.

    Check out the museums, of course. Don't miss the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, a nice walk when you get time. Go up to the Lincoln Memorial and look down on the Mall, beautiful!

    -juice
  • nhstevenhsteve Member Posts: 79
    Went to see paul Simon on Saturday nigh, great show... on the way the drivers windo went down on it's own twice, thought I was still crazy after all these years. The problem seemde to be happening with increased frequency. I got the dealer to spend some time and they said that they had it happen to them too and replaced the switch. Hopefully, we've crossed the bridge over trouble waters!

    Steve
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    fortunately I have a friendly dealer. he replaced the switch right away on mine when I brought it in. said lets try this first and see what happens. also they found a faulty door sensor because the interior light was flickering and replace that as well!

    I have the GOLD extended warranty plan so all was covered :D

    let ya know if the issue went away. I only saw the window not coming back up maybe once per month.
  • harvptharvpt Member Posts: 40
    Recently in the Blistering Northeast Heatwave, My A/C makes a very subtle "popping" noise when on high. Anyone had similiar experience? Yoru thoughts :shades:
  • lisaolisao Member Posts: 9
    Thats funny, so does mine. Not all the time, mainly when its been on constantly and on high. Just another thing thats wrong.... :cry:
  • mbogdanmbogdan Member Posts: 14
    I have the same sound coming from my AC when on auto
  • jerrys2jerrys2 Member Posts: 189
    I have the same sound ... on an intermittent basis, sounds like a coffee percolator. Haven't associated with AC, but that may be it. Don't consider this to be much of a problem ... 12k trouble free miles otherwise. :)

    Jerry
  • harvptharvpt Member Posts: 40
    Had a dealer check it. No cause found. Guess its one of those phantom Problems. :confuse:
This discussion has been closed.