Complain about a product or service

Subaru

Wheel Bearings

Subaru •WRX Transmission •Wheel Bearings •General Flimsiness

Judy of Norwood MA (12/15/01):
In July 1999, I purchased a 99 Subaru Forester at Natick Subaru. In October 2001, I was told by my mechanic to have the wheel bearing looked at by the dealer because it would be covered by the warranty. I was close at 35,523 and the warranty term was 36,000 miles.

I scheduled an appointment for Nov. 6. 2001. I was unable to keep this appointment because of illness, so I called Steve the service manager, explaining the dilemma of having it done later but being over the warranty. He said there would be no problem. I called to reschedule, reminding Steve of the conversation and the date I had previously scheduled. Steve could not find record of the appointment and could not remember his statement to me. He then rudely told me he did not put the faulty part in my car, Subaru of America did.

I then phoned owner Lee Weisberg, who told me that since I did not do my oil changes or other regular maintenances there, they could not help me out. He gave me the phone number for Subaru of America. Believe me at this point, I was incensed by their lack of goodwill and by their not standing behind the Subarus they sell. I phoned Subaru of America and was told to bring it to a Subaru dealer to have it evaluated to see if they would cover the cost.

I brought my car to Norwood Subaru on Dec. 12, for the evaluation and explained why I needed an evaluation only. The service department there fixed my vehicle right there on the spot, as "goodwill." I was so happy and thankful. I was prepared to do battle, and was so pleasantly suprised by Norwood Subarus integrity. Natick Subaru could certainly learn a thing or two from Norwood Subaru.

I found out, at this time that the wheel bearings in some Subaru models, especially the 1999, are faulty and will repeatedly fail. I read many reports on line and feel it is a major problem. The mechanic I go to for service, states he has to replace these bearings all the time. The job for one wheel bearing replacement is $380.00. I intend to call Subaru of America to find out if they have a policy regarding what I consider a defect, for these faulty wheel bearings.

Gulum of San Jose CA (4/23/02):
The bearings of my Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 1998 in the driver's side rear tire went out. Already had the right side replaced 4 times. I have to fight with the dealer in order for them to cover the parts, they refused to cover the labor. I have been told that the Subaru bearings are faulty by the mechanic that fixed the right side but that Subaru will not take ownership of the problem.

Michele of Brewster NY writes (9/18/00):
My 1999 Subaru Forester (purchased new at above dealership) began making noise in late June, 2000. I took it in to a local mechanic who advised me to take it back to Subaru because there was a baffle in the muffler. I did so and had to wait for the service because the part was not available. A week later the car was making the noise again. This time Subaru determined that it was a bad right rear wheel bearing. Again, I had to wait 6 weeks for the part to come in.

Both the muffler and the bearing were under warranty. My warranty expired at 35,000 miles, which I reached sometime in August. A few days ago my car began making the same noise again and the local mechanic confirmed my suspicion that it was a bearing again, only this time the left rear bearing. I brought the car to Subaru to have it checked out. They confirmed the bad bearing and told me it would cost me $300 to have it repaired. I had the repair done today, September 18.

I am certain that these bearings shouldn't be deteriorating this quickly. Although I do not take my car to Subaru for servicing, I do have the car serviced regularly and have kept the records. I would like to know if I have any recourse here. I feel that Colonial Subaru should have fixed the second bad bearing without charge, since it occurred 3,000 miles after the other one went bad.

We'd suggest a Small Claims suit is in order.

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