Subaru Issues a "Stop Sale" On ALL 2008 2.5L Turbo

[jp928]

Went to Suby Doncaster today to see what their plan was for this issue. According to them, there have been NO reports of engine problems here so far - must all be in US? Seems they wont be contacting owners who fall into the list for some reason.
When I also raised my concern about the headrest , the guy knew immediately what I was talking about, and told me (IIRC) Franks Engineering in Preston could shave some padding off the front and fix it for me....Now to see what Docklands say. Also curious that in today's Age review of the new Forrester (with some others of same type), they reported that 'some passengers reported the head rests were too far forward for comfort'.
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

[jp928]

Update - speaking to Docklands about my headrest (cant help you, but will contact head office for advice), was told one car in Oz has had a death rattle at the age of 10 days. Owner took the money back option and departed the fold....
jp 08 gtb 6mt, so far so ggod.

[jp928]

Another update - just had an email from Orix (leasing co) about Subaru telling them they want to inspect mine. Called the Suby person - as a sop for the inconvenience they are giving such cars the 2 year extended warranty, and if car fails test, a loaner while its fixed. I am going to combine this with the 5k first service to reduce the inconvenience, and see if they can do it while I wait....Yes they will - just be there @ 7:45AM, will do it first!
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

[Deluded]

look forward to hearing about your results......

[PRO20B]

http://www.subaru.com.au/about-subaru/n ... ne_update/

[Mano™]

bout time they did something lol! there quite a few on hold in storage here in newy hahaha now they can del em woo haha

oh well still wouldnt get a my08!

[jp928]

Went in today. Organized to do both inspection and first service (4700kms), would wait for it to save taxis and crap.
2hrs40mins later, its ok, no metal in the oil. Took them long enough though, I saw it go up and down at least 3 times. Then with me standing there waiting, they cleaned and washed it......ggggggrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh.
Anyway, it should be ok now.
Got an email from the sales guy sending me to Franks engineering if I want the headrest posts bent, so if anything goes wrong I can at least embarrass them a bit. Warranty guy said they cant do anything for me, but did I want them to send coments to FHI in Japan - Damn right I do!.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

[swingn]

This issue has been flying around for awhile now. It actually delayed the release of the new WRX STI in Hong Kong.

Thank god I'm running the good old EJ20

[Spoonie]

Hey guys,

Resurrecting this thread as I believe my vehicle is effected by this issue 9 years post manufacture.

I am getting a heavy knock noise only when above 2k rpm and appears to be a single clunking. I was luckily close to my mechanic so left the vehicle there and he said the bearing is gone.

Have done just under 120k kms on it, meticulously serviced, oil changes every 5k and still this car has chewed through 2 turbos.

From day one I felt something was not right and this only justifies that.

Currently in discussion with Subaru australia and obviously they are playing hardball. Have even said it could likely be wear and tear. So I told them that when I am buying a new vehicle I will keep in my mind to only expect 120 clicks from a Subaru engine.

Anyhow I am taking the car in Monday 27/02/17 to a service centre for diagnostic after which they said they will make a final determination.

Fact that my VIN and build date 02/08 is right in the thick of this - I will be pursuing this with Subaru.

So putting this out there for anyone who has had or has similar issues this late down the track. I am sure Subaru Australia are betting on that many users will not have known about this issue and just mark it down to "oh well"

[HardwareBoB]

Hey guys,

Resurrecting this thread as I believe my vehicle is effected by this issue 9 years post manufacture.

I am getting a heavy knock noise only when above 2k rpm and appears to be a single clunking. I was luckily close to my mechanic so left the vehicle there and he said the bearing is gone.

Have done just under 120k kms on it, meticulously serviced, oil changes every 5k and still this car has chewed through 2 turbos.

From day one I felt something was not right and this only justifies that.

Currently in discussion with Subaru australia and obviously they are playing hardball. Have even said it could likely be wear and tear. So I told them that when I am buying a new vehicle I will keep in my mind to only expect 120 clicks from a Subaru engine.

Anyhow I am taking the car in Monday 27/02/17 to a service centre for diagnostic after which they said they will make a final determination.

Fact that my VIN and build date 02/08 is right in the thick of this - I will be pursuing this with Subaru.

So putting this out there for anyone who has had or has similar issues this late down the track. I am sure Subaru Australia are betting on that many users will not have known about this issue and just mark it down to "oh well"

TBSTis have it even worse.

Lots of cars have blown up with this factory issue after being driven very slowly, then purchased with "low km" and driven more agressively - and then the latent issue that was always there grenades the motor.

[Spoonie]

TBSTis have it even worse.

Lots of cars have blown up with this factory issue after being driven very slowly, then purchased with "low km" and driven more agressively - and then the latent issue that was always there grenades the motor.

Deeply upsetting issue. When I first purchased the vehicle I was super excited, even though at the time it was well out of my budget and affordable price range. But I loved the car. I have had it since 10k kms, it was a demo vehicle - so I am the 'original' and only owner and expect to keep it until the end.

If I had known at the time I was purchasing a vehicle that that had such an inherent flaw, I would have avoided it.


Some further information I have sourced, which is an interesting read (US owner):

"2008 and 2009 models of the Subaru Legacy 2.5 engines had the piston heads, connector rods and ringlands made by a different subcontractor for this year. These heads are substandard compared to the 2005,6 and 7 year models. What happens is (to make it easy to understand) the pouring of the molds for these happens too fast, and bubbles can form under the surface.

Where the failure occurs is at higher temperatures, higher advanced timings that can occur from self tuning or using an accessport, or even something AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING THE AIR FILTER TO ALLOW MORE AIR FLOW can change the timing. If the engine runs too hot, those bubbles can cause minute failures, where the bubbles collapse. This skews the precision shape of the head, and in turn, the ringland can possibly be misshapen allowing oil blow-by.

This can be a vicious cycle until catastrophic failure. Which is what happened to my car."

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 19079.html

Even though Subaru Australia may try and claim that the vehicle is outside of warranty, they are still accountable under Australian Consumer Laws and Statutory rights.

- Statutory rights have no time limit other than what's reasonable

- any action against Subaru must be started within 3 years of of consumer becoming aware of fault and within 10 years of the date goods supplied.

- the dealer and/or Subaru Australia should have disclosed at point of sale that the vehicle was part of a stop sale due to a major mechanical flaw. This critical information should have been made known to the consumer to make a sound purchasing decision.

I have been a long time fan of the Subaru brand and have always thought them to be reliable and the brands customer service one that inspires loyalty. But this issue is really steering me away from the brand, which is disappointing.

I urge all who has a 2.5T engine VIN that falls in the range, or a build date 01/08 - 03/08 to have their vehicle assessed before its too late.

[Spoonie]

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Motor%20vehicle%20sales%20%26%20repairs%20-%20an%20industry%20guide%20to%20the%20Austalian%20Consumer%20Law.pdf

[Spoonie]

Happy to report, that Subaru Australia has won a customer (back)

They came through after the diagnosis (bearing failure) and have supplied a new long motor as a gesture of goodwill with me to pay for labour and fluids. All up cost me $1903.

I am putting this out there in case any members come across the same issue and their VIN is in the range.

I can finally close that chapter of stress in my life!

[crazyricochet]

I'm glad you managed to get Subaru Aus to do something for you, especially after seeing their response on other matters such as the cracking/sticky dash saga. That's quite a feat!

Too late for me as mine was supposedly in the correct VIN range and build date to be suspect but the motor held up fine to this day, I just thought I'd done a headgasket and upgraded anyway.

Some hope for others if their car is pretty much stock.

[vinshonz]

i spoken to spoonie about this also

"IF" my engine does blow

i wouldnt have a chance putting in a claim to subaru australia would i?

3rd owner, dont service at subaru and its modified. lol