2008 Impreza Roof Rack Noise Problem

Dude,

What's the dealer say? This body integrity issue is covered by your factory warranty. :-)

-- Todd H.

Is it an OEM roof rack, or an aftermarket one? Maybe play around with the crossbar position a bit to cut down on the turbulence. A rack is gonna cause some noise, just due to it's nature. But I would take the car back to the dealer to get the 'weather strips' replaced....

Dan D '99 Impreza 2.5 RS Central NJ USA

The dealer confirms the manufacturer acknowledges problem exists with OEM product. Their solution is to remove the rack from the car.

Ugh, that sucks. Which rack are we talking about the usual rails and such?

Are the cross-bars removable?

Are the cross-bars on backwards? Thick part should be towards the front.

Dave

The OEM crossbars screw into slots on the roof. I guess they could be installed incorrectly, but on the bottom side of one rack specifies the position and direction it should be facing. I have a neighbor with the exact same car and rack. They had the noise problem and their dealer installed five triangular bars across on the front bar and according to the driver the noise has been eliminated. I asked my dealer about the fix up, but he said it was the European solution and Subaru does not have this in the USA. Who knows why? I'm baffled as to Subaru's response to this issue.

Sounds like you need to go to your neighbor's dealer!

Dan D '99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's) Central NJ USA

Spoke with a different dealer today. He said the vehicle is designed knowing it will make noise. Roof racks are only a temporary convenience. I said I found it hard to believe Subaru would design a product in this new millennium that is not aerodynamic. No response from dealer. I buy my next car from a different manufacturer.

Good luck with that.

Dan D '99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's) Central NJ USA