WARNING - Subaru doesn't honor warranties

Your mistake. You didn't get that in writing

If you did not sign a repair estimate then you are not legally responsible to pay.

Small claims court.

What was the nature of the transmission failure? If it was stripped gears Subaru will automatically consider it abuse and deny the claim. That doesn't excuse them proceeding with the repair without your authorization though. There is a good supply of used WRX transmissions around, so you could pick one up for well under $1000 and have it installed by a local shop. Check the classified section on

Also try contacting Subaru of America. My son had trouble with a STI tranie and was getting flak from the dealer until he got SOA involved.

thanks I will try that

Yup I know, never tought they would stab me in the back after... learned my lesson there.

They say I agreed over the phone... my word against the mechanics word

might just do that

Yup it was stripped gears and they said abuse at first but then changed to "because of the exhaust"

I had found low mileage tranny for around 1800$ and I could of installed it myself but I had to pay them to get my car back... the work was already done. I was planning on rebuilding it with better gears, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel which I could of done for around 2000$.

thanks for the link

Will SOA do anything for Canada? It says on their website:

Subaru of America, Inc. does not include Canada, but Subaru Canada, Inc. can be visited at

Subaru Canada won't help. I will try calling them as soon as they open.

How do you know, if you haven't called them

I did talk at a Subaru rep I know, he laughed, apparently stripped gears are common among those that buy the WRX, but not among those that don't Sound like a pattern to you (and not caused by Subaru)

Good luck, my guess is you will end up paying for the Trany

I have just called SOA and they don't even listen for customers in Canada which I understand. I have also talked to different reps at Subaru Canada and that didn't do any good.

I understand that it would be common on a WRX. Why would anyone buy a WRX if you want a car for sunday driving? The tranny obviously can't take it, I wasn't that hard on my car. Yes I did try to see what it could do when I first got it but I never power shifted or missed gears on downshifts.

I am pretty sure I am going to end up paying for the tranny myself but at least I will put up a fight. My beef is more with the service I received at Subaru. I have also applied to go on various consumer protection TV shows to tell my story. I will try my best to give them bad publicity. At least I will be able to get a little satisfaction when they lose hundreds of futrue customers.

I have applied for the CAMVAP program which is a third party negotiator for claims between dealerships and consumers. I hope this can at least give me a rebate. I am trying to avoid going to small claims court but if I have too I will. It's probably going to be months before I get this thing resolved. If I can remember to check for newsgroups I will let you know the outcome.

thanks for the reply Dan

Canada might be different, but you should be aware that most small claims courts in the US have no collection power.

You might spend a day off from work and "win", only to never see a dime.

well that really stinks, I am not sure if it's the same in Canada

I have some experience with small claims court years ago in Alberta, Canada. While the court itself does not collect for you, when you win against a business you can wreak havoc on them if they don't pay with seizures and putting a lien on their property. Plus they have to pay all your expenses.

Adam

but if I lose, I'll probably have to pay their expenses. It's a risk taking them to court, might ending up costing me even more

At least it sounds like you Canadians can get real satisfaction if you've got a good case!

Of course you only go to court if you have a clear case and are convinced you are going to win.

Adam

They can if the sign isn't properly worded.