[WJM]

Sticky please.

I'm posting this info here so you guys and gals will be aware of what will happen when you take your subaru in for warranty repairs. I've posted this on other forums as well, so please excuse the quotations.

Originally Posted by WJM

http://wjmrallyesport.com/02-101-07174724.pdf

Please read that carefully before bringing your SUBARU in for any warranty work if you have modifications.

I know some of it may seem/look silly/funny, but that's SOA policy and it is not going to change.

I am posting this so there's no shock/surprise when we tell you "This is not covered under warranty."

Also, an IMPORTANT note...so you guys/gals dont think that SOA is out to deny anything and everyone with a 'mod' no matter how big or small....

You and your mods are by default....Innocent until proven guilty. Meaning that we have to absolutely prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the modification caused the failure before we deny the claim.

Originally Posted by WJM

Ok guys and gals...

It has not been an issue in the past, but with the onset of OpenECU/Enginuity and the AP/Ecutek costs coming down (along with the large availability these days)...SUBARU is going to take a public stand above and beyond what is already stated sometime in the near future....

But, in case no has heard already....I am about to tell you what the deal is.

Once your ECU is reprogrammed beyond what is available from SUBARU (meaning, as delivered from your dealer, including any factory warranty reprogramming available from your dealer)...your powertrain warranty is GONE.

Thats right, no more warranty on ANY engine internal piece or transmission internals.

Sorry, but SOA is not going to assume responsibility of someone else's mistakes of modifying the car beyond factory specifications.

Originally Posted by WJM

It has come to my attention that almost zero people are aware of SUBARU's manual transmission policy when it comes to broken peices.

Read carefully:

http://wjmrallyesport.com/01-156-0351672.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAQ:

1) Is it possible for the owner of the car to see the actual gears for them selves after the tranny has been pulled when being denied of warranty claim?

- Yes, it is part of proper procedure.


2) What happens if the owner of the car decides to take the car out of the dealership to fix everything them selves, can they tow the car as is? or do you guys have to put everything back together to have it out of the shop?

- To be answered in #3.

3) What if the owner took the tranny apart because he didn't want to pay for labor incase the warranty is denied? Can he still bring in the broken tranny in to see if it will be covered under warranty?

- Warranty PAYS for the removal and teardown to the point in which the point of warranty is denied...in this case, the case being split and the broekn gear revealed. However, IF the customer takes it apart themselves, there is no factory warranty remaining on the peice, as it was not disasembled by SUBARU trained technicians under employment by a SOA Dealer.

At this point, with the trans out and apart, there is still no cost to the customer unless loaner cars or tow trucks are involved. At this point, the customer can either pickup the car, in peices, and take it to a shop of choice if they choose not to pay for the Dealer to fix or replace. If you want the transmission put back together, you pay for reassembly, and reinstall of the transmission, and 'drive' away...preferibly tow. Otherwise, we are not obligated to do anything once we reach the point of discovery. From that point, warranty stops, and customer pay takes over.

Best bet, if you broke a gear, knowing that you stripped teeth....you have a few options.

1. Get hassled by a dealer...or take it to one that knows what they are doing. Like I said, if the car is still under powertrain warranty, the car is ASSUMED to be covered until we reach the point of discovery. At that point, the trans will come out and be torn down, and again, we stop at the PoD.
2. Go ahead and have it rebuilt, either with factory parts or otherwise.
3. 6spd swap.

***Point of Discovery***

The PoD is the point in which the SUBARU factory trained technician and/or Feild Service Manager (Service Rep from the area) determines that either racing, abuse, or modifications caused the failure. This is also the stage at which factory defects are found.

HOWEVER...in the 22 years of this design of 5MT, there has never been a raw factory defect in the gearsets to result in ANY of the failures we have seen from the WRX's.

I, personally, have NOT been able to break one in any manner when driven properly. However, I have had the pleasure of dealing out PURE abuse to the 6MT, and it just will not break. SUBARU/FUJI knows this about the 6spd, to in that event, if there is a failure in the 6MT...it is CERTINLY NOT a defect. Defects in the 6spd are under the 0.1% range.

Any more questions? I am more than happy to answer any that exist.

And for extra credit, I'll re-iterate this, as it is a FACT with SOA Policy:

You and your mods are by default....Innocent until proven guilty. Meaning that we have to absolutely prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the modification caused the failure before we deny the claim.

This is an FYI. Please take it as such and not any other way.

Now back to your regularly scheduled posting. Thanks!

[steelgraySTi06]

good to know

[sleepsindirt]

seems like people a scared to respond,i am not surprised a bit.thanks for the heads up.

[pearlwhitesti]

[Maverick31]

How often do they check if the ECU has been reflashed?

[Maverick31]

For instance...
I'm taking my car to the dealership on wed. in order for them to replace my turbo drain line (it's somehow leaking). Will they check my ECU? I don't see why they would do that. Do all Subaru dealers have the ability to check if you've had your ECU reflashed?

[pearlwhitesti]

Yes they will check your computer, all Subaru dealers have the equipment to check your ecu. You better pray tonight!

[pearlwhitesti]

MY entire powertrain warranty got voided when my dealer saw the AP when I took it in for the first completmentary oil change.

[Maverick31]

You actually think they'll check the ECU for just a problematic turbo drain line?

I already had the struts replaced, and they didn't check.

[Deuce Cam]

Originally Posted by pearlwhitesti

MY entire powertrain warranty got voided when my dealer saw the AP when I took it in for the first completmentary oil change.

I hope you're joking, they can't void your warranty by simply seing an AP in your car if nothing is wrong with your car. Although, in this case the dealer probably made a note to deny warranty on your engine if something happens to it down the road.

[Okeyd57]

My dealer is a pretty cool ! They even installed my Prodrive RB320 suspension kit on my 06 STi !

And if something major did occur, they would know I didn't do it, because they know I know how to drive, and I baby her a lot.

Of course, if it were a situation where the Subaru rep got involved, it may be a different story. I've met him, and he's a real cool guy, but I've never been in that kind of a situation with him either.

All I'm saying is that dealers vary greatly, as far as how they look at mods.

[Turninconcepts.com]

What is this "warantee" thing everyone keeps talking about? I've never given such a thing a second thought...

[WJM]

Originally Posted by Maverick31

For instance...
I'm taking my car to the dealership on wed. in order for them to replace my turbo drain line (it's somehow leaking). Will they check my ECU? I don't see why they would do that. Do all Subaru dealers have the ability to check if you've had your ECU reflashed?

Your standard SUBARU dealer does not have a way to check an ECU for reflashing for 2002~2006 cars. In 2007 SUBARU added a few features to the ECU in the OBD2 information that if a tech knows what a stock car looks like and what a reflashed car looks like...then there ya go.

Originally Posted by pearlwhitesti

MY entire powertrain warranty got voided when my dealer saw the AP when I took it in for the first completmentary oil change.

Thats BS. They cannot void your warranty.

From NASIOC:

Originally Posted by wrx182

Dear Mr. Culliton:

Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site again. I hope that you have been enjoying your WRX!!

First and foremost, get that nasty word VOID out of your vocabulary. The ONLY way your warranty from Subaru will be VOIDED is if you take it out of the country.

Now, for the facts. We do not recommend the installation of any aftermarket parts in any of our vehicles. Doing so, will NOT affect your warranty. But, any problems caused would not be covered by your warranty from Subaru.

For example, an air freshener is an aftermarket product. Therefore, we would not recommend that you install one in your WRX. But, it is really not going to cause any problems, so there would be no harm or problems caused.

Finally, this is your WRX. Therefore, you can do as you deem appropriate. But, if the installation of an aftermarket part causes a problem, you would be responsible for paying for the repairs.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us again. Have a great weekend!!

John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.

From this thread: NOTHING Will "Void" The Warranty. (merged) - NASIOC

[Maverick31]

Thank you WJM.

[solovus]

Originally Posted by WJM

From this thread: NOTHING Will "Void" The Warranty. (merged) - NASIOC

Too bad that was back in 2001...I'm not saying it isn't valid, but policies can change in 7 years. I am curious how the response would look if sent today.