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Subaru Complaint - 2000 Subaru Legacy Outback-Transmission Trouble - 2000 Subaru Legacy Outback has unidentified issue
2000 Subaru Legacy Outback has unidentified issue - Complaint
Resolution Update on 02/28/2008:
Well, it turns out it was a piston seal that was leaking. I took it to a place that I trust (Don's Performance Corner) and they found the problem and fixed it quickly and accurately. My car is working 100% better, and apparently this is a common problem, because the seals were updated in newer model years.
Well, it turns out it was a piston seal that was leaking. I took it to a place that I trust (Don's Performance Corner) and they found the problem and fixed it quickly and accurately. My car is working 100% better, and apparently this is a common problem, because the seals were updated in newer model years.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- I have bought a few cars from the Bobby Rahal family of dealerships, and I have been mostly satisfied, except this time! This problem may have been known before I bought the car. (used from the Toyota/Lexus dealership) I am satisfied with the vehicle otherwise.
The vehicle I own has an automatic transmission, it is basically having a hard time shifting into first gear (Drive). When I place the shift knob into first gear (Drive) it doesn't shift, I either need to press on the accelerator or be currently rolling down hill in order for the car to shift into first gear. Usually when it is colder outside (approx. 40 degress or below) the car eventually shifts into first gear and jumps foreward (it's a very rough shift) as a result of the raised RPM level, only when I am not facing downhill. This problem started about a year ago, and it may have been after a major snow and ice storm when I made an attempt to get out of the snow and ice by pressing the accelerator and moving the tires right and left to sort of 'dig' my way out of the snow. It was an intermittent issue last year, as the problem got to the point of the vehicle kicking out of first gear whenever I would come to a complete stop, I decided to take it to Aamco Transmission. That was a mistake! Not only din't they fix my vehicle's problem, they kept it there for 3 DAYS! They performed a visual inspection of the transmission, then informed me that all I needed was a transmission flush and it was a 'natural' thing for my car to shift hard into first gear. So I paid them $100.00 to flush my transmission, the manager was incompetant and couldn't figure out how to print a receipt, so I told him to mail me one. I never received one because they went out of business later that month, I have proof because I work for the bank I wrote the check to Aamco from. So Aamco may not have flushed my transmission properly, if they flushed it at all! I was frustrated because the problem continued, so I broke down and took it to a local Subaru dealership (CVM), who I KNOW (by previous customer experience) is out to make a quick buck!
This time I waited in the lobby for my car, because I know better now!
Of course, the subaru dealership not only refused to flush my transmission, they fleeced me into a service charge of $40.00 for them to do nothing other then try to get me to leave my car there for two days!!! I don't think so! The lady working there was telling me that they don't know what's wrong, they think it might be internal. I also noticed that she had a piece of paper with a WHOLE LIST of possible things to tell me could be wrong with my car! She didn't want me to see it, but I sort of grabbed it. (:-)Tee hee!) She's a talking head, the mechanic didn't even have the courtesy to come out and explain the problem to me himself, I could tell that she didn't know squat about the workings of a transmission, because she was picking out two different things from her list that were completely unrelated to be wrong with my car! So please, I need your help! I hope that you understand my explaination. On her list, I did see clutch drums written down, and she said something about an internal leak, but what puzzles me is that if it is leaking, wouldn't the dipstick read like the fluid is low?! My fiance's a diesel mechanic, he's got people who know some stuff about transmission, but I really want a professional who is experienced and won't fleece me to work on my car. I have a customer who works at a Cottman Transmission shop and he suggested that this may be on a recall, but I haven't found any of this sort. I just need some help, before I lose my car!
The vehicle I own has an automatic transmission, it is basically having a hard time shifting into first gear (Drive). When I place the shift knob into first gear (Drive) it doesn't shift, I either need to press on the accelerator or be currently rolling down hill in order for the car to shift into first gear. Usually when it is colder outside (approx. 40 degress or below) the car eventually shifts into first gear and jumps foreward (it's a very rough shift) as a result of the raised RPM level, only when I am not facing downhill. This problem started about a year ago, and it may have been after a major snow and ice storm when I made an attempt to get out of the snow and ice by pressing the accelerator and moving the tires right and left to sort of 'dig' my way out of the snow. It was an intermittent issue last year, as the problem got to the point of the vehicle kicking out of first gear whenever I would come to a complete stop, I decided to take it to Aamco Transmission. That was a mistake! Not only din't they fix my vehicle's problem, they kept it there for 3 DAYS! They performed a visual inspection of the transmission, then informed me that all I needed was a transmission flush and it was a 'natural' thing for my car to shift hard into first gear. So I paid them $100.00 to flush my transmission, the manager was incompetant and couldn't figure out how to print a receipt, so I told him to mail me one. I never received one because they went out of business later that month, I have proof because I work for the bank I wrote the check to Aamco from. So Aamco may not have flushed my transmission properly, if they flushed it at all! I was frustrated because the problem continued, so I broke down and took it to a local Subaru dealership (CVM), who I KNOW (by previous customer experience) is out to make a quick buck!
This time I waited in the lobby for my car, because I know better now!
Of course, the subaru dealership not only refused to flush my transmission, they fleeced me into a service charge of $40.00 for them to do nothing other then try to get me to leave my car there for two days!!! I don't think so! The lady working there was telling me that they don't know what's wrong, they think it might be internal. I also noticed that she had a piece of paper with a WHOLE LIST of possible things to tell me could be wrong with my car! She didn't want me to see it, but I sort of grabbed it. (:-)Tee hee!) She's a talking head, the mechanic didn't even have the courtesy to come out and explain the problem to me himself, I could tell that she didn't know squat about the workings of a transmission, because she was picking out two different things from her list that were completely unrelated to be wrong with my car! So please, I need your help! I hope that you understand my explaination. On her list, I did see clutch drums written down, and she said something about an internal leak, but what puzzles me is that if it is leaking, wouldn't the dipstick read like the fluid is low?! My fiance's a diesel mechanic, he's got people who know some stuff about transmission, but I really want a professional who is experienced and won't fleece me to work on my car. I have a customer who works at a Cottman Transmission shop and he suggested that this may be on a recall, but I haven't found any of this sort. I just need some help, before I lose my car!
Comments:
Posted by moneybags on 2008-02-08:
You had some problems LAST YEAR and didn't get them fixed when it could have been a minor repair? You waited a year and now it's worse. Dumb! You probably need a new transmission and it will cost. Fix minor things and they won't turn major. Don't forget to replace your timing belt every 50,000 to 60,000 miles or you will really pay.
Posted by ELH on 2008-02-08:
NOno I didn't wait a year, I took it to Aamco immediately! I didn't wait.
Posted by moneybags on 2008-02-09:
OOK, but the car was 7/8 years old. Buy a rebuilt transmission. The old one has been ruined.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2008-02-09:
money, think your right.
"This problem started about a year ago, It was an intermittent issue last year"
ehl, you should have had it looked at before it became a major problem.
"This problem started about a year ago, It was an intermittent issue last year"
ehl, you should have had it looked at before it became a major problem.
Posted by Lidman on 2008-02-09:
ELH, I think you are right and they probably new about it and thought it would last a while but you should have taken it back the first sign or just realize it's a USED car and there is usually problems with used cars.
Sorry
Sorry
Posted by mydogbozo on 2008-02-10:
I think your problems began when you were digging out of the snow and ice,....you "smoked" your transmission.
Posted by equiptech on 2008-03-27:
I read other comments (joke).
This is a real & popular issues for the 2000 Outback. Not related to snow (ha). Mine has done this for 40,000 miles.
Dealers want 4.5K for a trans (NOT). Rebuilts are not easy to find & Junk trans not a valid option.
I wish the OP had posted the cost & vendor who did the repair. I am an ASE certified tech but have retired. Trans shops just wish to take it out & go ($$$$). I know nthe right honest shop can do this for 2K & make money!
Thanks OP for posting!
This is a real & popular issues for the 2000 Outback. Not related to snow (ha). Mine has done this for 40,000 miles.
Dealers want 4.5K for a trans (NOT). Rebuilts are not easy to find & Junk trans not a valid option.
I wish the OP had posted the cost & vendor who did the repair. I am an ASE certified tech but have retired. Trans shops just wish to take it out & go ($$$$). I know nthe right honest shop can do this for 2K & make money!
Thanks OP for posting!
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