My "new" 2006 first bought in Nov. '05 by an older lady now has 51,000 miles. By Subaru''s own schedule it was due for new timing belt after 105 months in the Fall of 2014. Now a few days from 2019 isn't it darn near urgent to replace it. and shouldn't the dealer have mentioned that likely $1200 plus bill coming due??

Find a good independent Subaru shop and save money but have them inspect the belt before replacing it, it may have a lot of life left in it. The dealer has no obligation to tell you what the service schedule is.

Not from Minnesota, Mark? When a crucial rubber belt is 4 YEARS past Subaru's best estimate of no- risk service life, a fair notice is at least good practice to secure good will and repeat business, and a good case can be made in small claims court that overall assurances that it is a good car are undercut by the ticking time bomb of aged rubber belt. My view.

Take it to court if you think you have a case. What do they actually owe you? A service warning? Not the belt installation! If they had installed a new belt before you bought it they would have added that to the price and you would have paid more. There is an access port on the belt cover that allows you to check for cracks or missing teeth on the belt. My suggestion is to inspect it if you want to run the belt longer or since you want a new belt go ahead and pay for it.

Assurances that the car is good does not mean it will not need future repairs and maintenance! The car is in fact good according to what you say. I rarely take the dealers side but in this case I will.