2011 Forester Premium 38,400 ml power steering fluid hoses leak liquid and more...
Got my first Forester in September 2013 with 35,000 on it Certified at a Dealership. Oil
change tag was calling for my first oil change at 35,244. When I went to the oil change
place, I have been told that whoever changed the oil prior to that has tighten a bolt so
tight that now they are afraid if breaks it may require the oil pan to be replaced. I went
to my dealership mechanics and they confirmed it. To add to this problem I discovered
a leakage under the hood and it came to my knowledge after the inspection that my
power steering fluid is leaking. I was told that the hose needs a replacement. Each
repair around $350 x 2= $700. Now I was stupid not to get an extended warranty at the
time of my purchase with Subaru at $1500. When I asked the manager if their certified
car should be having a problem at this point with 38,400 ml on it at this point, I was
told the following: "It is like going to a general doctor. He confirms that you are healthy
and 2 days later you catch a flue. We can offer you to share the cost and you pay only
$350 to repair the hose and the oil pan." My question here is: Have I been fooled?
Should I go ahead and pay $350 from my pocket at the dealership and have these 2
problems fixed or try to find a repair elsewhere? I doubt anyone will offer me the original
parts at this price and what if the oil pan 100% will have to be replaced? But my major
concern is the honesty of the dealership. Could they have known about these
problems, sins they certify the car and need to inspect it for the leakage at least? The
car has no extended warranty and I feel like I have no power to win any arguments
about them selling me a malfunctioned vehicle deliberately knowing of it's problems.
Of course they tried to sell me a new car right away. They offered me a "better"
financing rate, found a car "below listed value" brand new and tried to up sell the
extended insurance for my current car. Honestly, I am lost:( What would be a sensible
thing to do? I like this 2011 Forester and frankly speaking, I do not find it better than a
new 2014 Premium sister (it has just more bells and whistles but not that much)
Option 1: Get it fixed with this dealership and take their offer to pay $350. Get
extended insurance about $2000 (unfortunately can;t go with Gold by Subaru
insurance anymore because I am at 38,400 ml and keep on observing how this one
will be behaving.
Option 2: get a brand new and Gold insurance for 100,000 ml for about $2000 as well.
Option 3 Try to push them to admit their fault by having an independent mechanics
inspecting the car and providing me with inspection analysis paper. Get Subaru
dealership to pay for these repairs. Never get a Subaru again at least not from this
shop.
