Subaru Front Bumper Drill Holes For Licence Plate

2017 Subaru Outback, purchased new and very seldom driven having less
than 15k miles with Subaru's extended 4 year warranty. After bringing the
vehicle in for service and having a rather odd occurrence gave me the fight to
do some research.
     Here's the major issue, and common among previous Subaru owners, the
front license plate being drilled into the front bumper as this is something
anyone would want. I first figured this out when my license plate was hanging
by one bolt. Upon examination I find two drilled holes where two perfectly
useful holes could have been utilized but weren't, with hairline cracks
emanating from each hole 1-2 inches in length.
      The problem I have with this is not so much cosmetic, it is safety. Vehicles
born after 2,000 (most), have the ability to withstand an impact of 5-15 mph
without triggering safety protocols, and most will pop back out to shape with
the addition of a deep scratch. It is required for the vehicle to be brought to
service to have it examined and most notably the sensors not just for the air
bags, but also the driverless cruise control.
       Here's my issue, in the warranty section of the manual, Subaru clearly
states if the vehicle is under warranty (it is), and a defective or improperly
installed item will be replaced by Subaru under warranty at no cost to the
customer provided it meets those specifications.
    In the safety section it clearly states if you are applying any non-genuine
Subaru accessories, applying any work such as drill holes, altering, modifying,
or changing any item of the vehicle, the warranty is void unless done by
Subaru. This is especially specific when dealing with Safety and any specific
items that could have malfunctioned due to the customers decision.
      This conflicts when Subaru is the outlet, which modified (yes a simple
license plate installation), a front bumper to function for safety, providing the
driver, passengers, and of course the other drivers and daily occurrences to do
so in a safe way when the vehicle was first purchased. Having a damaged
bumper now allows safety to be a real issue where upon a 1 mph or 15 mph
front end collision, (Subaru states 12-19 mph impact) the front airbags are not
in a position to be 100% safe as the bumper is no longer able to withstand any
impact without fear of the entire bumper cracking instead of compressing.)
      Also to note the Front. Sub-Sensors for the driver assist cruise control are
directly above the bumper, placing a huge risk to the entire driving system if
the bumper were to fail, which is highly likely. No testing has been done to
determine the longevity or safety of a broken, fractured, drilled bumper has
compared to a safety, intact, factory installed bumper. Examples: debris from
the road, minor collision, accumulation of water/rust/dirt inside the bumper to
components exposed to the elements otherwise always sealed.
      Not to mention cosmetic, but you also now have a weakened area of the
vehicle, which now provides less and different variables to all other
components around this one item, not limited to the headlights, the grille, even
aerodynamics can be affected, safety of course, however a list of unforeseen
factors could come into play way down the road or tomorrow.
       Fact is, Subaru, an authorized version of Subaru, the last time I checked,
made the decision to install and modify a component of a brand new vehicle,
owned and purchased by a customer of Subaru, without permission or notice,
installed and affixed a license plate, required by law, however giving no prior
notification or cause to the owner to the decision for the process or the
modification/installation itself.
         The option of a mount, found through Subaru's own authorized dealers,
seemingly common practice in other car dealerships. A helpful and sad remark
found common place among forum boards and review websites across the
internet from past Subaru owners with the first notion to come to mind is
telling Subaru not to install your front license plate and to purchase a mounting
bracket to prevent 2 drill holes in your front bumper.
    Is Subaru paying attention to it's customer reviews let alone testing and
finding how much of a safety issue and financial issue this is finding more and
more people who have had Subaru replace and repair a brand new bumper at
no cost, yet it still is done, why?
     I refuse to allow my disabled mother and elderly father drive any vehicle
with this type of inaptitude towards their customers and the items being sold,
in all honesty any services if this is the way they treat their customers. I have
had many different vehicles, never had something as eye opening as this, even
a 1971 Pontiac Lemans Lemmon.... I still have it, however, they were honest in
the sense of fixing their mistakes in the end.
     Cosmetic issues are not covered by normal wear and tear or from the
owners installation out of Subaru. Subaru installed, modified and did this on
their own accord. Safety specifically outlines the bumper cannot be damaged
or modified leaving it open to accident prone issues and other unknown safety
concerns, the vehicles own independent account for specifically driver assist
vehicles prohibits modification unless approved and done so from Subaru,
however at the very same moment, it clearly states the bumper cannot be
modified if it is a driver assist vehicle.
       This should be an open and shut case, when I first explained this to
Subaru it seemed as though it was clear, and it would be taken care of, and
when it wasn't it was explained again with understanding once again, however
now the vehicle is in for service, conveniently this isn't Subaru's issue, but
rather the driver's responsibility to pay for the bumper and labor. I guess they
assume I care 99% about the resell value of the vehicle, and not complaining
about the loaner vehicle with 23 miles on it, beautiful. Hey! Going to go check
that bumper.
      Anyone that is reading this, obviously I've done too much research, I am
just wondering if anyone has said no and put up a fight to a proper and just
cause action against this or services such as this. This actually happened to
my mother's twin sister and Subaru repaired it for her without even asking, so
getting evidence or advice is not entirely what I am after, I am honestly taken
aback at the lack of consistency in what is labeled as a safe, satisfactory,
reliable vehicle which is on the same playing field as every other self driving or
driving assist vehicle.
       If someone has a statute or recall/manufacturer service number to
reference without needing to explain and outline two different manuals, and
common sense. It is honestly sad, my family really loves the new Subaru we
were given and we are actually buying a new vehicle shortly, I'm still very much
so on the fence about whether or not to steer them and others away from
Subaru or not.

Thank you to all who has read this and agree, disagree, offer their opinion,
advice, or feedback. All be well, especially in the unfortunate times we are all,
together, regardless of outcome and or knowledge/views for people watching
the news or not. We all need to band and stick together, as one.

Thank you,
      Robert