Arniet

I have an '05 Baja that started knocking at less than 9,000 miles. Rep says "that's normal". Maybe for a worn out piece of crap, but it shouldn't be for an almost brand new car. They replaced the timing belt tensioner, and it got better, but it still sounds like it's going to blow up on bitter cold mornings for about the first 10 to 15 minutes. No one can explain to me what is so different about this engine that causes this problem. Oh well, I've got about 38,000 miles left on my warranty, we'll see what happens.

I have an '05 Baja that has had this problem since it got 9,000 miles on it. It's so bad on bitter cold mornings that I'm almost afraid to drive it. It's been to the dealer 3 times for it. They replaced the timing belt tensioner, and it's not as bad, but they say it's "normal". I find it amazing that any manufacturer would sell a car nowadays that sounds like this. If this is a "normal" vehicle for them, it's definitely my LAST Subaru.

"A plethora of 12 inch rulers knocking on walnut shells"? That's a poetic way of describing it.

I have an '05 Baja, 2.5 liter with 9,000 miles on it. I also have a knock for the first 10 or 15 minutes when it's bitter cold out. The dealer says it's normal. I've owned close to 30 cars in my life, and build prototype engines for GM, and have never heard such a noise. It seems to last too long to be piston slap. But if Subaru says it's okay, I guess I'll just drive it til it grenades itself.