Hi there- I have a 2002 Forester and noticed a few months after buying it and moving to New England that the clutch was definitely "off" esp. in the morning when the car was cold. I took it to a local dealer and they told me nothing was wrong with it (it was under warranty at that point) now at 58,000 miles it is getting worse and I've recently learned from Car Talk that this is a familiar problem and Subaru should replace it. Does anyone have any advice at how to approach the local dealer again (esp. when they have been patronizing bastards to me since I'm a young woman?) Car Talk said to go straight to the Zone rep. Has anyone had experience with asking for a replacement?

Thanks!

Hi there- I have a 2002 Forester and noticed a few months after buying it and moving to New England that the clutch was definitely "off" esp. in the morning when the car was cold. I took it to a local dealer and they told me nothing was wrong with it (it was under warranty at that point) now at 58,000 miles it is getting worse and I've recently learned from Car Talk that this is a familiar problem and Subaru should replace it. Does anyone have any advice at how to approach the local dealer again (esp. when they have been patronizing bastards to me since I'm a young woman?) Car Talk said to go straight to the Zone rep. Has anyone had experience with asking for a replacement?

Thanks!

 

First and foremost, young woman or not, you have the right to be treated correctly and to have problems fixed to your satisfaction. I bought a 2005, 5-speed, Forester last January. The clutch chattered from day one. I drove it for a while to see if it would work its way out. After 1500 miles I brought it to the dealer to have it checked. The shop foreman said that some chatter and some don't but most of them smooth out eventually. When the weather started to warm up (45 degrees plus) the chatter went away. I am concerned that this may be a temperature related issue BUT it should not chatter at all! According to Subaru forums this problem was fixed by the end of the 2003 model year. By all means speak to the dealer shop foreman first and ask what your options are. If he says that there is nothing he can do (especially with 58000 miles) then you should write to/visit the Zone Rep and insist on a solution. You might have to split the cost of replacement, or pay for the installation while Subaru pays for the parts. Either way, don't lose your cool, be reasonable and don't let them patronize you. Good luck, rjpm