[blueyeqq]

The TSB appears to be limited to the front end exhaust components and unless he's mistaken, the OP said he had a muffler problem...
Not the same thing....

OK...WHATS OP ?
AND NO IM NOT A HIM...im a her and its baffles in the muffler a second time around on a 4 year old Forrester.

 

[blueyeqq]

So likely is changed after '17 I guess .... maybe? Any links?

ok so this is a 2018 Forester bought in December 2017 if they know they have a chronic issue with the baffles in the muffler then put out a damn recall or something but, dont make me keep paying for a new one every year and a half this is nuts.

 

[heymccall]

"OP" = Original Poster, as in, the person who placed the original post. As the post gets responses, it has now become a thread. OP is a lot simpler than "original poster".

 

[titleman]

2018 Florester here with 35,000 miles and I can't tell any difference with the muffler since day 1.

 

[DragonSubie7]

OK...WHATS OP ?
AND NO IM NOT A HIM...im a her and its baffles in the muffler a second time around on a 4 year old Forrester.

No need to comment on your first question thanks to @heymccall..
As he/she/?? noted, the OP abbreviation is pretty standard in forum speak.

As for the second, on a forum member's gender isn't obvious based on a name, but car forums tend to have a higher percentage of Mars vs Venus.
I don't know everything about you because you made a post, nor is gender especially relevant in a discussion.

As to the third, I was not replying to you directly, I was replying to the poster who noted a TSB (tech service bulletin) for an issue that seemed unrelated to your reported problem, which is why the reference to you as the OP was in the third person.

Finally - typing responses ALL IN CAPS is generally regarded as rude.

As far as your issue, I can understand that being a sore point for you, but the problem you note just isn't often reported.
Because you had two problems doesn't mean it's an endemic issue and requires a recall.
Actually, your report is the first I've seen on this forum muffler related in several years.

If the warranty was an aftermarket type and/or the Subaru warranty has expired by time, mileage or exclusions, you still might get some help from Subaru of America at 866-213-4690.
Explain the situation to them, and they might consider an assist since you had the previous issue repaired under warranty.

If the warranty in effect (or not) is a third party type, or the warranty was a Subaru warranty that has expired, you might want to be nice on the phone as they would have no obligation in either case.

If Subaru won't help, there are lots of muffler shops that will give you a much better deal than the dealership and provide a warranty.
Shop around.
Or don't.

 

[OutbackJon]

This is a chronic issue for you, but apparently for no one else. About the only threads I've seen regarding mufflers is about replacing the OEM mufflers for a different sound and/or more performance. The mufflers I removed from my 2017, with 30k+ miles on them were still in near new condition. A little surface rust, but that was cosmetic. Mufflers just aren't a widespread issue on these vehicles.

Since you hadn't returned to the thread, people were speculating about known exhaust issues in an attempt to be helpful. Your attitude upon return hasn't made me want to help you much more, but I'll still try, since maybe your posts weren't meant in the tone that I attributed to them.

If it is, in fact, the muffler, you've got options. @DragonSubie7 lists some good ones. You may also find used mufflers that would fit. Check with any local Subaru enthusiast groups. (Facebook is a good place to look) People usually don't ask much for used exhaust components, and you'll likely find someone that went aftermarket for sound/performance that has the OEM mufflers just lying around.

Heck, I've got a set, but I don't remember if they're for my XT or from an STI. They're just sitting outside my garage and if you want to pick them up in Greene County, NY, you can have them for free. I'm not sure if the XT muffler would bolt up if you only have a single muffler, though. (And if they're STI, you'd need to cut the bumper fascia to make room for the dual exhaust tips.)

It's literally two bolts to change the muffler. (Four if you have a dual exhaust) And a couple of exhaust hangers that you have to push the brackets through.

 

[DragonSubie7]

^ Good advice very likely wasted.
Sometimes, some people just like to vent, and suggestions are not what they want to hear.
Likely the scenario in this case......

 

[Easy Fixer]

Just to put in my 2 cents. A stuck open thermostat will never allow the exhaust gases to heat up the muffler and vaporize the water that condenses in the pipes. The water becomes highly acidic and corrodes the muffler. Solution replace the thermostat or read the OBD date and see if the engine reaches 190F.

 

[SoCalFozz]

I'm pretty sure it's the exhaust bellows got cracked. It is indeed a known issue and there are lots of complaints online about it. And it happened to me, so that automatically makes it a known issue. I'm not surprised in the least bit as I have read about many people having this happen more than once. If OP can understand what this really is I think some good advice was given by all of us. I totally understand OP's frustration. There are a lot of people flocking to Subaru that think because it's Japanese they can just drive it and change the oil. They are in for a big surprise! Subaru is a very specialized vehicle made for special purposes that entails a lot of time and expense to own. Many new owners just aren't up to the challenge.

 

[blueyeqq]

No need to comment on your first question thanks to @heymccall..
As he/she/?? noted, the OP abbreviation is pretty standard in forum speak.

As for the second, on a forum member's gender isn't obvious based on a name, but car forums tend to have a higher percentage of Mars vs Venus.
I don't know everything about you because you made a post, nor is gender especially relevant in a discussion.

As to the third, I was not replying to you directly, I was replying to the poster who noted a TSB (tech service bulletin) for an issue that seemed unrelated to your reported problem, which is why the reference to you as the OP was in the third person.

Finally - typing responses ALL IN CAPS is generally regarded as rude.

As far as your issue, I can understand that being a sore point for you, but the problem you note just isn't often reported.
Because you had two problems doesn't mean it's an endemic issue and requires a recall.
Actually, your report is the first I've seen on this forum muffler related in several years.

You didn't reply regarding the type of warranty you purchased, but IF it was an actual Subaru warranty, (i.e. NOT an aftermarket or specific dealer type) and IF it is still in effect, your muffler is a covered part regardless of what that specific dealership said.

If the warranty was an aftermarket type and/or the Subaru warranty has expired by time or mileage. you still might get some help from Subaru of America at 866-213-4690.
Explain the situation to them, and they might consider an assist since you had the previous issue repaired under warranty.

If the warranty in effect (or not) is a third party type, or the warranty was a Subaru warranty that has expired, you might want to be nice on the phone as they would have no obligation in either case.

If Subaru won't help, there are lots of muffler shops that will give you a much better deal than the dealership and provide a warranty.
Shop around.
Or don't.

First ..you or anyone should ever assume just because someone is talking about cars that its a "HIM" doing the talking.
So Gender is relevant when its a woman asking the questions, who gets refereed to as him, which is an assumption...
woman do have cars, woman do love mechanics, and grease..... and woman do have opinions.
So never assume. It was relevant because I wasn't a HE putting the question forward.

Second..typing in caps is regarding as yelling when no one hears or sees you as the person sending the question. Or is replying to something given as a rude comment.

Third- I only have 1 problem not 2
a muffler that has now gone bad twice
and i brought it to this forum to see if this is something that has been happening and may require a recall if Subaru knows its an issue.

The warranty was bought at the time of purchase and is a Subaru warranty, 8/100,000 still in effect, which apparently doesn't cover mufflers, (buyer beware, lesson learned)

I thank you for the information,
and learned a lot here about asking a simple question in a forum, made up mostly of men.

 

[551602]

OP is the original poster. Short trips were brought up because it's usually the cause of premature muffler failures. Everyone understands your upset, it's just that for most of us, it's an overreaction to condemn the whole car and brand because you may have gotten a part with a defect. Hopefully, your service advisor can explain why the muffler failed so early. I hope it works out, and that they at least give you a bit of a discount.

 

[DragonSubie7]

blueyeqq
Ahem..
"First ..you or anyone should ever assume just because someone is talking about cars that its a "HIM" doing the talking."
Really.
How is anyone to know the gender of anyone who doesn't have a handle that isn't obvious?
Why do you assume that I'm a man then? You appear to be just as guilty of gender bias, assuming I'm a man because I post on this forum.

I can assume anything I want as I recall seeing the right to free speech somewhere, that doesn't seem to include the right to not be offended.
In any case this topic isn't relevant to the problem.

As to the thread problem for general consumption...
I learn something new everyday.
Unfortunately one of these items I found is the Subaru Warranty Exclusion Parts list.

As the OP noted, HER muffler is not included in the warranty, so repair and/or replacement is not covered as was correctly noted by the dealership.
So much for the bumper to bumper coverage..

Were it me, I would still give Subaru Corporate a call and an opportunity to step up before giving up on them and going to Midas, although the latter might turn out to be a better option from both the cost and warranty perspectives. It might not.

As Quadraria10 noted, perhaps an explanation from a service advisor as to why there were two muffler failures in a car that isn't prone to them might be helpful, as one might be able to make a case that a part that is covered under the warranty, if that can be determined, caused the premature failures and should therefore be covered under the warranty that remains intact.

Maybe a stretch, maybe not.

 

[DragonSubie7]

I'm pretty sure it's the exhaust bellows got cracked. It is indeed a known issue and there are lots of complaints online about it. And it happened to me, so that automatically makes it a known issue. I'm not surprised in the least bit as I have read about many people having this happen more than once.

It could be, but it didn't sound that way based on what was stated.
I wonder what might have changed from earlier versions of the car that didn't have this problem...
None of my six Subaru cars ever had an exhaust issue, but that was prior to the single muffler adoption.
Could it have been a design change that happened when the cars went from dual to single mufflers on the NA engines?
Hmmmm...

 

[Ty1]

So my 2018 Forrester had the muffler replaced with 16,628 miles on it because the baffles were gone and it was loud, now at 61,000 miles its doing it again and they want me to pay for it, after I paid over $2190 at the time of purchase for an extended warranty they say doesn't cover this.
What a joke, this seems to be a chronic problem with this cars muffler, Now at 4 years old this would be the second time it will have to be replaced.
As if it wasn't bad enough that the seats in this vehicle are hard as a rock and the most uncomfortable seats
I have ever sat on, that makes you sore and fatigued while driving.
Now there is a chronic issue with the Muffler.
I had a bad feeling when it went the first time for the muffler to be replaced at a year and a half into owning the 30,128.00 vehicle that was paid for with cash.
I had a 2002 Dodge Neon that literally rotted to pieces and the muffler never had to be replaced in 15 years. None of my cars had mufflers go bad on them.
COME ON SUBARU cant you do BETTER THAN THIS ?
Had I only known...I would not have purchased it, we bought it because it had the highest ratings and was supposed to be the best on the market. QUESTIONABLE...at this point.

If you have ever owned a toyota before, you'll realize as I quickly did, subarus are not toyotas. subarus break down and are flawed in many aspects - just get a toyota as I will once my subaru corp. extended warranty runs out. subaru cars are similar to the now defunk Yugos (you may not remember those which could have been sold on Costco's floor room).

 

[SoCalFozz]

('14-'18) - 2017 - Exhaust Leak - Manifold...

I started noticing exhaust fumes in the cabin while idling at a stop. I did some research and found that several Outbacks have had an issue with their exhaust manifold bellows cracking. There was even a Technical Service Bulletin stating that the exhaust manifold may have been installed under...

www.subaruforester.org

More info in this thread.

 

[mike_n]

If you have ever owned a toyota before, you'll realize as I quickly did, subarus are not toyotas. subarus break down and are flawed in many aspects - just get a toyota as I will once my subaru corp. extended warranty runs out. subaru cars are similar to the now defunk Yugos (you may not remember those which could have been sold on Costco's floor room).

Sorry but this statement is just ludicrous.

 

[MTforester17]

I thank you for the information,
and learned a lot here about asking a simple question in a forum, made up mostly of men.

It sounds to me like you are angry and desired validation of your anger more than actual information.

 

[commonme]

If the baffles were burnt out, that is not a usual thing. That suggests excess corrosion inside the exhaust system. Are you using ethanol fuel?

Here in the mid-west, about all you can buy since the late '70's has been gasohol (now called E-10). They even made leaded with 10% ethanol for a while. The last 20 years or so non-ethanol premium grades have been more available. Exhaust system issues related to ethanol are non-existent.

 

[Black21Limited]

Since it is not covered, possibly the dealership put a crap (non Subaru) part on for the fix to save themselves some of the costs of replacing it. Probably figured it would last long enough to not be their problem anymore.

Not all dealers are shady, but not all are shining examples either.

 

[Black21Limited]

FWIW, my wife's 2017 Forester's muffler/exhaust system is just fine, with sitting for the most part since August of 2016. It has a whopping 8000 miles on it. If anything is tough on an exhaust system, that would be it. If it had the mild steel exhausts they used in the 1970's, the whole thing would be a rust stain on the ground. So being exposed to the humidity of Ohio for the last 5 years and 9 months, and the occasional short drive, it's doing pretty well.

Only the exhaust from the catalytic converter forward will be covered under federal warranty requirements. Anything after the converter has zero bearing on emissions. It could fall off after the converter, and as far as EPA is concerned it's legal.

It doesn't mean it's safe to drive with an exhaust that dumps under the car, but as far as @blueyeqq 's issue, unless there is a hole in or before the muffler, there is no risk of CO fumes entering the car.

It's just simply annoying.