it was 90 bucks forget about.
Car Misdiagnosed - Under Warranty but Didn't...
Hello!
My 09 Subaru Outback started getting a check engine light. It has 40,000 miles.
I took it to AutoZone to see what the code meant and they told me it was throwing a catalytic converter code.
I took it to a Subaru dealer service shop and they said I'd need to pay a diagnostic fee of $89.95 and it would take an hour to fix. After an hour my car didn't move so I followed up. They then called me within 10 minutes and told me they found the problem.
They said it was a broken evap hose at vapor recovery system. They said the hose was split.
I drove away and within hours the Check Engine light came back on.
So I went back and they said it's now indicating a code of the catalytic converter needing to be replaced and it would be covered under warranty.
I was told they could not refund the diagnostic fee since they fixed something that was broken and was not under warranty. Well since the light came back on after they reset the check engine indicator they misdiagnosed the problem that I took it in for.
So if they would have found the problem to begin with then I would not have been charged a diag fee.
Should I forget about it or challenge them / call BBB and Subaru?
I am going back to their shop once the part arrives.
Thanks so much.
My 09 Subaru Outback started getting a check engine light. It has 40,000 miles.
I took it to AutoZone to see what the code meant and they told me it was throwing a catalytic converter code.
I took it to a Subaru dealer service shop and they said I'd need to pay a diagnostic fee of $89.95 and it would take an hour to fix. After an hour my car didn't move so I followed up. They then called me within 10 minutes and told me they found the problem.
They said it was a broken evap hose at vapor recovery system. They said the hose was split.
I drove away and within hours the Check Engine light came back on.
So I went back and they said it's now indicating a code of the catalytic converter needing to be replaced and it would be covered under warranty.
I was told they could not refund the diagnostic fee since they fixed something that was broken and was not under warranty. Well since the light came back on after they reset the check engine indicator they misdiagnosed the problem that I took it in for.
So if they would have found the problem to begin with then I would not have been charged a diag fee.
Should I forget about it or challenge them / call BBB and Subaru?
I am going back to their shop once the part arrives.
Thanks so much.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Might want to talk to the service manager about it, see if you can split the difference with something like a free oil change...
fyi both of those should be covered as an emissions system.............
Personally I'd contact Subaru Customer Relations and open a file.
Explain the situation as you have here. Ask them to explain what is covered under emissions warranty. They may press for a goodwill gesture from the dealer. I believe anything related to emissions is covered under the standard warranty and some parts even longer, diagnostic charges should be included in any warranty work.
When you took it to AutoZone they most likely cleared the code. Was your engine light was off? What I don't know is, are codes that have been cleared still stored or are they gone until the problem causes another code?
If the code was cleared and unable to be reread, than the diagnostic fee might be justifiable in my opinion but still should be covered under emissions warranty not at your expense.
Interesting to hear what other members think. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Explain the situation as you have here. Ask them to explain what is covered under emissions warranty. They may press for a goodwill gesture from the dealer. I believe anything related to emissions is covered under the standard warranty and some parts even longer, diagnostic charges should be included in any warranty work.
When you took it to AutoZone they most likely cleared the code. Was your engine light was off? What I don't know is, are codes that have been cleared still stored or are they gone until the problem causes another code?
If the code was cleared and unable to be reread, than the diagnostic fee might be justifiable in my opinion but still should be covered under emissions warranty not at your expense.
Interesting to hear what other members think. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Wow! All of what you identified should be covered under warranty. Call your Subie rep. Sure it is $90.00, but that will buy you two movie tickets and popcorn these days! :icon_biggrin:
If the dealer's computer analysis led to a warranted repair, pretty sure the diagnostic fee should be included. Of course it's gravy for the dealer to say that it isn't. Yes, I would make a stink about it. BTW, it's not just 90 bucks for you...it's 90 "after tax" dollars for you. So it's really costing you about, say, $120. Divide that by what you make per hour, and that's how many hours you worked for the service manager. Go over his head. They don't like negative feedback from SOA. Forget the BBB, they can't help you. Good luck, go down swinging,
Steve
09 2.5X AT
Steve
09 2.5X AT
The first "repair" was bogus. There was no broken hose in your evap system. If there had been, it would have set a DTC for the evap system, and not the converter.
Even if the hose had been broken, it should have been covered unless they could prove it was caused by accidental damage.
They told you it would take an hour to fix, and then "fixed" the car in 10 minutes? Hmmmm, why the hour charge?
Next time, don't go to Autozone. When they clear the DTC, it hurts the diagnosis, because freeze frame data also gets erased.
Even if the hose had been broken, it should have been covered unless they could prove it was caused by accidental damage.
They told you it would take an hour to fix, and then "fixed" the car in 10 minutes? Hmmmm, why the hour charge?
Next time, don't go to Autozone. When they clear the DTC, it hurts the diagnosis, because freeze frame data also gets erased.
most autozone and advance code readings i have obtained were accompanied by a refusal of the employee to reset the computer and clear the codes. a couple of times an employee allowed me to push the button to clear the code but he would not do it himself. store policy i was told.
Good to know, thanksmost autozone and advance code readings i have obtained were accompanied by a refusal of the employee to reset the computer and clear the codes. a couple of times an employee allowed me to push the button to clear the code but he would not do it himself. store policy i was told.
This..............fyi both of those should be covered as an emissions system.............
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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