Faults:

Clutch shudder occured inside 36,000. Failed heater blower occured at 75,000. Dogs pulled stitching in the back seat at 45,000 but it was resewn easily by a professional.

General Comments:

Two comments: 1) Does anyone know where to find a service manual that includes clutch replacement? I am about to do mine myself and would like a few pointers. 2) I would like to hear from others having clutch shudder issues that have been resolved. Having sold auto parts and turned wrenches for some time in the past, I know shudder is either caused by a warped flywheel (not likely on a new car) or oily substance on the clutch disk. There are four places oil can come from: a failed clutch slave cylinder seeping in, a failed rear main engine seal, a failed oil pan gasket, and a failed front transmission seal. One other person noted no problems after replacing the clutch and front transmission seal. I tend to suspect it is the transmission seal that is the culprit in most cases mentioned in this forum, as it is frequently overlooked and not addressed as part of routine clutch replacements. Repetitive warranty claims for clutch shudder are likely the result of poorly trained mechanics changing clutch parts and not changing the transmission seal additionally.

Faults:

I had chattering with the clutch. They replaced it and the problem continued. There was a part change and they replaced it again and it has been just fine.

Wind noise on driver's side door. They ordered a new seal, but I don't have it yet.

General Comments:

This car is wonderful in bad weather. I have driven though snow and rain storms and the traction is fabulous. It drives over gravel very comfortably. I just love the ride and the way it handles. It just hugs the road. I intend to buy a new one in 2005 or 2006 and sell this one to my mother.

Faults:

First off, I'm a marine engineer and know well my way around an engine and a vehicle.

Subaru's are absolutely horrible:

Car has pulled harshly to the right since 4000 miles; has been in 16 times to be fixed, now the warranty's out and it still pulls. Many parts replaced: Wheels, tires, rack and pinion, steering box, suspension parts, you name it.

Windows leak air all over the place.

Transmission is excessivly rough and will sometimes refuse to shift.

Tires wear more on the inside all the way around due to too much weight on outside of the wheel.

Electrical problems.

Exhaust heat shields love to rattle.

Not great gas mileage for a 4-cylinder.

Rear Sliding sunroof had burnt out motor at 11000 miles.

Been to 6 different dealers; they are all very slow and relatively unknowledgable about vehicles.

Vehicle shakes some at low speeds even with new rotors, wheels, freshly balanced tires.

Rotors have warped twice.

Area above drive shaft accumulates a lot of snow and ice and causes some strange problems with the drive shaft when going down the highway.

All subaru exhaust systems are mounted somewhat cocked sideways as I have seen from the vehicles on the lot.

Inside paneling tends to fall off if you put what I consider to be relatively low levels of bass to it.

Drivers side seat heater quit working at 6000 miles.

Firestone wilderness and Bridgestone Potenzas are terrible. They get a lot of flats, though they don't hydroplane much. THE FACT THAT THEY DO A FULL FRONT TO BACK SLIDE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO BEING WAY TOO WIDE FOR THIS VEHICLE IS TERRIBLE.

The 60/40 all wheel drive set up causes the front wheels to spin too much and reduce drivability in the snow.

I'm sure theres more, but I can't even begin to remember it all.

General Comments:

Don't bother calling Subaru of America they are very disturbing and unhelpful. Or if you want you can call and tell them that you are having similar problems as me and get some recalls started.