I've got 3 Issues going on with my FRS that's I've noticed so far. I'm at about 1120 miles on the odo. Auto Transmission
1: On a cold start up the Engine will fire up smoothly and idle at about 1500 RPM but within the first minute the RPM drop dramatically to 1000 RPM. It sounds like something is losing pressure. Listen for yourself...
2: While driving I'm getting a rattling sound coming from the engine at about 2100-2400 RPM. If i hold it at that RPM it almost sounds like something is grinding! Obviously I'm avoiding doing so any further. It's really hard to hear in the video, but I assure you the sound is there and it isn't a nice sound.
3: After about an hour 1/2 driving the car (I commute to work) the engine will get this loud Cricket-like noise either while driving or at idle. So far I've had 2 people comment on the engine chirping. It's both annoying and embarrassing for a brand new car to sound like this. And it Definitely didn't sound like this when I bought the car, otherwise I wouldn't have purchased it. Something is malfunctioning!
Since I'm going tomorrow to get the Lowjack finally installed on the car I called today and spoke with my dealership about the issues with the car. My appointment was set for 12 noon. They said they normally don't do diagnostics but since I'm a new buyer they would take a look at it. That phone call took place around 3pm.
I then got a call an hour later from a woman at the dealership asking me if I could bring the car in first thing in the morning. The Chief Engineer at the dealer would like to drive the car. Sure no problem, I'll bring the car in at 8am sharp! I didn't speak with the Chief, but the woman I spoke to basically implied that they "might" need to keep the car and that they would be supplying me with a rental car in the mean time.
So I'm starting to get a little scared at this point. She sounded like she new more than she was saying. That phone car took place around 4pm
This evening (same day as previous calls) at approximately 8:30pm I received a call from Toyota Headquarters regarding the claim I made with my dealer. Unfortunately our call got disconnected before I could let them know anything. Haven't received a call back yet, but if I'm getting a call directly from Headquarters this can't be good.
I Hope Toyota & Subaru will take care of this situation for anyone who is experiencing any of these issues. CONTACT YOUR DEALERSHIPS IMMEDIATELY. Strength in numbers! Let them know what's going on!