Catalytic converter warranty denial by Subaru. 100% Stock engine!

[thill]

You guys need to lawyer up and go after them. It is on them to prove you abused the car and from everything I have read, it seems like you have a good case.

[xjohnx]

From the EPA: http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf

What Do I Do If the Manufacturer Will Not Honor What I Believe to Be a Valid Emissions Warranty Claim?

If you believe the manufacturer has not honored a valid claim and your vehicle has not exceeded the time and mileage limitations, you should contact an authorized warranty representative and follow the procedures outlined in your owner’s manual or warranty booklet. If the authorized dealer denies your warranty claim, contact the manufacturer’s regional or zone office for further assistance. If you are still not satisfied, follow the appeals procedure outlined in your manual or warranty booklet.

Of course, you are entitled to pursue any independent legal actions you consider appropriate to obtain coverage under the emissions warranties. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is authorized to investigate the failure of manufacturers to comply with the terms of these warranties. If you have followed the manufacturer’s procedures (including those for appeals) for making a warranty claim as set out in your owner’s manual or warranty booklet, have received a written denial and you are not satisfied with the manufacturer’s determination, you may submit a letter to EPA at the following address. It should provide details of the situation including the basis for the claim, a copy of the written denial, copies of your letters to the manufacturers, and copies of any receipts for emission control parts and repairs you have paid for:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Light-Duty Vehicle Group
Attn: Warranty Complaints
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Other sources of assistance may be your local or State consumer protection agency or office of the Attorney General.

maybe a phone call from the EPA will get them in line.

then again, the same document has this disclaimer, which I suspect is Subaru's reasoning for changing their reasoning from "racing" to "abuse"

What Reasons Can the Manufacturer Use to Deny a Warranty Claim?
If your vehicle is within the age and mileage limits for the applicable emissions warranty, the
manufacturer can only deny coverage if evidence shows that you have failed to properly maintain
and use your vehicle, causing the part or emission test failure. Some examples of misuse and
malmaintenance include the following:
• vehicle abuse such as off-road driving or overloading; or
• tampering with emission control parts or systems, including removal or intentional damage
of such parts or systems; or
• improper maintenance, including failure to follow maintenance schedules and instructions
specified by manufacturer, or use of replacement parts which are not equivalent to the
originally installed parts.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by JesseE

Sorry I think I've seen your thread and I don't exactly remember, but did your car ever have a tune or anything done to it at all even way before any of these problems happened?

I run a shop in phoenix, and we installs tons of cats on cars, and I have seen that type of damage to cats really from only one thing. When excess fuel enters the exhaust (for whatever reason) it can explode as it hits the glowing hot substrate of the cat which is what looks like happened to your cat.

It is possible that maybe the cat was bad from the factory and eventually rattled enough that it broke. My guess if you did race the car a lot, its probably what did the cat in.

I don't agree with them not covering the cat because there is no way they can prove it went bad because of racing. But to be honest, that truly is most likely why the cat went bad, but like I said, impossible to verify it.

Good Luck warranty claims are a big hassle through any car company.

The engine has never been modified in any way, including the ECU.

We've allowed, and even ASKED them to investigate, but they will not do so.

[Clipdat]

Before the DI failure, was there any sign that the primary CAT had failed? Like strange sounds, rattling, backfires?

Just attempting to figure out if there's any signs other owners can look for to determine if theirs has also failed.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Before the DI failure, was there any sign that the primary CAT had failed? Like strange sounds, rattling, backfires?

Just attempting to figure out if there's any signs other owners can look for to determine if theirs has also failed.

We weren't even aware of the failure until a teardown was done at the dealership.

There are no sensors for the secondary cat... it may have been damaged for a while.

[Clipdat]

Sorry my mistake, I thought it was the primary cat inside the manifold that had failed, not the secondary cat.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Sorry my mistake, I thought it was the primary cat inside the manifold that had failed, not the secondary cat.

They both failed to different degrees... so you're technically correct

[Clipdat]

Interesting, thanks for the clarification.

Disclaimer, pure speculation ahead: Maybe it's something to do with these high compression motors and the cam overlap timing/high idle used when cold starting the vehicle.

I know when I had my headerback exhaust on (no secondary cat), on cold starts the exhaust gas would shoot out forcefully a good 6 feet behind the car. Never seen such forceful exhaust blast from a car like that before.

[Ozzman]

Originally Posted by Marchy

hmm, i wonder if the extra heat generated from running lean for so long sped up the cat's failure.

There is no wondering necessary, You can damn near guarantee it. That cat got way too hot.

[Diode Dynamics]

Rather than going through a costly and timely legal situation, why not just purchase an aftermarket exhaust? I understand the principle, but the reality is that winning this battle over Subaru would be exceptionally challenging as they have a full legal department to handle any and all of these situations.

Be like me and have no cats at all lol!

Nick C.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by Diode Dynamics

Rather than going through a costly and timely legal situation, why not just purchase an aftermarket exhaust? I understand the principle, but the reality is that winning this battle over Subaru would be exceptionally challenging as they have a full legal department to handle any and all of these situations.

Be like me and have no cats at all lol!

Nick C.

because he also has a blown motor due to this issue.

[CounterSpace Garage]

Originally Posted by Diode Dynamics

Rather than going through a costly and timely legal situation, why not just purchase an aftermarket exhaust? I understand the principle, but the reality is that winning this battle over Subaru would be exceptionally challenging as they have a full legal department to handle any and all of these situations.

Be like me and have no cats at all lol!

Nick C.

Catalytic converters for CA use must be CARB approved, hence why 49 state catalytic converters (same material and construction as CA versions) are cheaper.

[CSG Mike]

Specifically, unless the cat has approved by CARB, it is not legal.

California™

[Diode Dynamics]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Specifically, unless the cat has approved by CARB, it is not legal.

California™

Ahh, forgot about the California part...my car is registered in KS...no emissions here lol

Buying a whole new engine would still be cheaper than legal fees, that really sucks though. Sorry OP

Nick C.