Valve spring issues - Not in recall

[jeconti]

Hey all,

I have a 2013 BRZ that has a VIN and production date outside of the recall, but I just experienced the valve spring failure. It is currently in my local mechanics shop with no compression in cylinder 4, stalling, dead. Can't drive, just loud angry noises if I try to start it.

My local dealerships have told me there is nothing they can do, my car is not part of the recall, it doesn't have the valve spring issue, etc. My car was produced in 6/13, and they claim the issue starts with cars in 7/13. Ridiculous.

Anyone have any experience with this, a contact who can help me? Advice? Feel like I am fighting an uphill battle and getting stonewalled on every corner.

[x808drifter]

Contact Subaru Corporate.

[jeconti]

Originally Posted by x808drifter

Contact Subaru Corporate.

Any idea how they may help? Would they extend the coverage of the recall, or just offer a discount on the work?

[x808drifter]

Who knows.
Car is off the supposed coverage area by a single month.
I'd call that a reason to suspect you may have also had the bad springs.

You only really have 2 choices.
Make a big stink about it and try to get it fixed by Subaru.
Or suck it up and pay out of pocket.

How far you go with option 1 is up to you.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by jeconti

My car was produced in 6/13, and they claim the issue starts with cars in 7/13. Ridiculous.

That is incorrect. The cars affected were built from 12/9/2011 - 7/2/2013.

You can check out all the documentation here.

Also, use your VIN and check to see if it was part of the recall.

[jeconti]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

That is incorrect. The cars affected were built from 12/9/2011 - 7/2/2013.

You can check out all the documentation here.

Also, use your VIN and check to see if it was part of the recall.

Thank you so much for that! The dealership told me the 7/13 production start date, so this is a huge help for my case. Where did you find this?!

My VIN in the VIN check tool shows not part of this recall. My VIN is JF1ZCAC16D1611651. Even the link you provided does not show my car as having an associated recall. The only recall it showed and I repaired was the fuel pump chirp.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by jeconti

Thank you so much for that! The dealership told me the 7/13 production start date, so this is a huge help for my case. Where did you find this?!

My VIN in the VIN check tool shows not part of this recall. My VIN is JF1ZCAC16D1611651. Even the link you provided does not show my car as having an associated recall. The only recall it showed and I repaired was the fuel pump chirp.

At the NHTSA.GOV site. There are links in my message above directly to the information.

If you bought the car used, it's possible the recall was already performed on it if it was eligible. The site I sent only shows incomplete recalls. My car no longer shows when I check it because I had the recall completed.

[Tcoat]

Have they actually pulled it apart and checked to see if it is a spring? The compression test could mean a few things not just a spring.
If it did have the recall done it may have spun a bearing.
If it isn't covered by recall then the warranty is well over.
You will need to talk to Subaru to determine if the recall was done for sure.

[jeconti]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Have they actually pulled it apart and checked to see if it is a spring? The compression test could mean a few things not just a spring.
If it did have the recall done it may have spun a bearing.
If it isn't covered by recall then the warranty is well over.
You will need to talk to Subaru to determine if the recall was done for sure.

I am the first and sole owner, bought it brand new from a lot with 0 miles on 8/1/2013. It has not had the recall done. Waiting the review and inspection from the dealership I had it towed to.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by jeconti

I am the first and sole owner, bought it brand new from a lot with 0 miles on 8/1/2013. It has not had the recall done. Waiting the review and inspection from the dealership I had it towed to.

If you are certain it hasn't had the recall done (which obviously you would be) and it doesn't show as effected by it, even if it is the Valve spring, you may be out of luck.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by jeconti

I am the first and sole owner, bought it brand new from a lot with 0 miles on 8/1/2013. It has not had the recall done. Waiting the review and inspection from the dealership I had it towed to.

Ahhhh that clears that up.
If it is a spring then let them know. Probably will do you no good but worth a shot.
If it isn't a spring well, you are on your own. It is a 7 year old car and they will not goodwill repair it.