I Have An 04 Wrx Sti With 14k On It. Car Is At Dealership And Taken Apart...no Abuse Found On Tranny Or Axles(after Dis-assembled)...3rd Gear Is Totally Gone And Needs To Be Replaced...subie Wont Cover It Due To The Fact That Is Is Not A "factory Defect"...said Problem Was Caused By An "outside" Source (mods Done To Car) Which I Do Have...(minor Ones). Anyone Have A Similar Problem??? Trying To Fight This One...
Any Input Would Be Greatly Appreciated!!!!!!!!

 

first off...you might want to put this in the correct forum next time (the warranty forum)

second...just ask around and find out what dealership near you is the most mod friendly and wont go "oh...an AM up-pipe...thats what blew the tranny"

 

I had my 04 STI w/ 22k miles fixed at the dealer (Carlsen Subaru, Redwood City, CA) all under warranty. The tranny was disassembled and inspected. Findings were reported back to the District Manager of SOA. I believe they look for signs of abuse. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what exactly they look for. In anycase, I guess I did not have any as 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gears were replaced all under warranty. Mind you my car is bone stock but the service manager said some mods (for example exhuast, suspension, brakes, etc.) would not have affected the warranty decision.

In your case, ask them for specifics as to why warranty is being denied. Do you have extensive power mods? IMO the STI tranny may have a design flaw as there are numerous members reporting tranny problems. Good luck getting your car sorted out.

 

I'd actually ask them why it is being denied too. If you have some basic power mods ask them something like "is the tranny really that weak that it cant support a little bit more power?" Subaru likes to get credit for offering a warranty but then tries to deny it whenever possible (kinda like you asking it your gf want anything from the kitchen, but youre realy too lazy to actually get anything extra)