Subaru, How Could You?

I loved my Subaru. We were together for 12 beautiful years and when it was time to say good bye, she took a little piece of my heart with her.

Since I have had a long fulfilling relationship with Subaru, I was thrilled for my sister Jen Wilson and her husband Terrence when they purchased their Forester and joined the team. Once you fall in love with one, it changes you. Yes it does. I think its something to do with the all wheel drive. I'm not going to review the mechanical reasons why I love Subaru cars but rather the emotional reasons, because that is what I do. I loved my Impreza and her style, her pep, her dependability. I always knew that little ticking engine would start for me. She never let me down. Never.

Okay, what am I getting at? This is not just a reminiscence of my good ole Subaru days. I am writing because I am incensed by a situation that my sister is facing and the reaction of the company of Subaru.

Jen gets the oil changed in that car so regularly she has become the center of many jokes in the family and even at the mechanic where she goes. "Its a Subaru" we tell her, "you don't have to baby it so much". But without fail she keeps the maintenance up perfectly. And then she received a recall notice from the dealership (Anchor Subaru in North Smithfield, RI) where she purchased the car two years ago. So being the good little car owner she is, she brought the Forester in and while it was there the dealership offered to treat her to a free oil change, since they offered that service when she purchased the car but she always took it to Steve and Rick, our local mechanic (who happens to be a licensed Subaru Master Mechanic, which sounds like a super-hero but probably not one who wears a cape because capes are dangerous, as well all know) So Jen agrees to the free oil change purely out of convenience........................

AND THEN?????

THREE days later, whilst driving to get T at work (because they own only the one car, those little tree huggers) all manner of lights began flashing on the dashboard. Jen made her way off the clogged highway and was able to roll off to the side of the road while the Forester took its last hiccup of a choked breath and went silent. Now Jen was stranded, T needed to be picked up from work and their one totally reliable car was now unconscious on the side of the road.

After being towed to the dealership that had just serviced it three days ago..the cause of the problem? "The engine had no lubrication so the engine seized. You need a new engine" is exactly what Jen was told.

I repeat for emphasis:

"The engine had no lubrication so the engine seized. You need a new engine"

Greatly upset and surprised, Jen responded "You did the oil change three days ago!"

What was the retort? "Well, did you keep up the maintenance? We need to see proof that you were getting the oil changed on a regular basis"

Proof was provided the very next day but still Anchor Subaru was no explanation or response to repeated phone calls.

It has been a week and both the local dealership and representatives from the company, have refused respond on a plan of action. They have questioned our mechanic's abilities to care for the Forester and refused to accept responsibility for destroying the engine in Jen's car. How hard is it to remember that once you drain oil, oil must be replaced? There was no lubrication because none was put into the car after the oil was drained! They have not offered or agreed to lend a loaner car to Jen and T and the auto insurance will only provide a loaner in cases of accidental damage. But this is a case of accidental damage! Unless Anchor Subaru damaged the car on purpose! They refuse to replace the engine, they are holding the car at the dealership and have effectively stranded my sister and her husband, without any means of transportation. And a week has gone by.

So, I ask you, dear faithful readers, how do you feel about the way Anchor Subaru has dealt with this? I know some of you personally. Whether we are close personal friends or not,  I am humbled by the mere fact you are reading my blog. I am reaching out to you now. Please take a moment to comment on this entry. I will compile your remarks and forward them to the Anchor Subaru dealership that is handling (or I should say, refusing to handle) this ridiculous situation for Jen and T.

Or if you are bold and daring, feel free to send Subaru an email about how you feel as well.

http://www.anchorsubaru.com/contact-form.htm

Together we could shout out and create some change in the way big companies treat the average hard working consumer. Let's tell them that we won't tolerate this kind of treatment. We are not helpless. We have a voice. What could be more powerful than enough people saying "No, this is not fair, change it"?

And please feel free to forward this blog to anyone you know. Let's get the word out!

If you break something, Anchor Subaru, just fix it! How hard is that to understand?

Thank you for reading!