My Ascent started making a ticking noise that I assumed was valve or injector related. I took it into the dealer who found a crack in the exhaust manifold. Thankfully I bought the extended 100,000 warranty however it has been nearly three weeks and the local dealer can’t find the part. They claimed to have escalated the matter, but as of today they still have no idea on the status of part. Two questions… has anyone else had the manifold crack? And what has been your experience getting replacement parts? We all know the supply chains were terrible last year but I would have hoped things had improved by now???? I am contemplating replacing this Ascent next year but given the poor service at my local dealership, I am also considering changing brands.
2019 with 80,000 miles needs exhaust manifold? Dealer can’t get the part?
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why not contact SOA directly and open up a case. Ask them to personally find the part and give you a date it will arrive. The information you provided in the post is lacking details regarding whether the dealership has done their due diligence. If they have gone through all the channels to get the part and it can not be found then it is not their fault. I am not sure why you think they are providing poor service (unless there are other issues).
Depending on the location and size of the leak, I might be concerned about fumes entering the cabin. Have that properly evaluated. If it is leaking in, I would have Subaru provide a loaner until they get the part and have it repaired. I would personally be all over Subaru, not the dealer. If necessary I would escalate it until they provide a date. Remind them you purchased the gold plus and expect excellent service even if they can not get the part due to extenuating circumstances.
Depending on the location and size of the leak, I might be concerned about fumes entering the cabin. Have that properly evaluated. If it is leaking in, I would have Subaru provide a loaner until they get the part and have it repaired. I would personally be all over Subaru, not the dealer. If necessary I would escalate it until they provide a date. Remind them you purchased the gold plus and expect excellent service even if they can not get the part due to extenuating circumstances.
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Thats unfortunte and a bit concerning. What will availibility be like in several years when a few more of us will need parts? I haven't needed any engine parts yet but have been able to find every OEM acessory and expendable part at either SPO, Brunswick or one of the many dealers that sell online. I upset a Nissan dealer once because i went and found an item they said they could not get. I think it's likely that someone has a manifold available, finding someone that has ever replaced an Ascent manifold may be tough.
I hope you get this sqaured away as soon as possible.
I had an exhaust manifold crack on my 2012 Outback. It smelled in the cabin unless I put the HVAC on recirculate. My kid was a toddler at the time and rode with me every day so I had to act fast. Took it to a local shop that replaced it with the OEM part for $1100 all in the same day while I was at work. I tried to get SOA to reimburse under the emissions warranty, but no dice. They would have needed to do the diagnosis themselves. I simply didn't have time for that.
That incident always left a sour taste in my mouth but I bought an Ascent anyway, which has been good so far at 50k miles. If my manifold cracks I'm going to lose it.
I had an exhaust manifold crack on my 2012 Outback. It smelled in the cabin unless I put the HVAC on recirculate. My kid was a toddler at the time and rode with me every day so I had to act fast. Took it to a local shop that replaced it with the OEM part for $1100 all in the same day while I was at work. I tried to get SOA to reimburse under the emissions warranty, but no dice. They would have needed to do the diagnosis themselves. I simply didn't have time for that.
That incident always left a sour taste in my mouth but I bought an Ascent anyway, which has been good so far at 50k miles. If my manifold cracks I'm going to lose it.
Thank you for the recommendation. Perhaps I will try SOA. My displeasure with the dealer is the fact that I have called them multiple times every week for a status update. The advisor is never there and has only returned my phone call once out of seven attempts. This is shockingly poor customer service.
I agree. If they provide customer satisfaction surveys, you might let the service manager know. If they do not, you might simply email the manager noting your displeasure.
It is a bad time to get parts, when my car got damaged recently I waited 2 months as the parts were not available. The body shop tried and could not get the part any where in the country. I tried too and had the same experience.
As suggested may be SOA can help in getting the part as it is hazardous driving with the fumes.
I also think it is not only Subaru but it is for all brands at this time as it is very difficult to get parts. I saw at the body shop the other car owners were also frustrated with the current supply chains and shortage of chips. In your case at least you do not need a part with the chip.
Best of luck and I hope the part arrives soon as it is very frustrating.
As suggested may be SOA can help in getting the part as it is hazardous driving with the fumes.
I also think it is not only Subaru but it is for all brands at this time as it is very difficult to get parts. I saw at the body shop the other car owners were also frustrated with the current supply chains and shortage of chips. In your case at least you do not need a part with the chip.
Best of luck and I hope the part arrives soon as it is very frustrating.
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Likely the opposite - I doubt they go through many at all after production and therefore keep very few in stock. Add to it that our engines are completely built in Japan then shipped as an installable unit to Indiana and that makes things tougher too. Just my guess
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Where is the crack? I wonder if it’s possible to have it repaired (welded) by an exhaust shop without removal?
As a temp fix until the full replacement can be done
I think this would be the best interim choice.
2019 Subaru Ascent Limited 2010 Subaru Legacy GT limited
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The design of the manifold necessitates removal to weld there is too great a risk of fire to do it on the vehicle. I am shocked they can't get a used part in the mean time. I don't know your situation exactly here but I would have no issue putting miles on a loaner for whatever time it takes them to get the part and install it. If you aren't offered a loaner then I wouldn't hesitate to contact Subaru directly.
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Hi, are you still waiting on the parts?
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Everything has been on backorder since COVID, it's no surprise. Manufacturers can't even get vehicles built, never mind supply replacement parts. If they can't fix your vehicle, you may be eligible to have Subaru take it back as a repurchase depending on your state. The only reason they have zero exhaust manifolds in their parts depots is because they're going through them due to failures, not because they didn't have the foresight to release the service part.
I work in insurance, and I can tell you, parts availability is bad all over right now. There’s people waiting on things like headlights with their vehicle in the shop for 3-4 months, all while in a rental (unless there are a policy holder, then it’s the max rental limit on your policy which is 30-35 days). So try to understand that this isn’t the shops fault. EVERYONE is having this issue, I have customers with extremely minor parts needed and still waiting for months. I had a VW that needed a front bumper, took just over 4 months for the bumper to come in.
Either way, the service advisor not calling you back after 7 attempts is bad service
Either way, the service advisor not calling you back after 7 attempts is bad service
Just a follow up. It took about five weeks to get the manifold/gasket. Unfortunately, after it was replaced I had to return to the dealer TWICE MORE because they couldn't seem to get it tight enough (or the recommended torque spec despite heat cycling simply wasn't enough). It seems to be working now, but this one issue took four trips to the dealer AND at least ten phone calls while I waiting and begged them to chase the part.)
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A mechanic just recently told me mine was cracked I've got close to 70k miles. I'm just going to be starting the process. Thank goodness we also have the extended coverage.
Make sure that they install the exhaust manifold correctly. I had to bring my Ascent back THREE TIMES because the manifold started to leak again. I don't know if this was at the engine connection (likely given the "ticking") or the turbo manifold. I later learned that they ended up drilling out one of the turbo to exhaust manifold studs in order to put a through bolt/nut on for more clamping force. I had no idea they did this until I took it to another dealer and they said they would not touch it because it was not repaired correctly! Arghhh! I went back to the original dealer and they appear to have everything sealed up (for now). My extended warranty ends in 5000 miles, so I am VERY nervous about any future issue. I guess it is time to sell Susie the Subie....
I forgot that I asked the service manager to show me the crack. I think the heat shield is hiding it a bit, but it is clearly due to poor weld on the tube to flange joint.... See attached picture.
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