TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU TRIBECA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A ROAD COVERED WITH SNOW AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF STEAM EXPELLED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEAM MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS, RESTART AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION WITH CAUTION. UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION AND INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD HE OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXHIBITED MASSIVE SNOW,THE BELTS AND RUBBER HOSES WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WINTER MONTHS; YET, THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW DUE TO THE SNOW ENTERING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,066. UPDATED 05/11/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/11/09.*JB
2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
#1 THE VIN # IS CORRECT. #2 THE BRAKE TRAVEL IS TO EXCESSIVE FOR PROPER RESPONSE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 15000 MILES. LITHER SUBURU IN WHITE BEAR LAKE MN WAS REQUESTED TO CHECK THIS OUT FOR ANOTHER SERVICE MAINTENANCE. THEY WOULD NOT CHECK IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL SUCH AS THE 2011 LEGACY MODEL. SINCE MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE SHE IS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE AS TO THE DISTANCE THE FOOT PEDAL SHOULD TRAVEL. I HAVE SPENT YEARS IN AUTOMOTIVE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT AS A SERVICE ENGINEER SO I FEEL QUALIFIED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFICIENCY. I HAD ANOTHER ENGINEER DRIVE IT TO VERIFY MY CONCLUSION. *TR