I've have multiple visits with this service department for my 2 Subarus. My wife and I have owned 6 Subarus in our lives: A 1980 hatch back, 2002 WRX, 2003 Forrester, 2005 Forrester, 2007 Legacy, 2010 WRX.
My wife had a Forrester that needed scheduled maintenance. While we think Sommer's Subaru is far superior on knowledge and customer service, we live on the South side of Milwaukee, so Subaru City is much more convenient. How difficult can routine maintenance be? Well, when doing the radiator flush, the technician either didn't properly bleed the air out of the radiator or didn't properly fill it. It overheated (who knows how long my wife drove with it overheating). We took it back and they apologized. I asked how we can be sure that no damage was done, they didn't have an answer. Within weeks, the forrester started to burn and leak oil. We felt like we could do nothing about it; If we bring it back and complain, they could deny it, and we were worried about the car's resale value if there was this note on its record. In a few months, we sold the car because we could no longer trust it. We didn't feel we could buy another Subaru because of the lack of a good service department nearby.
When I leased my WRX (from Sommer's), I purchased the Subaru maintenance plan, which effectively pre-pays for the scheduled maintenance. I've had this car in to Subaru City 2 other times for service on the maintenance plan, so it should be in the computer (not to mention it is a Subaru program). I brought the WRX in for a standard 15000 mile service to Subaru City. When scheduling the appointment, I told the person about the program. When dropping off the car (overnight drop off), I wrote on the slip that it was under the program. When I picked up the car, the cashier knew nothing about the program and service was closed. Even though I had the plan paperwork, she made me pay and said she was working the next morning and she'd take care of it, and have them call me and reverse the charge. I didn't receive a call so I called the next afternoon. Service was again closed. If I don't hear from them Monday, I will dispute the charge.
Long story short... I already don't buy vehicles from Subaru City due to their service department. Now I feel I have to drive 20 miles out of my way for even the simplest service. This will be the last Subaru that I own or lease. It's not worth the bother.
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