Strange Sound in a brand new Subaru

emanon256
Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:15:50 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

We have an entry model 2010 Subaru Outback with the CVT transmission. It?s still under the manufacturer?s warrantee. We noticed soon after buying it, that every time we turn it on and start driving it, there is a strange clunking sound that comes from the rear of the vehicle. It sounds like we are running over a small tree branch and crushing it, but there is no branch, stick, twig, anything. We have even taken it to empty parking lots to ensure that it?s not something near our house. Every time, after starting it and driving, we get the sound. There is no movement or feeling, just the sound only.

We took it to the dealer, the mechanic drove around with us, and said he heard the sound and was concerned. He said there was a recall on some of the earlier 2010 Outbacks due to some problem with the transmission case, but that our vehicle was built after the recall issue was resolved.

After having our car looked at for almost 2 full days, the service manager called us back, and told us that nothing was wrong. We asked about the sound, and he said it?s just the ABS system doing a self diagnosis and that is why we only hear it after we turn the car on and start driving. He said the vehicle has to be in motion to do the diagnosis, and so it waits until we start driving. He said most people can?t hear it.

Is this answer a load of BS? Or could this be the truth?

22 posts - 15 participants