Automotive, Subaru Forester - Mitchell Subaru, Canton CT situation with rust on vehicle

Complaints.com received the following e-message on September 8, 2001:

From:

RE: 1998 purchase of a new Suburu Forester from Mitchell Subaru in Canton CT

Hello,

Please concider this for your website. Thank You,

Mark P. Smith

MIS

Email User

To whom it may concern,

In 1998 I purchased a new Forester from Mitchell Subaru in Canton CT.

Approximately one and a half years later it started to develop rust on the right hand side of the rear door glass. I brought this to the Service manager's attention (Ogden Lummis) and he said that I needed an estimate

from Mitchell Auto Body. Two days later I had the estimate done and the body shop said they would fax the information to Ogden Lummis. I did not receive a phone call for three weeks. I finally called Ogden and asked him what was decided. "you need to get and estimate Mr. Smith" (this was done three weeks ago) He found the paperwork and promptly told me that nothing could be done because it is not "rust perforation" The winter of 1999 - 2000 did nothing to improve the rust condition. As a matter of fact it made it rust through.

I stop at Mitchell Subaru and show them the damage. (3/01) Ogden tells me that a Subaru rep needs to look at it. That's fine, but Ogden doesn't know when the rep is going to arrive. "the rep arrives once a month

unannounced" I wait weeks, no phone call. I arrive at the dealer. I'm told the Subaru rep has been onsite and gone already this month. I inquire why I did not receive a phone call so I could stop by to have the rep look at it. A blank look is my answer. The Subaru rep finally looks at the car on 7/31/01. The damage is denied. This letter could go on and on about the lack of customer service, cooperation and satisfaction I have received from Mitchell Subaru and Subaru of New England. I just want my $24,000 car fixed. It has "rust perforation" that started within the first year and a half that I owned the vehicle and I asked Mitchell Subaru if they could have their body shop fix it. "how much profit do you think we make on a car?" Ogden replies. So it seems that the damage is too expensive for Mitchell Subaru to take responsibility. Even though they sold me the vehicle.

Mark P. Smith

Comment On This

I'm dealing with a similar situation with the so called "Subaru Rep" who I've been waiting for 6 months to meet!

My brand new Subaru Legacy is also rusting after 6 months!