Simon, thank you for clearing that up i was unsure when the map was implemented! however Subaru cannot escape the fact that this "map" was implemented on my car before both of the previous engines expired! and surely on other sti's. meaning that it cannot possibly be a mapping issue! plus through no fault of the dealers Subaru is not interested in continued custom of existing customers and damaging their own reputation! kt green have been brilliant in every way about rectifying these issues but their hands (like all other dealers) are tied by what subaru or IM are saying. even though there has been a recall in the USA which is an obvious admission of severe faults!

This engine problem along with other reasons is why I've left Subaru ownership and won't return I'm afraid.

It's obviously not a mapping issue - it's OBVIOUS.

If it was a mapping issue I believe it would have been a recall and sorted.
The reason IM prefers to repair the engines under warranty as and when they break means the cause must be an engine component I guess.
Recalling all Sti's to strip and replace the pistons (if that is the problem) will cost much more than repairing only the cars that break.
What they haven't thought of is the damage to the brand/sales that can be done with the above attitude.
I did not know there was a recall in US? What was the cause?

14,904 views on this post and another 8,661 on the engine failures at the top of the page. Fantastic publicity for Subaru !!!!

Just to be clear with this. I don't think anyone blames the dealers for this situation, you follow the processes and decisions Subaru pass down.

Spot on Mick - this is a disaster for Subaru and could have been nipped in the bud very early on.

I still love Subaru's but regret ever trading my Hawkeye STi in for the 330S - this will put sooooo many people off the entire Subaru brand IMO :brickwall

STIste: As much as I'd love to I really couldn't offer my opinions on any of this.
All I can say is that I sympathise with anyone who has had issues. It certainly doesn't make our job any easier from the other side of the counter. However, the work is a plus side for us!

just to keep you all updated! i have emailed the MD of the IM GROUP! and also emailed BBC WATCHDOG about our ongoing issue and will keep you all updated on my progress

So we've had failures on the OEM map, updated 'fixed' map and the 330s map... any failures yet from third party maps? I believe Andy F has done a fair few, Duncan too and i'd guess most of these aren't on forged engine internals.

Tony.

+1.

Lee

the standard ones that had the updated pak files applied to them dont seem to be as much of an issue to date.

........

Well done starting the Facebook page, FB will draw far more attention than any specialised car forum can.

I drive a 2008 model STi hatch and I worry that at some point the engine will go pop, knowing my luck it will be after the manufacturers warranty expires. I have nursed the car oil is checked twice weekly without fail, more often if I am doing any long journeys. Warmed up and cooled down carefully, but it sounds like the engine problem will occur at some point.

I bought new as I didn't want a car which had been thrashed! Bit pointless it seems, as the engine has its own inbuilt weakness.

Lets hope IM / Subaru / FHI start listening before the brand name here in the UK is more of a joke than Skoda in pre VAG days.

650 miles since a new short engine on my 57 plate sti type uk with ppp fingers crossed still running in only revving to around 4000 rpm will book an oil change in a week or so still concerned though

please all join our group and when we have a decent amount of followers we can take action!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Subaru-engine-failure

I have joined facebook just for this issue :thumb:

Hats off to you powder hound - this issue needs blowing up so Subaru & IM react positively rather than waiting for sales of the STI to stop altogether.

Something I don't get though - IM must know that when they approve a warranty repair with the same spec internals they might have to pay again before warranty expiry? I've read on here of more than one double failure within warranty period.

IM must have the failure rate data so they've done the business case calculation on recall / no recall. The potential lost future sales from failing to be proactive about this is something they must be prepared to swallow, but on engine failure claim why not replace with appropriate spec internals to prevent failure recurrence & keep the total cost of the problem down? For them it would not be admission of guilt, since not every single engine goes pop - and they could hide behind component development as the reason for using better spares (eg hypereutectic pistons are no longer in manufacture or some other tenuous technical reason).

Or are IM just totally stupid?

Doh - I just answered my own post:freak3:

There can be no long term business sense in the approach Subaru have taken. At present we have a situation where by a lot of owners have experienced failure, others worry about failure and some have taken matters into there own hands, gone out and bought a fix.

Don't forget that all these cars are still in there 3 year warranty period so a lot of the anger is being watered down simply because Subaru customers have some financial protection. When the warranty expires it's every one for themselves (although we do have some statutory rights).

There are several reputable and experienced engine builders on record as saying that going forged takes the problem away. If Subaru had any vision they would recall and fix. They are a huge company, they will no exactly what is needed......... it's madness.

Lets keep this topic at the top of the page guys, let more and more people read it and at least get some satisfaction from putting up a fight.

Yes Subaru have handled it badly and the publicity is bad too
People bought subarus as a long life quality product and when you spend 26-30k you don't expect a rebuild
That's why I didn't buy the 330s and got the wrxd which I do like and hope it lasts as long as my 10 year classic

Just picked up an ex demo (registered March 10) one of these and very :D it is too. Would it be worth using some NF just to help matters? Put enough in to take 95 up to 97-98, just to cover the possibility of dodgy SUL/V-Power/Mom99 fuel from the pumps?

Richie.

V-Power = 99 RON :confused: Don't use SUL = 95.

hi i have been reading the forums regarding the engine problems. i bought a 08 sti with 22000 on the clock from a none subaru dealer in belfast 3 weeks ago they had bought the car from a subaru dealer accross the road from them at trade i thought it was a bit funny that a time a 2008 car being sold to trade between dealers anyway i bought the car and days later found oil on the ground under the car i took it to my locall dealer s&s services in ayr they inspected the car then asked where i got the car as it looked as the engine had been removed and when put back in some of the cables and pipes were not clipped into the correct places anyway the dealer looked into there computer to find out my car has had 1.crankshaft under warrenty then 3 blocks again under warrenty they then said it looked like the inlet manifold gasket needs replaced to sort the oil leak so this was done got the car back and the next day oil on the ground again i took the car back after they had it most of the day theyy said a seal at the cranshaft had gone so the put a new seal on and wanted to keep the car overnight and test run in the morning phoned them again today to see about collecting the car to be told they had now found a cracked pipe with oil coming out that they will have to replace . i phoned subaru uk regarding problems with this car and they were not happy to say the least about me finding out the warrenty work that was done on my car i have asked them to supply documentation on all work done under warrenty but they are refusing to send it this is the first subaru i have owned and is turning out to be the biggest nightmare the good thing is the dealer i bought it from says he had no idea of all the work done and when subaru would not give me a loan vehicle while warrent work is done they send a mercedes over from irland on the ferry for me to use they have also said that any work that needs done not under warrenty they will pay and if i want to return the car to them if im not happy at the outcome or with the issues that these cars are having they will take it back without a problem or cost to me so i think i will be returning to irland with the car at least the selling dealer has been honest and helpfull unlike subaru uk

Fair play to the dealer for doing the honourable thing. It would be great if Subaru would do the same.

22000 miles on the clock with all that history is not good. I hope you get sorted.

lost one engine on the original map then one with the updated map. I think the map is a red herring there is a serious degin flaw with the pistons that i would imagine has no been rectified with the nex generation engine that has just be released.

Well done with the facebook page. Subaru have there own pages as well have been posting my thoughts on there for a couple of months now would be great if everybody else would do the same.

Sorry, it was a totally badly written post on my part.

I was just wondering if it was worth putting in enough booster every time, to ensure that you were running at least 98/99 ron, on the off chance that there was :

a) 95 ron coming out of a vpower or whatever pump (someone made a balls up and filled the wrong tank at the garage)
b) a bad batch of lower than expected ron fuel
c) some fuel that had been sitting at a garage for months and months

I dunno, I am probably just talking/thinking too much.

As you were everyone, ignore me :D

Richie.

Point A happened to me and destroyed piston number 2 on my car:cry:

Subaru are aware of these threads guys so make sure you feedback your concerns and experiences :thumb:

Let's have as much info as possible about the failures you have experienced. Let's also here from owners who are concerned about failure.

Subaru need to know. Please post.

If you are a hatch owner I imagine you are very concerned, I know I am! 3 years 1 day old and the engine goes bang....who foots a very costly bill...I doubt it will be Subaru. An engine should be able to do at least 100 000 miles IMHO if scheduled services are completed. Is the car going to be sellable in the future? How much will this hurt the resale value?....not good for hatch owners. Subaru do the decent thing...sort out the problem, recall and fix the cars....restore the faith in the Subaru brand and your customers faith in you!

Is it me or have Subaru removed there Facebook link from there homepage today ????

Need to use this link guys.