2004 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems

AT 26,469 miles the harmonic balancer separated into two pieces while driving causing sudden loss of power steering. I contacted Subaru for assistance with this know problem. They refused a free repair. I have been a Master ASE mechanic for over 25 years at a dealership and know repairs of this type are usually done in house under a goodwill policy, otherwise swept under the rug so there is no recall. I went to the local dealer here and the tech there said he use to do the repair almost everyday. the same thing happened to my housemates at some time and he doesn't remember the details. This is a serious problem and there should be a recall as it could result in death given the circumstances the driver is driving in.

MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE RECALLS ON 2004 SUBARU LEGACY CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A SUBARU DEALER -USED. THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT BRING UP ANY RECALLS FOR THE HEADER GASKET FOR THIS MODEL. WAS THERE A RECALL FOR HEADER GASKETS FOR A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY ? MY MECHANIC STATED IT WOULD COST AROUND $1200.00 TO FIX. THE CAR HAS 161K MILES AND IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. CAN YOU ADVISE IF SUBARU EVER RECALLED THIS CAR DUE TO FAULTY HEADER GASKETS ? SHOULDN'T THE SUBARU DEALER FIX THIS FOR FREE OR AT A LOWER COST ? I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE OIL PAN GASKET, POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP , WHICH HAS NOT BEEN CHEAP. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND KEEP THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. THANK YOU . *TR

THERE IS A FUEL SMELL UNDER THE HOOD. A REPAIRMAN SAID THAT THE FUEL CLAMPS WERE LOOSE, HOWEVER, TO GET TO THEM HE HAD TO TAKE THE FUEL RAIL OFF THE MOTOR TO E TO THE CLAMPS. THEY COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT DIS ASSEMBLY. WE WERE QUOTED $500 TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT ON WEB CHAT ROOMS FOR THESE CARS. *TR

WHILE OPERATING THE 2004 SUBARU LEGACY LT AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST, CAUSING SEVER LACK OF CONTROL, THE BATTERY TROUBLE LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY OCCURRED. UPON INSPECTION (UNDER THE HOOD), IT WAS NOTED THAT ONE OF THE TWO DRIVE BELTS HAD BEEN RIPPED APART AND THE SECOND BELT HAD BEEN DISLODGED FROM IT'S PULLEYS , LEAVING THE POWER STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AIR CONDITIONER ETC WITHOUT DRIVE BELTS. IT WAS FURTHER FOUND AND NOTED THAT THE PULLEY MOUNTED ON THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT HAD IN FACT SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING HUB AND WAS EASILY REMOVED BY HAND WITHOUT EFFORT. THE SLIPPING LOOSE AND WANDERING PULLEY RESULTED IN THROWING AND DAMAGING THE POWER DRIVE BELTS AND COULD HAVE COME OFF COMPLETELY AND BE PROPELLED INTO THE RADIATOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS. BEING ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE PREVENTED FURTHER DANGER AND DAMAGE. *TR

WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RACE AND STOPPING FORWARD MOVEMENT REQUIRES APPLYING HAND BRAKE AND SOMETIMES TURNING OFF ENGINE. FIRST REPORTED IN 2006 THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INCIDENTS IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS (JUNE 20 TO JULY 2, 2014) EACH INVOLVING A DIFFERENT DRIVER. FLOOR MATS HAD BEEN REMOVED FOLLOWING THE EARLIER INCIDENTS IN 2006. IN EACH OF THE PRIOR INCIDENTS REARING ENDING OF THE AUTO IN FRONT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IS 82,800. UPDATED 2/18/15*JS

WHEN REVVING THE ENGINE POPPED NOISE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BACK FIRED. *AK