Stohlman Subaru Of Tysons Virginia

I took my Mitsubishi Eclipse here when it would not start. I had done some searching on the internet and it sounded like my symptoms indicated a bad computer (very common with this model car). The ONLY place that has the capability to test the computer is the dealership, so I took it to Stohlman. I asked them specifically to check if the computer was ok. They told me my engine head would need replacing and that the compression was bad. I told them that I found it very odd that a car with no performance issues at all just stops working one day due to compression. They assured me this was the case. I asked them if they checked the computer and they assured me they did. So I spent $2000 on the engine head and the car still did not start. Stohlman then advised me that compression was still low and that I should spend ANOTHER $2000 to rebuild the lower half of the engine. By this time, I found a fellow Eclipse owner who suggested he come over and try his computer in my car - so I towed my car home and we tried this and it WORKED. I took this information back to Stohlman Mitsubishi and talked with the service manager telling him I asked if the computer was checked and it clearly was not. The manager showed me a printout which showed that compression was indeed low and therefore they were not at fault for recommending or charging me $2000 for a new engine head, despite my repeated requests to check the computer. So I spent $2000 for work I didn't need and they didn't care.



Because the car sat for such a long time (I didn't have $2000 and needed to save for 2 months and get rides to work) the syncros dried out. I found a DSM technical service bulletin which recommended putting something called friction modifier in the transmission dipstick hole to remedy the problem. This friction modifier is only available at the dealership. I called them up to ask to buy some, and was rudely told by the service person that you never put anything in a transmission other than transmission fluid and nothing ever goes in the dipstick hole. I asked him to refer to his service bulletins and even gave him the TSB number and asked him to read it to me. He read word-for-word, 'when shifting becomes sticky, it is advised to add 3oz of friction modifier to the transmission through the transmission dipstick hole". I at this point I told him he was an idiot, hung up and never dealt with Stohlman again, not even to buy a $5 bottle of friction modifier.



Nothing but the most incompetent people I have ever met in my life. It makes me angry that I can not give less than 1 star.

I bought my car used, a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer from this dealer. A month later one of the keys stopped working. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer, and in the meantime installed an aftermarket sub-woofer and amplifier in the vehicle. When I brought the vehicle in to have the key reprogrammed I was told they couldn't get the car to go into reprogramming mode, and that they needed more time with it. I said OK, I'll have to schedule another time.



A few months went by and I didn't think much of it as one key still worked. I got fed up with the stock stereo's reception, and installed a new aftermarket head-unit. A few weeks later my wife started driving my car more often, and the annoyance of having just one key became apparent. So I took the car in again, and arranged to leave it there all day. About half-way through the day I get a call saying "We cant get it to go into programming mode, we told you we needed you to remove the stereo last time you were here or else we cant work on it." This was the first time they had said the stereo was the cause (It makes no sense to me as to why a key won't program due to a stereo). I tried to explain to them that the scar was stock when the key stopped working, and that the head unit want there the last time I brought it in, but I was interrupted repeatedly. I asked to setup a meeting with the factory service rep thinking I would get some relief from the rude dealership service manager. Boy was I wrong.



After 3 weeks of waiting, I finally met with the factory service rep, the dealership shop manager, and the technician who couldn't get the car to program the key. Once again he tried, and once again the car wouldn't program. He also tried to program a new key, and that didn't work either. The tech pointed at the head-unti, and said "It's the damn stereo causing the issue", to which I responded "Really? Because that wasn't there the first time it came in." The tech responded "I'm not going to argue with you." I of course pushed the issue, asking "Was the stereo installed the first time I brought it in for this issue?", again the tech refused to answer by simply ignoring me. So I turn to the factory rep and say "See, he won't answer because he knows it wasn't." At that, the dealership shop manager told me "After your done talking with the Mitsubishi Rep, I want you to take your car, get off my property, and not come back. We will not work on your car any more." I was completely taken aback, to be told to leave because they couldn't fix the car and we lying about the issue. When I asked why I was being told to leave I was told it was "because you called my tech a liar."



The rep, of course being buddy buddy with the manager told me I would need to have the entire stereo removed, the original put back in, and then take it to a shop 30 miles away. He also felt the need to add "And if that shop thinks the stereo could have caused damage to any part of the car, your warranty will be void and you will have to pay for the repairs yourself."



So here I am, unable to get my car serviced without removing the stereo first, and even then, having to go to a shop 30 miles away, all because Stohlman Mitsubishi, and Mitsubishi in general, refuses to honor the warranty on the vehicles they sell. And if you call them out on their shady practices, you will be banned from the dealership... but I bet if I go in there and tell them I want to buy a new car, all of a sudden I will be a "valued customer" again.... or at least until that car breaks.