Thread: Hitchmount on a Subaru Impreza?

Originally Posted by jqualls

I don't know about installing a hitch on the Subaru but lots of hitches are pretty easy to do on your own. Do a search and see how difficult it is. There is a good chance you can bolt it up yourself if you have any mechanical skills. There is probably even a you tube video showing how to do it.

Most of what I've seen for a 2010 Impreza requires some drilling and lowering the exhaust. I'm pretty sure I'd rather pay the dudes at Uhaul (who do this for a living) $50 to do the job right.

Lowering the exhaust should be pretty easy but drilling would be worth the $50 if you are not comfortable with it. Good luck

Originally Posted by jamal

No such thing as a "voided" warranty.

If you have a hitch, and the trailer lights get hooked up wrong and fries some wiring, obviously that won't be covered. The point is that the mod has to be proven to cause the failure for the repair not to be covered under warranty.

Can anyone confirm this? I'm looking to get a 2012 Impreza with a hitch for a bike rack. I had also read that a hitch mount on that car would void the drivetrain warranty. Perhaps I just need to ask a Subaru dealer.

No drilling required. Super easy if you have a cool exhaust (do it in the morning) and a willingness to skin a knuckle or two:

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Subaru_Impreza.htm

There are holes in the frame, so it shouldn't void the warranty. Hell, it doesn't even touch the drivetrain.

To deny a warranty claim based on a modification, they have to prove that that modification caused the failure. So if you put a hitch on and tow something really heavy and overheat the motor and blow the headgaskets, then they could deny coverage. I suppose that is where the idea came from- that a dealer could see the hitch and say "you must have been towing, sorry no warranty fix."

If the hitch bolts on and you are that worried about it, just take it off before going to the dealer. The manual should have some info about towing in it, but asking someone like the service manager would be the best bet.

Originally Posted by jamal

To deny a warranty claim based on a modification, they have to prove that that modification caused the failure. So if you put a hitch on and tow something really heavy and overheat the motor and blow the headgaskets, then they could deny coverage. I suppose that is where the idea came from- that a dealer could see the hitch and say "you must have been towing, sorry no warranty fix."

If the hitch bolts on and you are that worried about it, just take it off before going to the dealer. The manual should have some info about towing in it, but asking someone like the service manager would be the best bet.

This is where stealerships make a lot of their money, from the service department, and warranty work. Even if a modification is present, but the tech can make more time on the car then it takes him to do the work, he is not going to say anything. And if you can get one where no drilling is required, DO IT. These are a uni-body car, so if you start riffling holes in it, maybe that is where part of your warranty can get voided, hard to justify the whole drivetrain, but... I can see the Rust Perforation Limited Warranty being voided. I have seen a lot of rust start around hitch to frame areas. I would even put some rubber between the frame and the hitch, and smear everything with Never seize.
Again, if your worried about it, give the service manager a call.

I had a 96 wagon and a 2000 2.5RS and put hitches on both myself. Sold the hitches when I sold the cars and lost $40 in each. Easy to install utilizing the existing bolts. Used a Yakima rack with the old bedrocks which held 3 bikes on both cars. No clearance issues whatsoever although one time we melted a tire on my wifes bike from the exhaust.

Had to warranty the transmission on the 2.5RS, no issues from the dealer about the rack.

Just installed a curt hitch on a 2011 wrx hatch. No drilling, bolt on. It was a bitch, but if I had to install another one, I would know the little tricks to make it quicker. I also installed my kuat nv rack. Clean looking, and should be much easier than lifting 40 lbs to the roof.

Originally Posted by emr

Just installed a curt hitch on a 2011 wrx hatch. No drilling, bolt on. It was a bitch, but if I had to install another one, I would know the little tricks to make it quicker. I also installed my kuat nv rack. Clean looking, and should be much easier than lifting 40 lbs to the roof.

Nice. Good to know. That's exactly the setup I'm considering. I'm still undecided on the Sherpa vs. NV though.