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Stohlman Subaru of Sterling - Service Center
Sterling, VA
265 Reviews
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265 Reviews of Stohlman Subaru of Sterling - Service Center
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November 10, 2019
Service Stohlman Subaru of Sterling.....friendly, helpful, honest. The best Subaru dealer in Northern Virginia. We bought our Outback from them while they wer Stohlman Subaru of Sterling.....friendly, helpful, honest. The best Subaru dealer in Northern Virginia. We bought our Outback from them while they were still in Herndon and have used their service department ever since. Would recommend this dealership to everyone! More
by LoveMyOutback
Employees Worked With
Jay Valenzuela, Heather Thomas, Yasmihn Bonilla
November 05, 2019
Dishonest TL;DR: Discovered I was lied to about the level of repair required before my car could be aligned, and was left with a poor taste in my mouth as I dis TL;DR: Discovered I was lied to about the level of repair required before my car could be aligned, and was left with a poor taste in my mouth as I discovered horrible dealers do exist. I've been unable to get a response from the dealer about a part list they promised I would receive after multiple attempts and weeks to contact them. Parts listed that I needed to replace (from memory): - ball joints - bushings (front) - tie rod ends - camber bolts (front) - control arm (front) (comes with ball joint and bushings easing labor costs) - sway bar end links (front) - brakes (front) - lower control arm (rear) (replaces bushings too) - trailing arm (rear) - bushings (rear) - end links (rear) - toe adjustment bolt - toe adjustment bushing (rear) (too firm a material) - brakes (rear) Parts that actually needed replaced: - ball joints - brakes (front) - brakes (rear) My Background: I have an older Subaru and had replaced the aged suspension with a Primitive Racing lift kit. This kit is known to be plug and play from a reputable company, and I matched it with some All Terrain tires so I didn't have to worry about taking it out into the woods for camping. It has also been well maintained by myself, though due to my work schedule I wasn't able to use my normal shops near home. The Appointment: I went into Stohlman's with my vehicle ready to be aligned due to new wheels, and to get a scheduled oil change. I pulled into the service area and was immediately was approached by a service rep. They talked to me about the service and ensured they had everything they needed before I handed over my keys. After sitting for 45 minutes I was brought back to the maintenance bay to discuss issues with my car. The tech greeted me and told me he was unable to move any of the adjustment bolts on the vehicle to bring it into alignment because the lift kit has put too much stress on the car. Not only that, but as he tried it would become worse. He pointed at the ball joints on the front lower control arm, and the bushings telling me the boot was broken and the lower control arm should be replaced (labor and part cost would be about the same but it would replace more than just the ball joint). We then walked to the back and he told me bushings were bad there too, the toe adjustment's bushing was aftermarket and totally nonadjustable, when the bushing is adjustable separate from the bolt for extra angle necessary with a lift kit. He told me the control arms and trailing arms for the rear were bent or locked up he wasn't sure which. The end links were shot, and the bushing for the sway bar was bad. My brakes needed done, as well as my tie rod ends. I asked him if he could provide me a list of the parts while I cursed at my car under my breath since that was a lot to remember. Plus, if the OEM parts were having an issue with my lift kit I needed to talk to Primitive Racing about the kit they sold me, and I needed to research what parts I could buy that would compliment the lift without locking up again. He agreed and told me he would move to do the oil change as I went back to the waiting area. Once my car was done, and I was called back up by my service rep I looked through all the paperwork they gave me and the part list was not there. I asked for the sheet, and they said they'd have to talk to the technician to get the list and it would be awhile before they were available. They were able to E-mail it to me, and in the short sighted accepting person I am I said sure that was fine. After a few days without the list I reached out to Thomas Wimmer through his review request E-mail letting him know I couldn't review the service until I had the list of parts which I requested. Now suspecting foul play I went ahead and scheduled an appointment with another shop (specializing in offroading vehicles) to double check my suspension. Peer Review and Follow Up: The other shop spent 2 hours looking over my car trying to find why Stohlman's would tell me that the suspension had locked up the bolts, they were able to move everything and were stunned at the level of repair (I tried to remember since I still didn't have a parts list) I was listed at the dealer. The did confirm that my ball joints were bad, but that was the extent of the damage, the bushings, control arms, and bolts were all fine if a little old. At this point I reached out to Thomas again through the same E-mail and asked that, since my state inspection was the next day, that I would be able to get that list expedited through to me so I could order the parts to keep my vehicle on the road. I still have not heard a response from him and I am on the third week of waiting for this part list I wanted before reviewing their service. After Thoughts (Personal): I had an amazing dealer where I used to live, and due to their awesome treatment of me with my other Subaru I had convinced many friends and family members to buy a Subaru themselves. I had never witnessed any of the horror stories that others talk about with dealers, and believed that with Subaru I never would. The community, the other dealer I bought my other Subaru from, and the company were all awesome and I enjoyed interacting with them. I had plans to buy a new Subaru from Stohlman's, but if the technicians can't even work on a Subaru without lying how can I be sure sales will work with me to get me what I want? If I came in for maintenance/warranty work would I need to get that double checked by another shop too? And once it's modified can I be sure they won't lie that the modifications haven't broken something completely unrelated to avoid warranty? More
by Paddy
Employees Worked With
I can't recall employee's names.
October 29, 2019
Timely and honest. My experience was fully satisfactory. Began and finished on time. Accepted relevant discounts without problem. Completed 6k mile maintenance on sch My experience was fully satisfactory. Began and finished on time. Accepted relevant discounts without problem. Completed 6k mile maintenance on schedule. Physical surroundings are among the best I have encountered. More
by Douglas
Employees Worked With
Tom Wimmer
October 24, 2019
Service on 2018 Crosstrek Great job done on 48k mile service. Quick check-in, quick service, friendly service. In and out within 45 minutes. Very happy with the experience. Great job done on 48k mile service. Quick check-in, quick service, friendly service. In and out within 45 minutes. Very happy with the experience. More
by None
Employees Worked With
Tom Wimmer
October 12, 2019
Appreciation Good service! Reliable! Probably will come back! All the employees there are being polite, warm & helpful but unfortunately I don’t know their names t Good service! Reliable! Probably will come back! All the employees there are being polite, warm & helpful but unfortunately I don’t know their names though! More
by Mn
Employees Worked With
Sorry, I don’t know these names
September 13, 2019
A great job with great service I have been having my Subaru Forester serviced at Stohlman Subaru of Sterling since I bought it at that dealership two years ago. I have never regret I have been having my Subaru Forester serviced at Stohlman Subaru of Sterling since I bought it at that dealership two years ago. I have never regretted continuing with my relationship with Stohlman. The servicing itself, and the ongoing engagment with staff on both routine and special needs, has been outstanding. I wait for my work on my car to be completed, but I am always offered options like loaner or drop-off at a nearby shopping area, or use of a bike to exercise on the adjacent W&OD Bike Trail. That's terrific. You won't go wrong with your car or care at Stohlman Subaru of Sterling. More
by Tom
September 02, 2019
No on else I wouldn't trust my 2007 outback to anyone else. They keep an eye on things, letting me know when things start to show their age. I like having all my I wouldn't trust my 2007 outback to anyone else. They keep an eye on things, letting me know when things start to show their age. I like having all my records in one place with good service to go with them. More
by Cindymcqt
Employees Worked With
Jay Valenzuela, Heather Thomas
August 17, 2019
Installation of tires I have 2016 Subaru Outback. I always go to this center for servicing. This center offers an excellent customer service. They do excellent job and woul I have 2016 Subaru Outback. I always go to this center for servicing. This center offers an excellent customer service. They do excellent job and would recommend this center for any service. More
by Subatu
Employees Worked With
Tom Wimmer, Heather Thomas
August 14, 2019
Brake Emergency While Traveling While traveling from PA to Williamsburg for a family memorial service the Outback started flashing the Break light. Car had a recall and dealership i While traveling from PA to Williamsburg for a family memorial service the Outback started flashing the Break light. Car had a recall and dealership in PA had been waiting for parts for months. We parked the car on Friday night at a hotel around the corner from Stohlmans - went to Wmsburg for Sat and Sunday and made our way back to the car Sunday night. Monday morning called the dealership at home for advice about driving the car and they recommended it be checked before making the drive. Found Stohlman was close - drove over - talked to Nick who looked up the recall, had the parts, said he could do it that day. Took the shuttle back (thank you Kenny) to the hotel to wait until 4 when the car would be done. Knowing I was trying to get home Nick called at noon to say car was ready to go. No charge. Saved the day - literally. And, Nick recommended the tires be replaced - after my dealership told me they were good until winter. He was not trying to make a sale just safety minded- I agree they need replaced and will get it done. Great service for a non-customer. I'm on my 6th Subaru. Can't say enough about the service I received. More
by PA Driver
Employees Worked With
Nick
August 09, 2019
Not trustworthy or worth the price I brought my Subaru in to troubleshoot a potential problem with my transmission. They couldn't reproduce the problem, but the error code for the check I brought my Subaru in to troubleshoot a potential problem with my transmission. They couldn't reproduce the problem, but the error code for the check engine light indicated that it MAY be a problem with a part that may mean that another part needs to be replaced. So they recommended replacing it--for $2600. I chose not to have that work done. They apparently also noted that I my control arm bushings were torn and that I needed new brake pads and rotors (another $1800+). I specifically asked about my transmission fluid and if it was checked, if the level was good, etc. They said it was all fine. A few days later, I did need to have that part replaced, but did so at another shop. They troubleshot the problem and were able to pinpoint it to the actual part and describe to me in detail what was wrong and how they knew that was what was wrong (something Stohlman could not do). They also quoted me $1500 for the same work that Stohlman wanted me to pay $2600 for--using the same new Subaru OEM part. They noted that the transmission fluid was solid black and that it was very noticeable. I asked them to check the control arm bushings and the brakes and they said that neither needed replaced (despite Stohlman claiming that they did). When I called back to Nick to ask him why the discrepancy, he was dismissive and told me I was wrong and that the other place wasn't using Subaru parts (which isn't true). On top of all of this, they had my name, address and phone number in their system from 10 years earlier and never even tried to confirm if the information was still correct (none of it was--including my name). My information has been updated in the Subaru database as well as the other Stohlman Subaru database, but apparently their systems don't link and their service reps only check to make sure they know what number to call you back at. I will never bring my vehicle back to this Subaru dealer for service. More
by K8
Employees Worked With
Nick
