Retserof Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) I bought my 2016 Legacy 3.6R about 6 months ago and have had no problems other than a flat tire, but recently while washing the insides of the windows I noticed water stains on the headliner on both rear window pillars. Has anyone seen this pattern before? Where is the water leaking in?77 Pete Edited August 12, 2016 by Retserof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_l_s Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 If I had to guess it's from the rear sunroof drain tubes, definitely have your dealer check it out Lighting Mods: $10 Footwell Illumination | Tail as Turn | Fog as DRL Diode Dynamics C-Lights | RX350 Bi-Xenon Retrofit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retserof Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Thanks. I will have the dealer look at it soon, but removal of the headliner is not a simple procedure, so I thought it would be helpful first to tap the collective wisdom of this forum. I figured that the sunroof rear drain hoses would both have to be disconnected from the drain pan or have some sort of holes in them, which seem unlikely. A leak at the roof antenna is another possibility, but I would expect a central water stain from that. Based on the location, leaks around the rear window's anchor points seemed most likely to me. Because there are several possibilities, I am hoping someone else would recognize this stain pattern and actually know the location of the leak(s). Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffs3232 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Thanks. I will have the dealer look at it soon, but removal of the headliner is not a simple procedure, so I thought it would be helpful first to tap the collective wisdom of this forum. I figured that the sunroof rear drain hoses would both have to be disconnected from the drain pan or have some sort of holes in them, which seem unlikely. A leak at the roof antenna is another possibility, but I would expect a central water stain from that. Based on the location, leaks around the rear window's anchor points seemed most likely to me. Because there are several possibilities, I am hoping someone else would recognize this stain pattern and actually know the location of the leak(s). Pete Seems like random water leaks are the achilles heel of these cars. I would defintely have the pull the headliner and replace it. I think you're correct that a drain is plugged. Most of the leaks I'm familiar with are in the front floor boards. I noticed my sunroof drips small amounts of water in rain and when washing, but there is a catch basin for that reason. Seems like they designed them to leak with the expectation to drain the water out. Weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTG Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Very interesting to see both sides are doing this. That looks like its coming from the rear window seals. Did you buy the car used or new? Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) I'm with Andrew, my money would be on the sunroof drain tubes. *To elaborate on my thoughts. I don't think the tubes would have to come completely disconnected. I think there could be a partial disconnect, or a loose connection, and water is running down the side of the tubes. Something along those lines is possible in my opinion. Or simply water bypassing the drain tubes, and running down the sides of the tubes. Edited August 12, 2016 by apexi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retserof Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) I bought the car new in early February. I have an appointment with the dealer on Monday morning. We'll find out then. Tuesday Update -- after the technician looked at the stains, the dealership decided to order a new headliner, sunroof track, seals, etc., before pulling the interior apart to investigate the source of the leak. I'll let you know what happens next. Edited August 16, 2016 by Retserof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retserof Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 UPDATE: The dealer discovered that the water stains on my headliner were from a leaky sunroof gasket. The leak was worst at the right rear corner. The sunroof drip tray's 4 drain hoses were all properly connected and were not blocked by debris. Apparently, the volume of rainwater getting past the gasket was so great it overwhelmed or simply sprayed past the sunroof's drip tray and ended up on top of the headliner, where it ran back toward the rear window and the C pillars. From there, it dripped down into the rear seat belts/retractors, staining the seatbelts. There may also have been a small rain leak from the SIRIUS roof antenna. Even after the parts arrived, the repairs took several days to complete. The dealer replaced the sunroof glass with its integral gasket, the headliner, the roof antenna, and the rear seat belts. They tie-wrapped the drain hose connections as a precaution and adjusted the closed position of the new sunroof glass to be a little higher in the roof opening so water won't pool on it so readily. The new glass seems to have a slightly thicker or puffier gasket than the original one, so that should help too. All parts and labor were covered under warranty. The dealer's technician did a careful and thorough job and is confident that the problem has been corrected. He told me that my Legacy is the second new one he's seen with a leak like this. We haven't had any heavy rain since, so I'll have to wait and see if all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Just gave me yet another reason why not to have a sunroof. (Aside from the fact that I have a problem with the ceiling height in most cars) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retserof Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Believe me, I would not have a sunroof either if Subaru gave me the choice of deleting it. I am severely allergic to wasp stings, and I too often have a problem with the ceiling height in cars. This Legacy is the first time I've owned a car with a sunroof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pursteses Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 I have headliner stains similar to the original post but I have no sunroof in my 17 Legacy. Had it to the dealership 4 times and they finally replaced the shark fin antenna on the roof and "cleaned" the headliner. All under warranty, but very annoying to have to go back 4 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crudzinskas Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 If you need to still remove any stains, I would highly recommend this product: https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-carpet-upholstery-cleaner-car-upholstery-cleaner-fabric-cleaner I once had a can of grape pop explode in my car and it stained EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE purple. Fortunately, with an application of this on the headliner and seats, everything came out and looks brand new again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncted Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 I wish I didn't have to get a sunroof to get other features that only come on higher-end trims. I never use it. What a waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pursteses Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 If you need to still remove any stains, I would highly recommend this product: https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-carpet-upholstery-cleaner-car-upholstery-cleaner-fabric-cleaner I once had a can of grape pop explode in my car and it stained EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE purple. Fortunately, with an application of this on the headliner and seats, everything came out and looks brand new again. Thanks! As of now, it's still a warranty issue that the dealer needs to make right. Looks like I'm going back in for the fifth time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aki334 Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Just gave me yet another reason why not to have a sunroof. (Aside from the fact that I have a problem with the ceiling height in most cars) I am 6'5" love wife's 2015 scion xb for that reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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