RustyShackleford Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 its pretty much a sure thing every wagon will have this issue... Sure seems like it - every wagon 2005 or 2006 at least. But, my old '97 OB Wagon, which died near 200K miles and 15 years of age, never had the slightest problem with the electricals in the tailgate (or anywhere else for that matter). Nope. All this PITA-ness is because some moron or idiot bean-counter decided to skimp on the quality of wire used in the harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amason Posted April 20, 2013 Share Posted April 20, 2013 I had no door lock actuator, door lock switch, or reverse lights. Found 6 wires broken, 5 more on the way, and 3 intact. Does anyone know why there are 2x light green/black stripe? I can't figure it out from the wiring diagram, and I cut them apart before noticing. Mostly fixed now anyway, wish I'd figured this out before someone opened my unlocked and unalarmed trunk and took my stuff. Oh well. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt166 Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I initially researched this thread a couple of months ago when my buddies 08 outback had the broken wire issue, dealership quote 400 blah blah. He ended up ordering the harness and changing it out himself in 20 minutes, the most complicated thing he has ever worked on is a bike. Just a couple of pillar panels in the back and it was all plug and play - according to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 He ended up ordering the harness and changing it out himself ... Let's hope the replacement harness wasn't made from the same faulty kind of wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonardo Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Wonder if the wagons built in Japan have this issue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deejaedub Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 On mine my rear wiper suddenly stopped working. Seems like a common problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyvt Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 So I am having the same problem where my hatch is not locking. I checked the wires in the boot and did not see any frayed/cut wires or even broken insulation. The other thing I noticed today was that I had my rear wiper in the first/slow position. When I put it into reverse the rear wiper all of a sudden started to wipe like it was in the fast position. When I took it out of reverse it went back to wiping in the slow position again. Has anyone noticed this with frayed wires or is this some factory thing from subaru that I just never noticed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 My alarm goes on as soon as I close the drivers door, even with the hatch up, indicating that it doesn't know the hatch is opened. Came here to post a question on the hatch switch and found this. Have to go check my wires when I get home. Thanks for the color-code chart! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 (edited) Any new owners with this issue, please continue to report the claims through the website https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq Takes 10 minutes. This could be a serious safety issue, and Subaru should own up to it. Edited April 22, 2013 by BoozeRS05 EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 seems they only care about american customers ^ i guess i could enter my us post office box. this seems like the candian version https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=eng Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amason Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Thanks for the link frank_ster, submitted a report. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blink Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Rear wiper stopped working last week. Report submitted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 i didn't report yet as i dont have the vin number handy Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I submitted my report. I see a bunch of others there too. How easy is it to change the harness? I assume that there are two harnesses, one on each side. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 ^ no only 1 harness that kind of wraps around the tailgate. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior314 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Rear wipers stopped working, I submitted a report today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big ears Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 (edited) I just filed a complaint with NHTSA previously my harness on the passenger side of the lift gate ripped itself apart, now my radio reception stopped, upon investigation I found torn wires on the driver's side of the rear lift gate. Spliced them back together and all is good now. Contact NHTSA when you encounter this wiring nightmare. Edited May 14, 2013 by big ears Clarity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I called the dealer and they said no warranty or recall. BTW, if you are going to repair it, take a picture first. I just got an email from NHTSA asking for a picture of the broken wires or the repair invoice. Unfortunately, I didn't grab a pic before I fixed it. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 UPDATE here too!! Last Thursday I got an email from the NHTSA asking for more info on the issue. They asked: "1. Did both right and left brake lights go out, or just the third center mounted light go out? What about tail lights and turn signals? 2. Was there any dash lights or chime that alerted you to the issue? If not, what first prompted you to investigate? 3. If you have taken pictures of the damaged harness and its routing near where it was cut, please email them to me. 4. If you have the harness repaired, please email me a copy of the repair invoice. Steve C*** Safety Defects Engineer Office of Defects Investigation" So it seems like this might be working. Anyone care to email me pictures or an invoice of their repair? My documentation is grossly minimal, and I have not responded yet. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Anyone care to email me pictures or an invoice of their repair? My documentation is grossly minimal, and I have not responded yet. Do not send in someone else's documentation. If they see a duplicate, they will think it's not legit and you could have TWO complaints invalidated. On top of that, it could be a federal crime to falsify documentation. Just tell them what you have and what you did. If you don't know the answer to a question, then say that you don't know. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Smart thinking. I'm not necessarily trying to pull a fast one on anyone, but I do want to see the issue corrected for others. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I just got an email from NHTSA asking for a picture of the broken wires or the repair invoice. This is awesome - I was just thinking of phoning them. I didn't take pictures either, but mine is so obviously a hack - I fed through a bundled wire with 3 small conductors, used one for repair and left two for later failures - that even an "after" photo would show what happened, though not the actual frayed wire, as it's still inside the boot. I just called NHTSA (888.327.4236) and the guy said "there is no ongoing investigation" on this car. He said there were only 9 complaints, and that it takes a lot more than that for a recall to be contemplated. It's very discouraging. But I don't think it can hurt to call in and log your concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjtjp Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I have poor radio reception and the other day my back up lights weren't working. (at least that's what my wife told me, but maybe she was wrong) Since then I've checked them while opening and closing the hatch several times and haven't noticed flickering/dimming so idk. I might check it out just to see and maybe wrap wires that are one their way. I was wondering if there is a way bad wiring at this location could cause the center dome to go out. Mine hasn't been working for almost a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 It should not affect the front dome light. but both dome lights can be turned on by opening the hatch when the rear dome light is set to door. if that wire is grounded it could prevent the front dome light from operating or blow its fuse. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewaugh Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 My wires actually look pretty decent, aside from the severed power to rear wiper wire...report submitted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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