Topic: SUBARU LEGACY GT

[deanna]

I have an issue with my 2000 Legacy GT Subaru.  I love the car.  It's Subaru's maintenance department I'm very unhappy with.  The back lighting panel on the vehicle is leaking.  When it rains, water gets inside the panel where the brake lights are.  It sits there and of course rusts the carriage where the lights are sitting.  When I open the back hatch, water comes pouring out of the access doors to the brake lights.  This has been happening for about 6 months.  The car is only 5 years old.  I feel it is a design flaw, but of course Subaru is not willing to step up to the plate and take responsibility for this flaw.  I have notice the newer Subaru's do not have this panel on the back.  I want to know if anyone else has seen or heard of this problem and what can be done about it.  I can get it fixed by Subaru but it will cost me $500.00.  Please advise as to how I should proceed with this.  Or am I 'hooped'.
Deanna
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[citydude]

If it was a flaw, it would have happened since day one?  Otherwise, something must have been worn or damaged over the years to cause this problem now.  So I guess you can't really blame the service department for not getting it fixed for free.  You can always try another dealer.  Maybe an independent mechanic can get this fixed for less.  Or you can take a picture of the problem and post it here, perhaps someone here can help.  I had a 98 Legacy GT, I am not sure if it was the same style as yours, I didn't have the same problem you do.

Citydude

[barrie1]

There should be a rubber seal around the light fixture which I would remove and coat with "Silicone Emulsion". I buy this at a GM dealers service counter for around $5.00 a small bottle. It causes the rubber to swell up to its original size again and should help stop the leaks. If not then look for a heavier piece of rubber and make a thicker Gasket for this part. It will take a bit of work and effort but should help with a permanent fix. I have also done the above repairs and have used a good bead of silicone on the sealing surface of the light fixture as well. Never had another leak after that again. Hope this helps. Welcome to the Forum as well.

(Message edited by barrie1 on August 15, 2005)

[ovr50]

I feel Barrie is right on this, likely more of a seal problem than a design flaw. Follow Barrie's advice and you should be able to solve the problem. IMO it is not Subaru's fault or responsibility, it's "wear & tear" and age.

[Craig]

The Ford Contour/Mystique, Subaru Legacy and Pontiac Sunfire (and others I'm sure) seem to have this issue crop up on some vehicles with the one-piece lens that wraps around the back of the trunk or hatch.  PITA when you get deluged with water.

Not a design flaw per se, just a poor design decision to wrap the lens around the back of the car in the first place, inviting water to break the seal and cause problems.

[Smainville]

My 93 323 HB was like that too.

[Bullet Blue]

I recall seeing a lot of 323's with the same problem. Doesn't seem like it was just yours smain.

[johngenx]

Our 2001 OBW did the EXACT same thing and now my father's OBW is doing it as well.  This seems to be a common flaw and it's not inexpensive.

I took out the light bar and tried EVERYTHING to repair it.  Changed the seal, silconed the entire housing, you name it.  Nothing fixed it.  The only repair that worked in the end was replacing the entire light housing, and it was more than the $500 you've been quoted.  If that price is for a whole new housing, you're getting off cheap.

Is IS a design flaw and I'm sure the dealer has seen the problem many times before.  They're BS'ing you if they say "you're the only one..."