Wiring problems of the 2007 Subaru Outback

My 2007 Outback wagon tailgate lights, lock failed to work. Some of the wiring within the flexible rubber conduit broke and shorted out the fuse. The wires could not endure the repeated motion of the tailgate movement. I have now learned that several others have had the same issue. The upper brake light, reverse lights, tailgate lock are affected. I believe the rear wiper motor wiring is in the same harness. A previous owner made a repair of one wire as seen in the photo. Repair did not hold up. Subaru should correct the condition at no charge.

Wire harness, that passes through rubber articulated gasket that connects between vehicle body and rear hatch door of wagon, suffers from wire fatigue that causes individual wire insulators to crack and conducting wires to break, leading to failure of critical automobile safety equipment; namely, rear wiper motor, rear back-up lights, rear middle brake light, rear license plate lights, rear window defroster. This design defect has be reported by numerous owners and has been documented on youtube (https://www. Youtube. . Read more...