general problems of the 2009 Subaru Outback

Individual wires in the harness powering and controlling the brake, turn, backup, and license plate lights, and the rear wiper motor and washer pump, may fail without warning. This failure could result in an rear end collision or impairing vision out the rear window in inclement weather. The point of failure is inside the flexible rubber boot protecting the harness where it passes from the rear frame of the main body to the top of the rear lift gate. It appears that repeated flexing of the wires inside the protective boot, as the rear lift gate is opened and closed, work hardens the insulation and copper wires causing them to eventually break. Symptoms may appear as static on the radio, failing rear lights, and/or failing rear wiper/washer motors. In my case, I experienced radio static and a failure of the rear wiper/washer motors. Trouble shooting led me to cut open the protective boot revealing the broken wires. Further inspection revealed that the wire insulation was brittle in the area of the breaks. A search online revealed this is not an isolated incident.

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the dome light was burned and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

This is the 4th headlamp we have replaced within 12 months. We have tried piaa's, silver star's. . . All have the same life span of approx. 3-4 months. . . This has become expensive, a safety hazard, and a nuisance.