2014 Subaru Outback Rear Hatch Leak Fix
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
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This is a video showing how to fix a rear 3rd brake light leak in a 2010-2014 Subaru Outback. It is probably the same in many different years. THANKS FOR WATCHING
PRODUCT USED: PERMATEX BLACK SILICON
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Best video I’ve seen for this fix! Everyone else starts recording after getting the trim off.
Thanks for watching. Glad to help out.
California's atmospheric river found its way into my 2013 Outback. Followed your video and there were no surprises. You saved me loads of time and frustration, much appreciated!
Pete and Ann F - July 29, 2021 THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Our 2012 Outback was garage kept until recently. It is rainy season here in FL so that leak made itself known - all over the tonneau cover! Being retired, we are long on time and short on cash, so we decided to check out You Tube. This Alabama gentleman gave perfect, thorough instructions and we just completed the task! My husband didn't even drop the nuts required to remove the tail light assembly - which was our biggest fear. The silicone is curing and we can't wait to test our work! Thanks again.
Thanks. I just repaired ours based on your video. Dropped the nut. Fished it out with a magnet on a chopstick.
Glad the video helped.
This fix worked on our 2016 Forester. When inspecting the gasket I didn’t see any visible degradation but scraping it off and using black silicone fixed our leak. Just had over two inches of rain drop and our hatch area is bone dry. Thank you!
NICE job! Love the clear video, instructions and added personality! Easy to watch and helpful. Thanks so much.
EASY to-do!! This gave me the confidence to do it myself and the correct product to use. The most difficult part of this is cleaning off the dried-up gasket. (2012 Outback)THANKS!!!
Hey! I finally fixed that on my outback! One side didn’t even have the nut on the bolt any longer! A great tip I learned from scotty kilmer’s youtube is to use a small piece of blue paper shop towel to hold a nut in socket when working blind. Just fyi!
Thanks, saved me $100+ by not taking to dealership. Same issue with 2014 Outback. FYI, I dropped a bolt in hatch, closed the hatch and it fell out!
My local mechanic just tightened the 3rd brake light... I had suggested he might need to put some silicone on it because I had done a quick search on what the issue could be.
But now I will just do it myself and I know every step to take.
Perfectly explained. Very much appreciated.
Thank you, thank you. My 2012 Outback is suddenly showing water on the mat just like yours. I had no idea the culprit was the third break light. I am going to try to repair it as you did in your video. Thank you for taking the time to make a video and posting it on TH-cam.
Thank you for posting this! I was able to fix the same problem/leak on my 2013 outback through your demonstration!
AMAZING! Glad to help
Thank you! I just performed this repair on our own 2014 Subaru outback. Your video was super helpful in diagnosing and solving the problem. Thank you for your time and energy.
Me too, I just finished and I hope I sealed it correctly. Thanks!
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I actually have an old 2003 Subaru Outback Wagon with over 320,000 miles and always out in the weather, no garage and I just found the puddle of water in the exact same spot as yours and leaking from the same spot as well. Had no idea how water was getting in there. Never thought about the center brake light. Thanks again!
Those who already did this: does it work?
Just did this fix to mine, and wondering if there's anywhere else I need to check or patch.
Also gotta agree with everyone here: really appreciate your down-to-earth/wholesome manner in this video, sir. It was refreshing and reassuring reminder that good people are out there
This fix worked for my 2015 Subaru Impreza hatchback. Only difference was my light had two clips on the left and right that needed to pushed in from the interior to release it. I used the same sealant in the video and it worked out perfectly. No water in the trunk after a big storm.
RTV will work great until you need to remove the light. Black Form A Gasket might be a better choice. You want the old gasket to release or split next time again. RTV is an adhesive material. For the truly cautious, you can pack the thing in wheel bearing grease or Valvoline synthetic grease. It will stop the water and release next time. I used Form-A-Gasket. It stays pliable.
My car had the right nut completely off and in the black trim piece rusting away in a puddle of trapped slightly acidic water.
Great detective work 'Horn Family Adv.' Great tip! ! !
Thank you sir. Add me to the list of 2014 owners that was finding spots and drips of water, but for some reason I kept blaming it on the drip edge of the lid when opening it... Till I noticed one day the actual water dripping down the glass.
Have a liberty wagon 2010 in Australia. Your video confirmed my suspicion.
My '14 Outback had the same problem. Followed this video exactly and the leak is gone. Thanks so much!
Thank you I have same problem with my Subaru 2014 OB. I will check it out tomorrow. You sound just like my step brother who fixes cars for a living!
Great video followed the exact same steps great result no leaks!
You are THE man!! Thank you SO much for posting this!!
This video is a gift that keeps giving. Finally completed repair, waiting for silicone to bond.
I just wish I bought the new light assembly instead of cleaning it. This endeavor has been a bitch.
Also, use disposable gloves when using silicone adhesive. It's obvious, but I thought I'm gonna be slick and accurate. I wasn't
Thank you for doing this video. My outback had the exact same problem. I enjoyed your energy in the video! Thanks!
Great video thanks for sharing .......... finding the cause of the problem is the best thing and how to remove the light ........... one note I may add I am not going to use the adhesive sealant it would be good to use (Self Sealing Adhesive Tape) for future you may need to remove the light ..........thanks again
Same problem in my 2010 liberty wagon. Brisbane Australia. You confirmed my suspicion. Great video
Always best to watch someone do it first. Love your work.
My outback started leaking a couple of months ago. Also a 2014. Thank you for the diy video
Definitely get this problem on really intense, rainy days. Looking forward to trying it out, to see how well it works. Thanks for the video 👍🏻
Thanks for the video- made my attempt much easier as I am a visual learner. Got the black silicone all over my hands multiple times so I'm envious of your skills/cleanup phase, because I made a mess! Twice because I forgot to connect the electric, ha!
Glad I could help!
Need to do this exact same fix on my wife's '14 Outback. Thanks for the walkthrough.
Thanks for the video. I, too, have a 2014 that has leaked back there, but until now didn't know where the leak was originating from. I'll check mine out based on your help!
vid was definitely what i was looking for and my adhesive gasket was shot. 3rd light was even missing a nut like someone below. unfortunately i still have a pretty active leak after full black silicone treatment. i have all my plastic off and still can't find the entry point of the water. it is still leaking at the same spots on both sides, right where the left and right top trim pieces join.
Thank you soooo much, that was exactly what the problem is on my 2013 Outback. Thank you for taking the time Sir
You are welcome
Same issue with 2014 O/B 3rd brake light leaking water. Gasket is not sold separately. Bought a tube of clear silicone and ran a bead around the tailgate as well as the light fixture itself. haven't had a leak since.
Going to do this now, as i have the same issue and it has caused mold on the rear carpet. I will be using G&E Supreme Silicon clear though. Will update on results in a few weeks 😊. P.S. thanks for the video and hopefully this is the issue.
Your Welcome! and Good Luck
Came back to confirm this was the issue, and the clear silicone worked perfectly! I did exactly what was in the video, and I also added some on the outside. It's clear, so you don't even see it. I did have to deep clean and extract the rear carpet as it smelled like a dead animal 😅
I found this while looking for the answer to wind rattle/shudder on the sunroof (2011 outback), but I have this problem too! Thanks for post!
I had the same problem, i put a bead of clear silicone along the outside of the front edge of the brake light, seems to be working, ill see if those nuts are loose tho, good video!
Okay, follow up, I used some windex and acetone to clean, also went with clear silicone cause mine is silver. Thanks so much again 👍👍👍
Total cost, $7 and very little labor
My 2012 just started leaking. I will be using this technique. Thank you!
Just started on my 2012 Outback too🤣 So weird that its just the driver’s side crack. Any luck with it/hows it holdin up?
@@calboese6355 no leaky
Thank you for making this video! My forester trunk just started leaking. I am going to try this and see if it fixes it
I have the same issue on my 2011 Outback. I have to wait for the rain to stop and will try your solution. Will let you know if it worked for me. Thanks for this video.
Thanks brother, my daughter's 2011 is leaking. Appreciate your video! Semper Fi!
Great video, thanks! I just bought the same car. It was raining inside, not good 😂
Really appreciate you making this video. It just starting raining in my area and noticed a puddle on the rear hatch sliding cover in my 2013 Impreza hatchback. Hoping we get a dry day soon so I can try this fix.
Thank you for this video! It was 100% our problem and I've done the fix now. Fingers crossed that it works!
Best video on how to fix the leak! I have a 2011Outback and it has the same leak. I know now how to fix it! Thanks!
Thank You for this video. I did this on my '13 Outback and no more leak
Good job on the fix. I did this once already on my 2011 Outback and it's leaking again. But I didn't silicone around the bolts. This time I will and maybe try some lock tight on the bolt / nut. Thanks for the thought. Also, I feel for you. typical Dad / Husband always under appreciated. lol
Thank you sir! I will get on my subaru first thing tomorrow!!
Thanks for making this video. I just took mine off and the right hand nut had actually fallen off and was sitting in the plastic trip panel when I took it off.
oh my god. thank you so much. I had the same issue. your video help me a lot.
My 2012 Outback has the same issue. I'm going to have to get on it since we have another storm coming our way. Good video. But I noticed your wife wasn't too keen on giving you props for that fix. What does a fella have to do?
Thank you very much!! I have 2 Outbacks. Both leaking. .
My 2013 Subaru outback is leaking lot of water in same place. I wonder if this technique solved this problem for good or not. Did others try this and it held up with no more water coming in?
Thankyou for this video. Helped me fix my outback
Thanks for sharing. Please add product used in the description
I just added it. Thanks!
My liberty my10 does the same leak.
By stormy weather or car wash
Sometimes both or left or right
Thank you
I tightened the bolts without removing and put clear silicone on the outside of the brake light and solved it at this time.
Thanks for your video.
Maybe I missed it but I was wondering how you knew water was coming in at the light?
I could see it though the lens of the light.
@@TheNextAdventureWeTri Thanks...not sure I understand though since the light is sealed.
Did not work for me....seems that water is getting between the red lens and the black housing allowing it to pass thru the connector opening into the trim. I see water under the red lens...I tried sealing the lens joint....hopefully that will work.
That black rtv was very difficult to remove.
Just started on my 2012 Outback so weird, just on the driver’s side crack the exact same way. I just installed an aftermarket backup cam and figured I screwed somethin up putting stuff back together. Got a flood warning tonight, so hoping this fix works or else i’m SOL
Let us know how it goes
I can't believe my 2020 touring XT also has this issue!
You're a saint. Thank you
My wife has this exact car. She loves it! Has the exact same problem! Lol.
Thanks for the video. Very informative and helpful. 👍
I've had this problem -could this also cause water in the rear floorboards?
Happening to me right now on my 2012 Outback been sitting out in the Hawaiian sun too long methinks 😂
Thanks man .gracias
Ditto what Nicholas Chan said! 💜
keep in mind that replacing that 3rd brake light (Because bulb) AFTER this fix will be extremely difficult as the Black silicone makes it a semi permanent installation.
Thanks for the info. I will post how it goes when I have to replace it.
Thank you!!
Is that a backup camera mounted underneath that upper brake light? Was that done by you?
It came with the car.
I believe that's the washer nozzle on the 3rd light The backup camera is mounted about the license plate.
@@MooseTurder oh I’m dumb, that makes way more sense haha. Thanks
What size socket/nut was it for those two bolts?
8mm
Thanks I have same problem
It was an easy fix. Have fun and thanks for watching. Let me know how it goes
My freaking subaru leaks from EVERYWHERE. This car has had more issues than any other car I've owned. Going back to a Honda or Toyota after this. Can't wait to get rid of it. 🙄🙄🙄
What model / year?
I had no water leak problem with a 2008 impreza hatch (but had engine problems)
I now have a 2011 outback & no leaks yet, the previous owner cracked the third brake light lens & I just need to change it 😅
I want to send you money for posting this. 😜. I can’t get anyone to fix it but Subaru and they are months out. Time to be handy! My windshield leaks to tho 😬
Glad I can help! Have fun
Exact! Thank you
Damn..., my XV has the same problem...
Gonna have some problems outback of these vehicles
Wear a mask, it is no joke. Thanks for the video
Come on, I can joke about it and you can to. I will wear a mask when I deem it appropriate.
@@TheNextAdventureWeTri You can joke all you want, I can make a serious comment when I would like too in reply. This is called civil discord. Simple.
@@judesmith3910 get over yourself
Wear a mask when he's by himself and with his family? No reason he should
Just a note since most country decided to use ad for other stufs & not for proper mask understanding.
You wear a mask to protect others from you. Not to protect you from others.
So when they ask for a mask somewhere, it's so you don't spit on all their stuffs :)
Outside, in your cars etc. You indeed don't need it :)
DO YOU EVER GET AROUND TO AN ACTUAL HATCH DOOR/GASKET FAIL TYPE OF LEAK?
I haven't the slightest idea what the hell you;re doing in this video that relates to a rear hatch water leak.