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!
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!!!
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!
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!
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.
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 RU-vid.
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.
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! 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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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!
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!
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 😅
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.
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?
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
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?
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.
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
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.
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 😬
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.
